Up: 3D

Pixar doesn't make mistakes. Some of the most memorable, quotable, lovable characters in recent cinema history have come from Pixar movies. The company prides itself on storytelling (the foundation of what would eventually become Walt Disney's empire and legacy) and clearly pours heaping spoonfulls of love into their artistry and character development. I'm never disappointed and I never know exactly what to expect. "Up" is a quieter more serious Pixar creation. It's main protagonist is an older gentleman and like "The Incredibles" and "Wall-E" the film's themes are very adult. Yet somehow, the appeal to children is still there. Our hero's sidekick is a sprightly young Boy Scout-ish little tyke who will stop at nothing until he has performed his duties. The film is gloriously beautiful in 3D with colors literally popping off of the screen.

"Up" seems to rely on recent pop culture references more directly than its predecessors, which was my only complaint. Looking at Pixar's complete body of work, postmodernism is either at the forefront of the tale ("Toy Story") or it's subtly sprinkled as a bonus for the more savvy viewer ("Finding Nemo"). Instead in "Up" there are strange homages to "Star Wars" and other films that seem like gags that won't hold up over time.

All in all, "Up" is a lovely treat and I highly recommend seeing it in 3D if it's playing in your area. "Partly Cloudy", the short that opens the film is a gem as well.