Up (PG, 2009)

I really wanted to love the new Pixar movie but I couldn't. The main characters seem to be in peril for almost the entire movie. It isn't the edge of your seat action peril, but rather life/death jeopardy. Between the killer dog pack (Why did Pixar have to make them so menacing especially with glowing red eyes, considering this movie is directed at children, I do not know. They were scary enough as a dog pack.), the menacing antagonist, Muntz, and all the scary scenes that the protagonists, Carl and Russell, almost die in. I understand there needed to be suspense but it could have been handled a little better, considering the audience it is directed at. My 5 year old was really sad at the beginning, with the dragged out scenes where Ellie dies. Yes, we need to understand why Carl moves the house but I felt like this lead up was better suited for an older audience. Muntz is just nasty. He has no regard for anyone but himself. He tries to kill Carl and Russell a couple of times. I just think Pixar could have made his character not so rough around the edges, and he still would have been the bad guy. It would have been nice for Carl and Russell to have more scenes developed where they bond more together (not just over avoiding death). My 5 year old liked the movie, but didn't love it. It was too scary for our 3 year old. Yes, "Up" has some cute moments but not enough to become a staple like "Cars". Honestly, I don't think we will buy this Pixar movie, which will be a first.

Very sweet movie but very sad. The wife's death in the beginning upset my six year old and he missed most of the other messages. While many Disney movies involve the death of a character, for some reason, this one seemed to stand out more than some others, like Finding Nemo. Probably because the main character spends most of the movie grieving for her. There are positive message but not good for a six year old. Good movie for older kids.

i brought my 6 year old to this movie. first off it was depressing and sad with adult life situations that were above his head. I thought some of the images were scary and inappropriate. He liked it, but didn't really understand it. my friends 5 year old was traumatized by some of the sad and scary animal scenes not a child's movie at all, in my opinion.

I took my 4 year old to see this film and while essentially he had an OK time he really didn't understand much of the VERY complicated plot. The film is beautifully made but VERY sad (eg. couple who love each other dearly cannot have children, elderly man yearns for dead wife) and quite scary in the scenes with the dogs. It is not a film that makes children laugh (and infact made me cry quite a bit) and the plot is just so elaborate that I doubt many under 8s will really understand who is who and what is happening. I would not recommend this to anyone looking for a fun trip to the cinema with an under 8.

Good movie, but I should have read the reviews first. My 3-year-old clung to me the whole time--everything from the leaf blower (too loud) to the fire, the storm, the falling, and explaining death...however, my two-year-old seemed to like it alright. Guess it depends on your kids.

One of the best Pixar flicks. Everyone one who watches will feel like Disney hasn't lacked on it's reputation on good quality movies. I recently saw it with about 200 other kids at a school thing and not one laugh was spared from a single person. Parents will be pleased to know this movie is very kid-friendly and acceptable to most age groups. A talk about dyeing may be needed before watching, because of how the love of Carl Fredricks life dies in the begging (of old age). Carl gets a tad bit violent for a second in the begging when he gets in an argument with a construction worker and bonks on the head with his cane. Unlike most movies, his actions are not excused as an ambulence has to come and Mr. Fredrickson is forced to move into a retirement home (which he ends up backing out of, but it still shows kids bad actions will not go without punishment.)

This move is one of the best I've ever watched. It does a fantastic job of encompassing every age group to tell a story of the truly important things in life, and to warn us that we might miss out on them if we're too wrapped up in pursuing our dreams. Life is now...not later. There are some laugh-out-loud moments, scary elements, and very touching scenes. I think they were a little "out there" with the dogs, but...hey. It's all a little "out there". ;) (I mean...flying a house with a bunch of balloons?) Other than some of the scarier scenes with the dogs and Mr. Muntz it's A-okay. All in all, a fantastic movie.

We previewed this one to see if it would be appropriate for our 7 and 9-year-olds. We were pretty appalled by the scenes in which the kids are being shot at using an automatic weapon and are in danger of being pushed out of a plane. We've decided our kids don't need to see this one.

One of the most heart felt, well developed animated movies to be out in a very long time. Some of the subject matter was touchy and was handled without words, but with such compassion that my children felt the emotions without having to deal with dialogue that might have been disturbing or confusing. Some scary moments with trained dogs and mortal danger for the main characters, but not so scary that my 7 yr old was too disturbed; younger kids might find it more upsetting. A childhood hero falls from his pedestal (though it's a good talking point about how idols are people, too, and that a book shouldn't always be judged by its cover). Overall, the positive messages of the story (all people are valuable, friendship and love comes in all forms, importance of family and of being accepted as you are, and how love, even when bittersweet, has a chance to conquer all) makes this a definite must add to any DVD collection.