Animations, generally thought to be created for children often include characters that depict the elderly as wise supporting actors. The House of Pixar, makers of the movie Toy Story, has UP the anti with their latest film, UP, whose hero is an older person. This timely animation creatively defies the barriers of age. Events through the story offer a warm chronicle of real life transitions with elements of fantasy which servers to engage the interest of children, while at the same time; adult viewers can’t help but appreciate the grains of truth the ring loud and clear.

Main character, a feisty Carl Fredricksen (voiced by Ed Asner), marries a gap-toothed tomboy named Ellie. Well matched, our loving pair suffers a terrible grief yet together grows into contented old age. Their life is recounted in a beautiful miniature of compression. Carl becomes a widower “stranded in loneliness” and when building developers come knocking he is expected to give up his martial home and move into a retirement home. 

Carl’s cantankerous spirit is not having any part of such nonsense. Yearnings for an adventure cause him to retaliate and he instead embarks upon a journey taking his soon to be demised home with him. He attaches a tutti-frutti bouquet of helium balloons to the house which send him UP toward the clouds. Unbeknownst to Carl, he has a nine-year-old stowaway named Russell aboard whose intention was to earn an “Assisting the Elderly” badge of merit. The unlikely companions find themselves on an adventure beyond their wildest dreams.

Images blend fantasy and the perils of elderly life together, bringing a tangled mixture of humour and compassion. UP is a buoyant film filled with thrills and spills, while at the same time is anchored in the acceptance of mortality. This rollercoaster ride will leave everyone on an up, even those of us who've crested the apex and now, like Carl, see life's curve heading all the way down.

A great film to share and enjoy with grandchildren