Pixar's 'Up' is a deep yet accessible movie, the first Pixar feature film to be rendered beautifully in 3D.

The story begins with a five minute scene-setting trip through the life story of grumpy faced widower Carl Fredricksen, a 78 year old man with a wonderfully square head. We see a young Carl meeting Ellie with whom he shares a common admiration of explorer Charles F. Muntz. Carl promises Ellie they will follow in Muntz's footsteps and go to South America, but life being what it is, their dream was never realised despite a happy (but childless) married life together.

It is an emotionally engaging start to a film aimed (at least in part) at children, but 'Up' pulls it off magnificently.

The 3D features are used in stunning fashion when Carl ties thousands of balloons to his roof and flies away to avoid moving into a retirement home. However once airborne Carl discovers adorably round Russell, a wilderness explorer desperate to get his 'Assisting the Elderly' badge, who is clinging precariously onto Carl's front porch. The two characters play off each other fantastically throughout the movie as they share in an adventure which takes them all the way to a vibrant South American rainforest, complete with colourful birds and hilarious talking dogs.

For its well placed wit, and success in approaching some pretty deep issues in a mature way without losing sight of its audience 'Up' deserves to be considered one of the best movies of 2009.

'Up' has been nominated for 'Animated Feature Film', 'Music (Original Score)', 'Best Picture', 'Sound Editing', 'Writing (Original Screenplay)'.