CRITIC'S PICK

Oh, for a flight of fancy on a summer day, carried aloft by a rainbow bouquet of a hundred balloons -- that's what the animated "Up" feels like, a lovely escape from the realities that tether us to the ground. In a sense, directors Pete Docter and Bob Peterson have given us two movies, which is not so disconcerting if you know that going in. It opens with 78-year-old Carl, voiced by an excellent Ed Asner, remembering life with his beloved late wife Ellie, a loving look at an ordinary life. But with memories come regret and soon Carl and a young wilderness explorer named Russell (Jordan Nagai) are off in search of the South American adventurer Carl and Ellie meant to track down all those years ago. One part sentiment, one part adventure, terrific animation, catch it if you can.

-- Betsy Sharkey

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