Up

Without a doubt, Up from Disney/Pixar is the best animated movie so far this year. Pete Docter and Bob Peterson wrote and directed this story about the lifelong bond between Carl Fredericksen (voiced by Ed Asner) and his wife Ellie, begun when they were children and both entranced by a 1930s newsreel chronicling the exploits of explorer Charles Muntz (Christopher Plummer). Believing “adventure is out there,” Carl and Ellie always dreamed of visiting Paradise Falls in the rainforest of South America, where Muntz had retreated in his dirigible after one of his archeological discoveries was declared a fraud. But Ellie died before the couple ever made the trip, and at 78, retired balloon seller Carl has grown cantankerous. But Carl soon embarks on an unusual journey: attaching thousands of helium-filled balloons to his house, the septuagenarian soars up, up, and away--only to discover a stowaway aboard: pesky eight-year old Russell (Jordan Nagai), a Wilderness Explorer Scout determined to earn his Elderly Assistance badge. Where they go, how they get there, and what they discover makes Up a sheer delight. A terrific, fun-filled ride, this is highly recommended. Editor's Choice. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include the animated shorts “Partly Cloudy” (6 min.) and “Dug's Special Mission” (5 min.), as well as (on both the two-disc deluxe DVD edition and Blu-ray version) the character and production featurettes “Russell: Wilderness Explorer,” “Our Giant Flightless Friend, Kevin,” “Composing for the Characters,” “Geriatric Hero,” “Canine Companions,” “Homemakers of Pixar,” and “Balloons and Flight” (50 min.), the “Adventure is Out There” making-of featurette (23 min.), the alternate scenes “Married Life” (9 min.) and “The Many Endings of Muntz” (5 min.), a promo montage (6 min.), and a bonus digital copy of the film. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are a Cine-Explore visual commentary featuring director Peter Docter and co-director and writer Bob Peterson, and the “Global Guardian Badge” geography game, as well as a bonus DVD version of the film. Bottom line: an excellent extras package for one of 2009's best films.] (S. Granger)