UP ***½

Co-directed by Pete Docter and Bob Peterson this animated adventure features the voices of: Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer, and Jordan Nagai. Rated PG for some peril and action. Running time is one hour and thirty-six minutes. Shown in both 3D and 2D versions (see Monday's opening entry for which version is showing in your favorite theatre).

A comedy adventure about a 78-year-old balloon salesman who finally fulfills his lifelong dream of a great adventure when he ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies away to the wilds of South America. But, he discovers all too late his biggest nightmare has stowed away on the trip: an overly optimistic 9-year-old Wilderness Explorer named Russell.

This is about as close to the perfect family film as you're going to get. It presents lessons in love, loss, family relationships, and responsibility but does so in a manner that is not "preachy" and will be enjoyable for both children and adults. There's also plenty of action and a fair amount of humor as well. The running time is perfect. I saw the 3D version and the dimensional aspects were very, very good. This is some of the best 3D I've seen and it's the version to attend, even though it will cost you a few dollars more per ticket. If you're thinking about the 2D version, it will be even cheaper to wait for the DVD as the "flat" version will be just as good on TV as it is in the theatre. There are no extra scenes during the end credits.