Up on DVD Today

UP (Two-Disc Deluxe Edition + Digital Copy) List Price: $39.99 Sale Price: $17.25 Used From: $16.97 Average Rating:

Description

Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios take moviegoers up, up and away on one of the funniest adventures of all time with their latest comedy-fantasy. Up follows the uplifting tale of 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. Their journey to a lost world, where they encounter some strange, exotic and surprising characters, is filled with hilarity, emotion and wildly imaginative adventure.

At a time when too many animated films consist of anthropomorphized animals cracking sitcom one-liners and flatulence jokes, the warmth, originality, humor, and unflagging imagination of Up feel as welcome as rain in a desert. Carl Fredericksen (voice by Ed Asner) ranks among the most unlikely heroes in recent animation history. A 78- year-old curmudgeon, he enjoyed his modest life as a balloon seller because he shared it with his adventurous wife Ellie (Ellie Docter). But she died, leaving him with memories and the awareness that they never made their dream journey to Paradise Falls in South America. When well-meaning officials consign Carl to Shady Oaks Retirement Home, he rigs thousands of helium balloons to his house and floats to South America. The journey's scarcely begun when he discovers a stowaway: Russell (Jordan Nagai), a chubby, maladroit Wilderness Explorer Scout who's out to earn his Elderly Assistance Badge. In the tropical jungle, Carl and Russell find more than they bargained for: Charles Muntz (Christopher Plummer), a crazed explorer whose newsreels once inspired Carl and Ellie; Kevin, an exotic bird with a weakness for chocolate; and Dug (Bob Peterson), an endearingly dim golden retriever fitted with a voice box. More importantly, the travelers discover they need each other: Russell needs a (grand)father figure; Carl needs someone to enliven his life without Ellie. Together, they learn that sharing ice-cream cones and counting the passing cars can be more meaningful than feats of daring-do and distant horizons. Pete Docter (Monsters, Inc. ) and Bob Peterson direct the film with consummate skill and taste, allowing the poignant moments to unfold without dialogue to Michael Giacchnio's vibrant score. Building on their work in The Incredibles and Ratatouille, the Pixar crew offers nuanced animation of the stylized characters. Even by Pixar's elevated standards, Up is an exceptional film that will appeal of audiences of all ages. Rated PG for some peril and action. --Charles SolomonStills from Up (Click for larger image)

DVD Information

Binding: DVD
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Brand: Buena Vista Home Video
Manufacturer: Disney*Pixar
Original Release Date: 2009-01-01
Actors:

• Edward Asner
• Jordan Nagai
• John Ratzenberger
• Christopher Plummer
• Bob Peterson

Reviews

Pixar has done it again. This along with the Incredibles are probably my two favorite Pixar movies. The first 15 minutes or so could have been a movie all by itself and would have been a fabulous short. Having Ed Asner as the voice was beautiful, his voice fit the role perfectly. The interaction between the characters was funny and touching. Our daughter who was 7 at the time of the movie did find a couple of scenes with the dogs and chases that were a bit too intense for her, however she did find some of the other scenes funny. She didn't enjoy the 3D quite as much due to having to wear the glasses. I saw it in 3D at the theater and loved the sense of immersion that provided rather than an "in you face" 3D experience. The Blu-ray quality is fabulous and having the digital copy and DVD for use on the go are great. If you haven't seen this movie it is definitely worth seeing!

We were prepared for a "cute" story with a chubby little boy and a crusty old man. No one told us we would shed tears during this cartoon! Beautiful story about loss and letting go. What a sweet and funny and poignant DVD. Have the Kleenex near by.

Paid extra for an all region blu-ray DVD player that would let me enjoy DVDs from other countries. Worked a treat for a while letting me enjoy shopping on Amazon.com. Unfortunately, three of the last seven US blu-ray titles that I purchased have been spiked to stop them playing on all region blu-ray players from overseas. Fortunately this set includes a regular DVD that I can still play. This means that although I paid for blu-ray quality, I have to be content just watching UP in standard definition. I guess the message is clear. My all region blu-ray player has now stopped being an all region player for new releases and I won't be able to shop on Amazon.com for Blu-rays any more..... Globalisation may be all the go, but Blu-rays are going backwards on the regionalisation trail !

Just another reason why this style of animation relies heavily on action, sound effects, one line punch lines (that generally don't work), and high tech for results. Not to mention deep moments of sentiment to explore the wonderful world of computer animation. In spite of all the brouhaha, I cannot be driven to float away with other reviews so easily. My biggest complaint with the latest animated movies is not style, dynamics, or ideas, but humor. This movie did not make me laugh or captivate my wonder. Plotline: Man loses spouse, ends up in depair, finds escape from reality through balloon mounted home, and finds unecessary adventure with a stowaway. Moral is, I dont dont think there is one unless old folks can find adventure if they leave the old homestead. The recipes are there with the old man's continuous looks of surprise, and the kids obnoxious behavior, with being a kid as a major excuse. The big bird is unlikeable, and the dogs I think Ive seen before, probably in Oliver & Company. This movie will never end up in my sentimental file when the strings pulling it are as hard as the balloon strings pulling the house.

I was starting to worry about the Disc getting to me for my Grand-Daughter's Christmas gift--it arrived in time--was in great condition--and ALL enjoyed--thanks--thanks--thanks--will do biz again for sure!