Pixar have once again outdone themselves with Up, a vibrantly bubbly exploration of how life’s great adventures can stem from death’s gloomy depths.

Long time actor Edward Asner lends his voice to the grumpy Carl Frederiksen, a recently widowed elderly man, who fulfils his lifelong ambition to travel to South America, by letting loose 1000 balloons, hoisting him and his beloved house up in the air.

His plans for serenity in paradise, however, are disrupted by a young wilderness explorer (Jordon Nagai), who was situated on Carl’s front porch at the time of his launch.

The attention to detail displayed in Up, from its character design to its varied surroundings, is superb.

Never has the sight of 1000 balloons looked as glorious as it does in this film. While the mountains, canyons, and dense jungles of its South America bristles with life.

But the strength of Up is not in the animation. Millions of dollars payed to talented professionals can make any film look good.

Rather, it is the writing – courtesy of co-directors Pete Docter and Bob Peterson, with story credit to Thomas McCarthy(known for his work in The Station Agent and The Visitor) – that propels Up above the competition as the screenplay to beat come awards season.

The risky move of having an elderly adventurer and obese boy as the films protagonists, speaks volumes on the fearlessness and trust that Pixar has in its filmmakers and their audience.

That Up prominently features themes of death and alienation, and resonates with the heartache of promises unfulfilled, further displays the maturity and depth found in Pixar’s works, and makes the many rewards that this film contains, that much sweeter.

Docter and Peterson triumphantly weave this maturity with thrilling adventure and constantly humorous comedy, and are never afraid to get silly as demonstrated with the use of an army of K-9s, strapped with hi-tech collars that give them voice.

Pure magical cinema, as only Pixar could do it.