Up

The movie's main character, Carl Fredricksen, undergoes many hardships, but in the end, his troubles only make him a better person. He lives his life with the woman he loves, Ellie, who is heartbroken when she learns she cannot have children of her own. Here is when the first tear sheds from several audience members, but there are surely more on the way. The two decide to save up to go on the adventure of a lifetime that they've always dreamed about, to the wild lands of South America. Yet, as is life, problems keep cropping up that they have to spend their money on to fix. Then finally, when Carl books their dream adventure, Ellie falls ill and soon dies. This is indeed the saddest part of the movie, as this viewer certainly could not help herself from crying. Mr. Fredrickson must then deal with a life of loneliness and the world's injustices toward the elderly on his own.

While this part of the movie is certainly tragic, the rest of the story is much more uplifting, and this is what transcends. Mr. Fredrickson does learn to cope, with the help of 8-year-old Wilderness Explorer Russell. He follows his and Ellie's dream, as he makes his way to South America by tying thousands of balloons to his house and flying there. While on the journey, he learns the lessons of always doing what is right, staying true to one's friends, and above all else, family is the most important thing we have in life.

As far as the film being too sad for children, which some have suggested, I feel they cannot truly comprehend the lifelong love between a man and a woman, and will not be as emotionally affected by the beginning scenes as an adult would. If they can handle the opening of Disney and Pixar's mega hit, "Finding Nemo," where Nemo's mother is killed, they can certainly get through "Up," as the child-parent relationship is much more relatable to them than the man-woman relationship.

In short, "Up" is worth a trip to the theater with your kids; don't miss it, and make sure to get there early as the digital short played before every Disney and Pixar film is the studio's best yet.