loved it!
Up
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Pixar's stunning 3-D adventure is an upper for everyone.
Themes in this movie include: friendship, loss
updated 09.25.09
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 6 and Up
The good stuff
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Role models:
What to watch out for
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Violence & scariness:
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Sexy stuff:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Up was written by Sandie Angulo Chen
Parents need to know that this is the second Pixar movie (after The Incredibles) to receive a PG rating, mostly due to a few potentially frightening scenes involving a band of trained talking dogs trying to get rid of the protagonists, some moments where characters almost fall from a floating house, and some guns firing. It's also the first Pixar movie in 3-D, and as such there are images that jump out from the screen that could frighten the very young. That said, it's Disney/Pixar, so the violence is mild. And there's no offensive language, consumerism, or sexuality.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about the movie's central relationship between Carl and Russell. What does the movie have to say about multi-generational friendships?
- What does a young boy teach an elderly man, and vice versa?
- Kids: What kind of adventures do you dream of having?
Have you seen it? Review It!
More on Up
What’s the Story?
Septuagenarian Carl Fredricksen (voiced by Ed Asner) and his wife Ellie had a shared dream since childhood: to visit exotic Paradise Falls in South America, a place the once-famous explorer Charles Muntz (Christopher Plummer) claimed was the most beautiful in the world. After Ellie dies, Carl decides to make his beloved late wife's dream come true and unveils hundreds of helium balloons to fly his house to Paradise Falls. Unbeknownst to Carl, a young Wildlife Explorer scout named Russell (Justin Nagai) is along for the ride. When they finally arrive, the odd couple discovers that Muntz is more interested in killing an elusive rare bird than living in paradise.
Is It Any Good?
After nine films, Pixar's legend is well known. It's the only studio with a perfect record both commercially (each of its releases has grossed more than $150 million) and critically. UP is no exception on the latter front, and considering the demand for family entertainment, it's sure to be a big hit money-wise, too. In Up, Pixar has brought to life a multi-generational odd couple in a film that's visually stunning, surprisingly touching, and unsurprisingly delightful.
The beginning of the film is an unexpected tearjerker following the entire marriage -- from first sight to widowhood -- of adventurous-at-heart Carl and Ellie Fredricksen. But he bulk of the story, as the trailer promises, is Carl and Russell's amazing skyward journey to Paradise Falls. Above the gorgeous and colorful animated vistas, Pixar's astonishing achievement is the sweet, funny, lasting relationship that it's odd-couple heroes share.
Movie Details
Studio: Pixar Animation Studios, Director: Pete Docter
Run time: 98 minutes
Theatrical release: 5/29/2009, DVD release: 11/10/2009
MPAA Rating: PG for some peril and action
Run time: 98 minutes
Theatrical release: 5/29/2009, DVD release: 11/10/2009
MPAA Rating: PG for some peril and action
Our Members Say
See all 260 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
grate movie
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I rate this title iffy for age 4 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
Sad and too complicated
I didn't enjoy this movie. I found the storyline sad (and hard for children to understand). The character of Carl is so harsh...the movie itself has too many violent/scary parts (4 year old covering his eyes/ears = bad in my book). I think the movie could have been a lot more fun - but its weighed down by a story that's too heavy, even for a million helium balloons to carry.
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I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
iffy for ages 10-
I think it's full of strong emotions.
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I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
sad but sweet little movie
it was a downer at first, then UP UP UP :) great little show, freaking tear jerker for everyone watching it so might be a little hard on some kids, so still good to have parents nearby, but a really nice movie overall.
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I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
ONE OF THE BEST MOVIES OF THE YEAR!!!!!
ONE OF THE BEST MOVIES OF THE YEAR!!!! Perfect to watch with ur family. This movie is not only funny but, it has cute morals and it expresses a lesson. This movie is totally worth the watch so don't miss it!!!!!! NICE MOVIE!!!!!!! HOPE THEY'LL MAKE MORE LIKE IT!!!!!!!!
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I rate this title iffy for age 6 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Fantastic Pixar.
I absolutely love this movie. I thought it was just ging to be another dumb kids movie, but it was actually really smart, funny, and touched my heart. It has so much adventure and nice characters. It teaches kids that it is good to explore and be yourself. The only reason mark it as "iffy" is because in the beginning, Ellie loses a child and dies of old age later on.
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
Up is a little too Down
I'm a total wus when it comes to movies. I don't know why, that's just the way it is. I cried more than once during this movie. It's a great little story, but pretty grown up in it's content. Not in an "inappropriate for kids" kind of way, there's just some really heavy subjects presented in Up. I was surprised. Overall I think it was extremely well done. I'll give it 5 stars (and I don't think I've rated ANYthing 5 stars on this site yet), but I don't think I'll be seeing Up again. I'm just too soft and I don't like watching movies that make me sad. I should note that the movie does have a happy ending though. My wife and I were crying and smiling at the same time. (I'm such a wus...)
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I rate this title iffy for age 7 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
Too sad for my boys
My wife and I really enjoyed the movie, but both of our boys found it too sad and aren't interested in watching it again.
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I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Emotional ride, but fantastic for almost everybody
As all Pixar films, Up is fantastic. Pixar differs from most other animated Disney films in that their stories have real substance and depth. That said, Up is a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, more so than other Pixar films. It is truly sad in parts, then funny, then sad again, then heartwarming. Of my family of four who watched it, my wife had a hardest time just because it was such an emotional movie for her. But that is one thing that makes it a truly powerful film, and not just eye candy. Although I understand why it's PG - some of the scenes are pretty intense - I think my 5 year-old daughter was fine with it. I would recommend it to almost anybody.
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I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
It was a wonderful movie, not at all what I had expected. I thought it would be "run of the mill", just another kids movie... but I was very touched by the sensitivity in this one! It depicted "true love" and a very good model of a genuine "relationship", sweet, and innocent, friends for life. Exciting drama, but never over the top...maybe the "dog chase" may be a bit much for a two year old, having said that-very enjoyable!
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
My FAVORITE Disney movie!
I LOVE this movie. Common Sense Media should've rated sex 1. There is a part where they look at clouds and see babies, they look at each other, and get ready, painting a room for the baby and all that stuff. Other than that, 5/5! Gotta admit, the music rocked.
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
One of Pixar's best.
I put 7+ only considering how the beginning is. Some young kids (below 7) could get confused at that time considering Ellie lost a baby, and how she dies and how that makes Carl sad. The rest of the movie however is great, and I think this is one of the best movies Pixar has put out. However, you can't go wrong with Toy Story (1995), WALL-E (2008), and Finding Nemo (2003). Those are their best movies (along with Up).
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I rate this title iffy for age 4 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Great movie for older kids
The beginning is very sad, when Carl loses Ellie. My 4 year old didn't understand where she went, just that Carl needs his "best friend" to do things with and that he was sad. The villian and mean dogs were a little scary but my kids weren't too concerned. Especially because the dogs turn nice in the end. There is a joke that one of the dogs tells about a squirrel dying, and my 4 year old picked up on that right away. Now he thinks telling jokes about squirrels dying are funny. The movie itself is very entertaining, just watch it with real little kids. You will have to explain death, and it might be too scary for sensitive kids.
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I rate this title off for age 4 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
Not for my 4 year old daughter.
I will say that my 4 year old daughter tends to be on the sensitive side with movies. She got upset with the first part of the movie (which was sad). And she was frightened by the lightning storm and the dogs. By the time Munz was introduced in the movie, she was disinterested and asked to watch something else. We own it, so we'll try it again in a year or two (we plan to watch it again ourselves as it looked entertaining and has been well reviewed). Bottom line, the first part was a little heavy and the second part was a little scary for my little girl.
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I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Such a great movie!
This is one of Pixar's best! Up is a story mixed with action (mild), friendship, and lots of laughs! A movie for all ages, Up does have some sad scenes, but nothing kids can't handle
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I rate this title on for age 4 and give it
- My highlights are:
A great film
A great movie. I wouldn't bring any children under 4, but you have to judge that for your self and your child.
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I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Pixar cannot seem to lose
I cannot remember the last time I found myself so utterly thrilled at a movie. I was simply enrapt! Pixar has done it again and I hope they never stop. Excellent for all ages and not watered down which is a feat all in itself. This wonderful story of love, dreams and hope reaches through generations pulling into play true storytelling prowess and combining it with the latest storytelling technology. The love story is so heartfelt that it actually brought a tear to my eye. The notions of love and love lost-palpable. The adventure is fantastic and there is magic here as we jump into a realm seldom traveled by American movie makers (reminiscent of storytellers like Hayao Miyazaki though not quite as open-ended). Aged wisdom, greed and power, dreams, and laughter all live here beating in the breasts of two elderly gents, one young boy and a dog. While we all hold on tight for the ride ironically the story speaks a lot about letting go. See this and feel it. Truly amazing. As a side note, while not completely necessary, the use of 3-D was astounding. If you get the chance do see it that way though 3-D or 2-D it will knock you off of your feet just be sure to watch out for the pigeons. Namaste.
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I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
is it just me or are pixar movies getting stupider and stupider?
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I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
good famliy movie
it wasnt really my favorite movie but my three year old loves it she watched it 5 times in a row. if anything can get a three year old to sit for more then an hour its good in my book.
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I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Great movie.
I loved this movie! It's got hilarious moments where the kids will understand the jokes and some jokes where the parents will laugh. But there are three sad scenes that made my mom bawl, one where Ellie has a miscarriage, two when she dies, and three when Ellie's mailbox breaks.
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Ratings at a Glance
| 48% | of parents say it's too violent |
| 32% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
| 28% | of parents say there are good role models |
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