The scene where the house is floating away is one of the movie's most sumptuous visuals. Even with glorious attention to detail, the Pixar crew proves a lot can be done with a very little as the film's "set" is probably the most simple one they've created to date.

Story-wise, what eventually follows is a delightfully entertaining and wildly inventive adventure that really takes off once that aforementioned boy scout, a tubby little kid named Russell (Jordan Nagai) unexpectedly joins Carl for the wild and crazy ride. Determined to earn his badge for helping the elderly, Russell annoys the fire out of Carl at first. But once the duo arrive in South America, well, they're quite the irresistible team. Russell becomes the son that Carl never had, and Carl becomes the father figure that Russell has always lacked in his life.

To say much more would inevitably rob you of the rest of Up's undeniable pleasures. But I will say two things in closing:  1) You've been warned, bring a tissue and 2) This movie is going to land on many critics' "Best of 2009" lists. Yes, Pixar soars yet again with Up.

CAUTIONS:

• Drugs/Alcohol:  None.
• Language/Profanity:  None.
• Sex/Nudity:  None.
• Violence:  There are a couple of fight scenes that are more comedic than violent. 
• Thematic Material:  Up is not your typical slap-happy kids' movie. As part of the Carl's backstory during what's essentially a tear-inducing falling-in-love montage, we learn that Carl's wife experienced a miscarriage and later dies. 
  
    

Christa Banister is a full-time freelancer writer, specializing in music, movies and books-related reviews and interviews and is the author of two novels, Around the World in 80 Dates and Blessed Are the Meddlers. Based in St. Paul, Minn., she also weighs in on various aspects of pop culture on her personal blog. 

For more information, including her upcoming book signings and sample chapters of her novels, check out her Website.