Christmas Gift Idea for families

I have been a Pixar fan since the first time that I saw the short film of the old man playing checkers by himself.   The new movie, UP, released on November 10th on Blu-Ray and DVD has far exceeded any expectation that I had about the newest Pixar release.

Here is a synopsis of UP:

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.

There is also lots of Bonus features:

BONUS FEATURES FOR UP

• Commentary by director Pete Docter and co-director Bob Peterson.
• Dug’s Special Mission – An all new original short film that follows the misadventures of Dug as he attempts to complete his “special mission.” The short is directed by UP Story Supervisor, Ronnie Del Carmen.
• The Many Endings of Muntz – Many ideas were hatched about how to dispose of the film’s arch villain, Muntz, and now viewers can see the many alternate endings proposed during story development.
• Partly Cloudy–The hilarious short film that preceded screenings of UP.  Everyone knows that the stork delivers babies, but where do the storks get the babies? The answer lies up in the stratosphere where the cloud Gus is a master at creating “dangerous” babies, which prove to be more than a handful for his loval delivery stork Peck. Directed by Pixar story artist, animator and voice actor Peter Sohn.
• Adventure is Out There– This action-packed documentary tells the story of the filmmakers’ own trek to the tepuis mountains of South America to research the design and story of the film.

My husband and I loved this movie.  We were in tears (yes, I said we – but please don’t tell him I told you) within the first 5 minutes of the movie.  It is so touching, and really hit home with us – I don’t want to give it away.  After the movie was over, I asked my husband if he cried during the movie, and he said “you would have to be a zombie not to cry at this movie”.  UP kept me reaching for the tissue a few more times throughout the show, but it also made me laugh.  Overall, it is a feel good movie – about life.  After the movie was over, my husband and I also had discussion about what we want to do with our lives, and living life now – not waiting ’till we retire.

My favourite character has to be sweet little Russel who ends up on this adventure by chance.  The boyscout/” short mailman” is so innocent and despite Carl not really wanting anyone with him on his adventure, they end up being best friends.  Russell really needs Carl and Carl, who just lost his wife, needs Russell.

My favourite part of the movie UP was the “Married Life” Scene, it was so well created as a quick glimpse into the lives of Ellie and Carl as they grew old together.

The bonus features are great too, I liked watching how babies are made in “Partly Cloudy”.  Life as a stork that has to drop off baby alligators and porkupines is difficult – but funny for us to watch.

UP is a wonderful family friendly movie that everyone will enjoy – even Dad’s.  Now that I know what to expect with this movie, I will have the tissue ready to go.

Buy it: To Purchase UP, visit Amazon