UP: A Home Movie To Lift Your Family’s Spirit

When I first watched UP this year, I remember crying buckets of tears and laughing hysterically. I was skeptical about the film and how a story about an old man in a house propelled by balloons would be inspiring. So, I sat there with my husband and two year old son with no expectations.

Simply put, UP is about 78-year-old balloon salesman Carl Fredrickson, who fulfills his lifelong dream of a great adventure when he ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies away to the wilds. He is joined by Russel, an eager and optimistic eight-year-old Wilderness Explorer boy scout whose main goal is to help an elderly to get his final merit badge.

But it’s actually so much more. It’s the unfinished love story between Carl Frederickson and his beloved wife, Ellie, dealing with loss and moving on to fulfill a lifelong dream. It’s perfect for grown up couples who will identify with the love between Carl and Ellie and it’s also perfect for kids because of the colorful adventure sequences and the tons of balloons and strange animals from Paradise Falls.

The film has been generally loved by both the audience and the critics. Since its release, UP has received very positive reviews from critics. As of October 17, 2009, Rotten Tomatoes reports that 98% of critics gave the film a positive review. The film also holds a score of 88 on the review aggregator website Metacritic as of August 1, 2009. Film critic Roger Ebert awarded the film four out of four stars.

So on one free weekend this December, stick in some popcorn in the microwave, call in the kids and have an UP movie night. It’s a story that won’t grow old.

UP is now available in DVD and VCD format at Astrovision / Astroplus, Odyssey, Video City and SM Record Bar nationwide. The DVD retails at P750 and VCD at P275.

Congratulations to the 5 lucky winners of "UP" DVDs! (Names to follow)

1. leahmamuyac
2. ching0418
3. EllenJoyCastel
4. Vanessa Madrid
5. Jenny Estrera

Winners can claim their free DVD at the 6F Robinsons Cybergate Center Tower 3, Robinsons Pioneer Complex, Pioneer St., Mandaluyong City 1550 from Dec. 14 to Dec. 18 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 n.n. and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Unclaimed DVDs after Dec. 18 will return to Smartparenting.com.ph.