Pixar’s latest animated feature opened to critical acclaim and rave reviews from children as well as adults. I don’t usually enjoy the Pixar style of animation, but I thought I would give this one a shot anyway. Animation aside, this is likely the least child-like children’s movie I have ever seen. Sure, a house being lifted by what looks like several thousand balloons and the traveling the world is definitely a child’s fantasy, but the subject matter and themes of the film are definitely more adult.

This is not just an adventure story of a man and a boy flying to South America. Carl decides to fly his house to Paradise Falls because it was his wife’s life long dream, one she never saw fulfilled. There are themes of love and loss, acceptance, even heroes failing to live up to your expectations. Even though the picture is largely fantasy, it deals with all of these points in an honest and realistic way. It is equal parts heartbreaking and uplifting. Even for someone like me, who prefers two-dimensional, hand drawn animation, the animation is secondary to the story. The movie will definitely surprise you, in a good way.