UP

I have always expected a Disney/Pixar movie to be visually entertaining and exciting. They always produce superior quality to every animation they offer to the public. Everything is done meticulously. The movie is almost life-like.

Almost always too, a Disney/Pixar movie touches the hearts of both its young and adult audience. To me, they never fail. Among their movies, I love Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo and Cars. UP will be an addition.

What I never expected from UP is the quite heavy emotional presentation of the first few minutes of the film. Well yes, there were the brothers and sisters of Nemo, including her mother, eaten by a large fish. That was sad. Nemo was left without a mother but a very loving father, albeit overprotective, cared for him.

UP took us to a journey of two bright-eyed kids from their childhood to their young life up to the last moments of their lives - childless, the wife passed away leaving his husband alone after being together almost all their lives. It was both heartwarming and heartbreaking to watch. Imagine the silent heaves and sighs of the dads and moms watching the movie.

One scene still unexpected was the old man, Mr. Carl Fredricksen, hitting a man on the head because he accidentally bumped the mail box which served as one of the many memories of his wife. There was blood. Ooh. The adventure unfolded from this scene.

The government asked Mr. Carl to sell his house and live in a retirement house. That just couldn't happen. Off he set-up his house with thousands of colorful helium balloons, fly and live the adventure his wife had always wanted to fulfill. She actually wanted to build their house atop a waterfall in South America.

Enter the adorable boy, Russel. Oh boy, he's such a cutie you want to cuddle him. I love his voice and the his antics. I love how passionate he is with his role as a Junior Wilderness Explorer. Mr. Carl's trip to South America was so much fun because of this spunky little boy, the dog named Dug, the chocolate-loving bird named Kevin. She's a female by the way.

Marvel at the visuals but all the more marvel about rediscovering life's adventures, the joy of fulfilling a promise, giving a helping hand to those in need and welcoming other people in your life. Life goes on, life is good. UP is humor and heart.