Opening Day: 6 August 2009

Synopsis:

From Disney•Pixar comes “Up,” a comedy adventure about 78-year-old balloon salesman Carl Fredricksen, who finally fulfills his lifelong dream of a great adventure when he ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies away to the wilds of South America. But he discovers all too late that his biggest nightmare has stowed away on the trip: an overly optimistic 8-year-old Wilderness Explorer named Russell. From the Academy Award®-nominated director Pete Docter (Monsters, Inc.), Disney•Pixar’s “Up” invites you on a hilarious journey into a lost world, with the least likely duo on Earth.

Movie Review:

"Sometimes it's the boring stuff I remember most."

With an affecting quote like that, we are thankful that amidst the summer blockbuster brouhaha, there are still movies that touch our hearts.

And there you have it, it’s that time of the year again - the annual Disney/ Pixar movie event when viewers young and old anticipate what the geniuses behind the animation honchos have in store for them. Having already booked a place in the 2009 Top 10 Movies List, this Pete Doctor and Bob Peterson directed charmer will leave you impressed – and wanting to step out of your routine life to experience the adventure you have only dreamed of.

If you do not already know by now (thanks to the decent marketing efforts of the distributors), the icon of the movie is a house tied with thousands of colourful balloons. You would be labeled as a scraggy scrooge if you said you were not the least bit fascinated by the idea of flying away in this imaginative mode of transport. And this 96 minute voyage will be one journey you’d never forget.

With a story that only the ingenious minds behind all time favourites like Cars (2006), Ratatouille (2007) and Wall.E (2008) can come up with, our protagonist this time round is a young boy who meets an adventurous and spirited young girl a young girl. They both dream of going to place only known as Paradise Falls, located in South America. Fast forward 70 years later, the old man remembers the promise he made to his deceased wife. In a dramatic turn of events, he flies away in his house. Going along for the ride is a young boy who just wants to get an adventurer badge by assisting the elderly. What they d not expect are talking dogs, a rare bird by the name of Kevin, and something all movies have – an evil villain.

You really have to give it to the creative storytellers who are able to include so many elements into a family picture. And one that sustains your interest level from start to finish too. The agreeable tale is nicely complemented by the ever evolving and wondrous technology which creates characters and objects that are both captivating and pleasurable to watch. See for yourself how the balloons float into the blue sky, how the house travels to an exotic land full of astounding discoveries, and how the very likeable characters (how can anyone not fall in love with the spot on pairing of a round nosed American old man and round faced Asian boy?) constantly engage you with their crisply written dialogue.

Not many people may have heard of Edward Asner, Jordan Nagai and Bob Peterson, but these are the voice actors who bring the very entertaining movie to life. This goes to prove that you do not need big names to plaster on your promotional poster before audiences are willing to pay for that movie ticket. With a music score composed by up and coming Oscar nominee Michael Giacchino (Ratatouille), you will be brought on an expedition filled with fun, peril, excitement and danger. Hang on tight as the flying house gets lost in the atmosphere! Gape in awe as a colourful bird tower over out heroes! Watch out as the villainous canines fire their airplane guns!

And like all our favourite Disney/ Pixar hits, this latest movie has lots of heart. No amount of words we pen here can describe the emotions you will feel while watching this well made picture. You’ll walk out of the theatre, realising that it is the littlest things which make the biggest impact.

Movie Rating:



(Get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey you have only dreamed of)

Review by John Li