Now, I don’t think it was the most entertaining, mind you.  That would have to go to Ratatouille for my money.  Very close though.  But geez…have you heard the reports of the people crying within the first 20 minutes?  What kids movie does that people?

This one.  And it is very, very good.

It is rated a whooping PG, hang on for a ride!

I still kinda go through an emotional rollercoaster throughout the entirity of this track. And it is strange.  The part that gets to most people…we know its coming.  You can’t have avoided the trailers for Up…and when people see the Married Montage unfold, we know where it is headed.  It still wrenches our emotions….along with the trailer cutting up just exactly the circumstances of Carl deciding it was time to go on an adventure.  Up, literally, doesn’t take off for for quite a chunk of the movie, but it works fantastically.

Carl was the reason I wanted to see the movie.  I’m not sure if that’s true for most.  I loved his crumedgy-ness that the trailers expressed.  In that, he didn’t disappoint. Gruff and endearing, and perfectly voiced by Edward Asner who I still think of fondly as Lou from the Mary Tyler Moore show. You need a guy who can pull off the grumpy old man talk and tenderly…and in Mr. Asner I trust.  In fact, all the voicework stood out…but none so much as the lead character.

Another thing that really worked in its favor, I think Pixar found a great way of making a movie with a minimum of dialogue in Wall*E.  But in a movie that is often about solitude and loneliness, they manage to keep up the pace of the movie and find other vehicles for moving things along.  Well done again Pixar, I tip my cap.

I suppose I already touched on the soundtrack…but I really do enjoy it.  Particularlly the main theme is very simple, and often repeated, but never over used or inappropriately used.  Of all of Pixar’s work, the score for this movie was the best.

The narrative is where this movie shines though.  Through touching moments, comedic moments, and everything in-between, the movie plots along with less of a over-handed moral than Wall*E.  As far as I’m concerned, that’s great.  While there are strong, central themes to this movie that are very much note worthy, they are more general and less political than Wall*E.  In fact, the only thing that I would question was that some of the central themes are very, very heavy…and its a kids movie.  But I can’t genuinely question this, as I couldn’t help but look around me and try to gauge the interest of the surrounding kids in the theatre.  They were all enthralled.  And why not?  It’s a brightly colored movie with plenty of cheery moments to go along with the heartbreaking bomb shell they start the movie with.  So I guess I can’t have a legitimate complaint on that note.  There are actually MANY moments that could get people choked up though.  And they do.  Carl and his company are all too easy to relate to in terms of their highs and lows…and the movie draws you into those highs and lows.  You get caught up.  We are constantly bombarded with hope and disappointment.  And of course, squirrels.  Good times, good times.

I wish I could put my finger on what it was that truly makes this movie outstanding.  The relatability surely scores high.  The comedy is great.  Characters are great, in particular the antagonist and Carl.  Everything is…great.  And it almost shocks me.  In a world of easy money grabs, particularly for summer kids movies, that Pixar once again steps up to the plate and delivers a movie that currently ranked in IMDBs top 20 (atleast today) and has one of the most insane Metacritic scores I’ve ever seen.  Nothing in the red.  So much green.  Sooooo much green.

Again, if this is spoilerish, I’m shocked…but this paragraph will talk about previous Pixar movies with a few early spoilers.  Both Finding Nemo and this movie pretty much start with the death of a could-have-been-leading female character.  My buddy Matt pointed this out to me, and it got me curious.  The only two Pixar movies that I have are Ratatouille and and…well, I guess I don’t have UP yet, but I will.  So for anyone of you with a bit larger of a collection, refresh my memory…how does Monsters Inc start, or The Incredibles?  Does Pixar actually have a morbid tone to the beginnings of many of their movies?

Two final thoughts.  An article that is very touching.  Thanks Anne.

Also, I’ve heard mixed reports from people about whether or not they thought the 3D was worth it.  I’m firmly in the “very much worth it” camp.  Drive a little farther if you have to, spend a little more if you have to, but check this one out in 3D.  Pixar’s attention to detail is apparent, and a great great to us viewers.  So if you haven’t seen this movie yet, you are only cheating yourself.  Plus, its easier to pretend you aren’t crying.  Not that I had to worry about such things…>cough<…anyway.

Again, I find myself behind on the times and talking about a movie that everyone has already been talked to death about.  This is what happens when you start a second blog…but that one has already run its course.  So I’m going to stop talking and you should go see this fine craft of a movie.  Find a little cousin or someone to take with you if you are feeling weird about it being a “kids” movie.  But go see it.  Right now.  I don’t care that its summer and nice outside.  Bike to the movies if that is the case.  But if you haven’t seen this, you are missing the movie of the summer, as well as what should be a no-brainer for Best Animated Feature come Oscar season.