If I thought the editor would let me get away with it, I could write the review for "Up" in six words: "It's a great film. See it."
But every review needs some explanation or credence to support the author's point.
Animation - Pixar in particular - now represents some of the best work happening in modern film, and I mean "film" in the truest sense of the word: plot, character development, great dialogue, a compelling story, a universal theme, an engaging experience, etc.
"Up" has all of these elements, and it should be noted it was featured on the opening night of this year's Cannes Film Festival - a first for an animated feature at a festival as well respected as Cannes.
Those too young to remember classic "screwball comedies" might miss some of the references here, and it does take a different turn on that classic formula. In the prototype pictures, it was usually a man and a woman. "It Happened One Night," "His Girl Friday" and Alfred Hitchcock's only comedy, "Mr. And Mrs. Smith," come to mind.
But the relationship here is between a 78-year-old curmudgeon and a wide-eyed innocent Boy Scout out to get his final merit badge - one for "helping an old person."
Young Russell is bound and determined to help the somewhat sour-on-the-surface Carl in order to get the merit badge that will elevate his status. The fact that Carl wants nothing of the sort is of little matter to the Boy Scout. Russell's innocence is pure, and his character is as compelling as Carl's seemingly sour old man.
But we see in the first segment of the film, done with precious little dialogue, Carl as a child and falling in love with, marrying, growing old with and finally losing his beloved Ellie.
In childhood, the two share a dream of becoming explorers and are fascinated by the newsreels featuring Charles Muntz, a world explorer who commands a wondrous airship.
After Carl and Ellie marry, their life becomes somewhat mundane and they settle into a life that is happy, even if they realize their dream of visiting Paradise Falls, a place they've seen in Muntz's travelogues, will never come true.
When Ellie passes away, Carl decides to take things in his own hands. He wants to realize his dream of travel and adventure and maybe not so much for him as for his soulmate passed.
He attaches hundreds of helium balloons to his house and young Russell - on a visit in pursuit of his merit badge - is along for the airlifted ride.
They are an unlikely pair off to Paradise Falls.
Along the way they meet a classic cartoon hound, Dug, and encounter the famed explorer Muntz.
Once inside Muntz's airship, they meet a pack of other dogs, less friendly than Dug, and the animation takes a bold step into fascination.
It wouldn't be fair to say how the film ends up. So I'll simply repeat my initial thought: "It's a great film. See it."
And I know I'll buy the DVD when it hits the shelves. If it's nominated for best picture (not best animated feature), no critic or movie lover will have a legitimate beef.
Jim Wunderle owns Wunderle Sound Services and is a Springfield freelance writer and musician. He can be reached at info@wunderlesound.com.
