Reviews

Up Blu-ray Disc Review

UP (2009, Blu-ray released November 10, 2009 - MSRP $45.99)

Disney Pixar’s latest opus, Up premiered in cinemas this past summer, projected several stories high on the big screen, sporting the latest in razzle-dazzle digital 3D optics to sell it to a Hollywood-weary audience. Now, thanks to the glory of the high-def Blu-ray disc, Up has made its way into our home theatres but in only two-dimensions. Does the film suffer because of the “limitations” of current home-video technologies. Heck no! In fact, it might prove to be a better all around experience!

I’m not sure if this is the best film Pixar has made. I mean, it certainly effected me. But I think my little niece and nephew struggled to get into it. And ultimately, aren’t they the target audience? Up begins with the story of a couple coming together, growing old and the inevitable loss that follows when age gets the better of them. It’s sweet in the bitterest of ways. I was choked up. Almost moved to tears. My nephew was bored stiff. Until the old, lonely man’s house floated away under a canopy of helium balloons, that is. As soon as the grouchy widower, Carl’s adventure begins the kids engage with the film. Carl takes to the skies, hoping to realize the dreams of his late wife, flying his house down to South America. Unbeknownst to him, an eager Eagle Scout named Russell has hitched a ride. Old and cranky soon collides with young and clumsy. Hilarity ensues.

Honestly, though, it’s an incredible little story. I think it’s actually one of Pixar’s best, evaluated on its own merits without passing judgement based on target demographics. It’s a well crafted, touching tale that I’m certain will be an Academy Award contender. And it goes without saying that the computer animation is incredible and full of character. Pixar never fails to knock it out of the park, capturing every nuance of life in the details. From the stiff joints of the elderly protagonist to the unique characteristics of each dog in the pack that chase he and his young companion through the jungle, the animators seem to be able to breathe more life into each CGI creation on the screen than most Hollywood productions can with real, live actors. I’m happy to experience the film on Blu-ray in two-dimensions as I can only imagine 3D technology drawing attention away from this incredible, sensitive work. I wouldn’t want to miss out on any of the subtle movements and details packed into every frame of the film. Up is truly a movie with everything. And even though the story may not immediately appeal to young children, they’ll soon look past its complexity and fall in love with the adventure and comedy, with or without 3D enhancement.

Up looks and sounds perfect on Blu-ray disc. This is as good as home video gets at the moment. The image is perfect, as you would expect from a direct data transfer. And the audio is dynamic and immersive. Ten out of ten across the board. I can quite easily say that this clean, clear 2D home video experience is superior to any 3D translation new tech would have delivered. Up is the Blu-ray demo disc of the season!

I’m sure it comes as no surprise that the disc is packed to the gills with bonus features. In fact, there are several discs worth jammed into the little blue box. For less than $20 you can pick up the 4-Disc Blu-ray combo pack which will give you the film on Blu-ray, a disc of HD extras, the film on DVD and an additional disc holding a digital copy, ensuring you can watch Up on as many devices as you’ll ever own! The special features are numerous and include a wonderful commentary track by director Pete Docter and co-director Bob Peterson. On the Blu-ray disc, this is complemented by the running Cine-Explore visual montage of concept art, clips and documentary coverage that illustrates their chat. I could watch this stuff all day! The feature disc also includes a couple of excellent short films, one of which preceded screenings of Up in the theatre, the other an original piece created for home video.

The second Blu-ray, dedicated to the special features of the collection is quite robust and yet frustrating. The content itself is excellent, featuring a ton of featurettes covering every aspect of the creation of the film. But once again, Disney forces you to click on each one separately to view them. No “Play All” option is present, just as on the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Blu-ray. Sigh. I’d really love to sit back and just enjoy the almost 2-hours of documentary video content without having to constantly reach for the remote every few minutes.

For a complete run-down of all the bonus content in the Up Blu-ray disc set, read our coverage here: Disney Pixar’s Up Announced and Detailed for Blu-ray

© 2009 The Blu-Ray Blog.