Up 3D - 2009

The Pixar bandwagon continues apace with the latest effort Up, directed by Pete Doctor & Bob Peterson, sshowcasing yet more improvements in animation, and an adventurous, bold decision to include a OAP as the unlikely hero, Carl. The films opening is a belter. A montage which begins with a newsreel of explorer Charles Muntz, our hero's hero, before Carl, as a child, meets the love of his life Ellie. Through a heartwrenchingly simple yet beautiful 15 minute sequence we see their entire life and love; this rivals the opening act of Wall-E for more simblime piece of filmmaking Pixar has ever managed. Then comes the adventure for Carl, partnering him with young wilderneress adventurer Russell, as the two embark on a magical, fantastic journey to South America.

When Up begins it feels like the most ambitious and potentially dangerous example of Pixar's desire to be more than just children's animated fare, and Up also serves to highlight why all Pixar's competitors fall so short. This is mature, adult filmmaking of the highest order. Visual storytelling at its best, and every frame looks as good as any film ever made. There was another film which shares similar thematic and tonal points as Up, and as I was watching the film, transfixed by the endearing characters, I couldn't quite shake Clint Eastwood's recent Gran Torino out of my head. There too an aging, grumpy man takes a young Korean under his belt and together they form an unlikely friendship. Eastwood's film, trading on his reputation, ends with a more violent moment, but Up gives you more tension, suspense and downright fun. It is, quite clearly the better picture.

And yet, for everything that is brilliant about the film, there are still some elements which niggle. Despite its attempts at adult themes, and mature storytelling the film is never completely confident about abandoning its child audience and so we have talking dogs, a bright colourful sqawking bird and some scenes of utter childishness that you are left wonder if the projectionist hasn't accidently put on a reel of Ice Age 3 by mistake, so different in tone the second act feels from the first . Yet despite this the film is always funny, sometimes uncontrollably so. The film has more heart than 1oo shreks, and the visuals are so sumptuous it's impossible not to won over by the charm and style of Up.

The 3D also feels unintrusive yet integral to the narrative. Only Coraline thus far can claim to equal Up in that the 3D never distracts or throws you out of the story. Up is the only 3D film I have seen in which by the end I had completely forgotten the film was 3D, so immersed in the story and style.

Overall, Up feels like a slight step back from Wall-E and Ratatouille but the Pixar brand of near perfect animation doesn't look like slowing down, and with the more adult themes and tones Up is both ambitious and rewarding, if it can never fully commit being purely adult. By the films exhilarating climax you'll have forgotten all the little niggles which hinder the second act and realise Up is one of the freshest, most enjoyable and brilliant films of the year.