Pixar won’t go down

By the time Pixar released its fifth feature in 2003, Finding Nemo, it had already become an axiom that every film produced by Pixar will invariably strike gold. Now the invincible computer-animation company has released its tenth film, Up, and the general truth remains evident: Pixar doesn’t know how to fail. Up is an endearingly old-fashioned adventure bolstered by the kind of shrewd slapstick choreography that the classic cartoons of the 1950s thrived on. It’s also disarmingly poignant. It tells the story of a grumpy old man, Carl Fredricksen, who tries to keep the spirit of his dead wife alive by reigniting the thing that brought them together: a fervent desire to explore the unknown. Determined to vanquish the festering loneliness in his heart, the reclusive Fredricksen ties thousands of balloons to his house and lifts off towards South America. Up in the air, the old man discovers a cherubic little Asian kid named Russell who has inadvertently tagged along for the ride. It soon becomes clear that the true journey is the budding friendship between the two explorers. Up is a prodding reminder that no matter how old you are, you’ll always be a kid looking for a new adventure.

Grade: A-