Pixar's stunning 3-D adventure is an upper for everyone.

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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, however, the odd couple discovers Muntz is more interested in killing an elusive rare bird than living in paradise.

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 critically, and considering the demand for family entertainment, it's sure to be a big hit commercially as well. With its tenth full-length endeavor, Pixar has brought to life a multi-generational odd couple in a film that is visually stunning, surprisingly touching, and unsurprisingly delightful.

The beginning of the film is an unexpected tear-jerker following the entire marriage -- from first sight to widowhood -- of adventurous-at-heart Carl and Ellie Fredricksen. The bulk of the story, as the trailer promises, is Carl and Russell's amazing skyward journey to Paradise Falls.

Once there, Carl realizes his life-long hero Muntz is a crazy disappointment and that his pesky companion Russell is wise beyond his years. Above the gorgeous and colorful animated vistas, Pixar's astonishing achievement is the sweet, funny, lasting relationship these two heroes share.

Parents Need to Know

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 may frighten the very young. That said, it's Disney/Pixar, so the violence is mild. There's no offensive language, consumerism, or sexuality.

Families can talk about the movie's central relationship between Carl and Russell. What does Up 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?

Studio: Pixar Animation Studios Director: Pete Docter Cast: Christopher Plummer, John Ratzenberger, Ed Asner Genre: Family and Kids Run Time: 98 minutes Theatrical Release: 5/29/2009 MPAA Rating: G MPAA Explanation: Some peril and action

Reviewed by Sandie Angulo Chen.

See more about "UP" at Common Sense Media.