Up is a 2009 American computer-animated comedy-drama film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures.
Directed by Pete Docter, the film tells the heartwarming story of Carl Fredricksen, an elderly widower voiced by Edward Asner, who embarks on an adventure to fulfill a promise to his late wife, Ellie. In a bid to reach Paradise Falls in South America, Carl ties thousands of balloons to his house, inadvertently taking along an earnest young Wilderness Explorer named Russell, voiced by Jordan Nagai. The film features a talented ensemble cast, including Christopher Plummer, Bob Peterson, and Delroy Lindo, and it was Pixar's first film to be presented in Disney Digital 3-D. Up premiered on May 29, 2009, and opened the 2009 Cannes Film Festival, making history as the first animated and 3D film to do so.
The production of Up began in 2004 when director Pete Docter started developing the story, which was inspired by his own fantasies of escaping life's frustrations. To gather research and inspiration, Docter and a team of eleven Pixar artists spent three days in Venezuela, exploring the landscapes that would influence the film's visuals. The character designs were stylized and caricatured, and animators faced the challenge of creating realistic cloth for the characters. One of the film's most iconic elements is Carl's floating house, which is depicted as being lifted by a varying number of balloons, estimated to be between 10,000 and 20,000.
Upon its release, Up became a significant financial success, grossing over $731 million worldwide, making it the 33rd highest-grossing film of all time and the sixth highest-grossing animated film at the time. The film received widespread critical acclaim, with reviewers praising its humor, emotional depth, and the strong performances of the voice cast. A particularly memorable montage depicting Carl and Ellie aging together was lauded for its poignant storytelling and ability to evoke deep emotional responses from the audience.
Up received five Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, making it the second animated film in history to achieve such a nomination, following Beauty and the Beast in 1991. It won two Oscars for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Score, further solidifying its place in cinematic history. The film also garnered two Golden Globe Awards for Best Animated Feature Film and Best Original Score.
Overall, Up is considered a Pixar masterpiece, blending humor, heart, and stunning visuals to tell a poignant story about life, love, and adventure. Its critical and commercial success has cemented its status as one of the greatest animated films of the 21st century, resonating with audiences of all ages and leaving a lasting impact on the animation genre.