My wife, Karon,  and I chose to see UP in 2D, which looked terrific at our theater. I consciously chose not to see it in 3D, as many reviews felt the colors were muted. At some point, I may try th 3D, but as it was, we were happy with 2D.

The movie UP is incredibly emotional and exciting, and extremely entertaining.

However, we really have a problem with the folks who say this is the “funniest” Pixar movies ever. While it had many funny, inventive creations (the dogs, all of them, were just hysterical – one scene at dinner comes to mind when Muntz uses a word in conversation that sent the dogs into a frenzy. My dogs go crazy at the same word. Also, listen closely when the biplane flying dog bites its steering mechanism. Priceless.), the heavy, and I mean HEAVY scenes (Carl and Ellie’s montage, Russell’s conversation about his father, the scene where Muntz suddenly becomes suspicious of Carl and Russell) took you to the other extreme emotionally. My wife, bless her heart, said she has never had her chain yanked in a Pixar movie like she did at this one.

Another thing for parents of younger kids – This is NOT a children’s film, despite the fact it is animated and has a child as one of the main characters. Most previous Pixar films (with the exception of The Incredibles and Wall*E) were written with more of a kid’s audience in minds.  This movie is written at a more adult level with things in it kids will enjoy.

The adventure action in this puts most other family adventure movies to shame. And the bad guy puts the kid in REAL danger once things get going. There were several scenes that, even in 2D, really had us on the edge of our seats.

This is also the first Pixar movie, I think, that has focused on the blood associated with injuries (although the two instances are brief, but I think put there to make a point, like in the Incredibles when Mom tells the kids “These people will kill you.”)

All-in-all a great movie experience. Pixar has come a LONGGG way since Toy Story, and it’s great that they have the freedom to really UP the ante. I cannot WAIT to see what they are going to do with JOHN CARTER OF MARS!