Up Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of Pixar's "Up" is nothing short of phenomenal, boasting a flawless 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer with unrivaled definition and clarity. The colors are vibrant, leaping off the screen with exuberant depth, while black levels are inky and velvety, providing a near-infinite level of depth. The attention to detail is staggering, capturing every nuance from the grooves in Carl's face to the feathers on Kevin’s back and the rust on Muntz’s dirigible. Shading and translucent imagery add an impressive dimension, making both light and dark elements incredibly vivid. Superbly crisp and refined textures abound, all devoid of artificial enhancements like edge enhancement, ensuring a perfect image quality free from significant artifacts or color banding.

The 3D presentation is equally impressive, if not more so, with a 1080p/MVC-encoded experience that fully immerses the viewer in Pixar’s meticulously crafted world. The depth and dimensionality are masterfully handled, with Carl’s house and the South American vistas extending far into the horizon, creating an enveloping atmosphere without resorting to cheap pop-out gimmicks. The technical encode remains vigilant, with minimal aliasing, near-flawless dimensionality, and hardly any ghosting, which is occasionally a product of specific 3D display technologies rather than the encode itself. The brightness levels match the 2D version perfectly, ensuring that colors pop and shadow details remain intact, even during night sequences.

In conclusion, both the 2D and 3D Blu-ray presentations of "Up" stand as top-tier exemplars of high-definition animation. The meticulous technical execution ensures that the home viewing experience rivals or even surpasses theatrical screenings, immersing viewers in a visually stunning and captivating narrative. These qualities make "Up" an essential acquisition for both animation enthusiasts and videophiles alike.

Disney’s "Up" Blu-ray audio presentation is masterfully crafted, leveraging the high-resolution capabilities of lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. The sound design is intricately detailed and dynamic, ensuring an immersive experience. The soundtrack exhibits pronounced clarity and sonic detail, with surround activity that effectively engulfs the listener in the atmospheric layers of music, sound effects, and dialogue. Notably, imaging and dimensional placement are precisely executed, enhancing the spatial perception of sound. The environmental ambience blends seamlessly with directional effects, crafting a sound field that captivates and envelops the audience.

The dialogue remains consistently clear and perfectly prioritized within the mix, never overshadowing the intricate audio elements. The LFE channel is robust, underscoring both subtle and intense moments with profound impact. The rear speakers are active and inject significant ambiance that enhances the adventurous atmosphere of Carl and Russell’s journey. Panning effects are seamless and dynamics resonate powerfully, making every effect from jungles to living rooms sound utterly natural. Even nuanced sounds like individualized balloons bumping into each other come through with stunning clarity.

Special moments like a window shattering or Michael Giacchino’s celebrated score are highlighted exceptionally well, with Giacchino’s music sounding particularly magnificent in this mix. Additional audio options include French and Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks, as well as an English DTS-HD 2.0 track, offering a variety of listening choices. Subtitles are available in English, French, and Spanish, catering to a wide audience. Overall, "Up’s" Blu-ray delivers an outstanding audio experience that exemplifies Disney's commitment to excellence in sound design.

Pixar's Blu-Ray extras for "Up" are a comprehensive and captivating collection, providing immense insight into the production and creative process behind the beloved film. The package features a vibrant collection of high-definition shorts, documentaries, and interactive features that engage all audience types, from casual viewers to dedicated cinephiles. Standouts include the immersive Cine-Explore commentary by Pete Docter and Bob Peterson, which utilizes a Picture-in-Picture format to delve deep into storyboarding, design, and production challenges. The featurettes about research trips, character development, and thematic elements offer enriching behind-the-scenes perspectives. In particular, "Adventure is Out There" documents an actual expedition to South America, blending vivid footage with interviews to stunning effect.

Extras included in this disc:

Cine-Explore: In-movie feature with filmmaker commentary, storyboards, and production facts. Partly Cloudy: Theatrical short about cloud spirits and storks. Dug’s Special Mission: New original short featuring Dug. Adventure is Out There: Featurette documenting the filmmakers' expedition. The Many Endings of Muntz: Alternate scenes exploring different conclusions for Muntz. Geriatric Hero: Feature on Carl's character design and animation. Canine Companions: Examination of Muntz's dog pack. Russell: Wilderness Explorer: Focus on Russell's character development. Our Giant Flightless Friend, Kevin: Insights into creating Kevin. Homemakers of Pixar: Detailing Carl's house design. Balloons and Flight: Overview of the film’s air-bound elements. Composing for Characters: Michael Giacchino’s scoring process. Married Life: Alternate scenes of Carl and Ellie’s relationship. Global Guardian Badge Game: Interactive BD-Live game. Up Promo Montage: Series of promotional spots for the film. Worldwide Trailers: Two theatrical trailers.

"Up," a collaboration between Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios, masterfully blends comedy and fantasy into an unforgettable adventure. Helmed by Pete Docter, the film presents the heartwarming journey of Carl Fredricksen, a 78-year-old balloon salesman voiced by Ed Asner, who fulfills a lifelong dream by tying thousands of helium balloons to his house to float to South America. Alongside him, albeit unintentionally, is the overly optimistic 8-year-old Wilderness Explorer, Russell. Their quest introduces them to a series of strange and whimsical characters in a lost world, packed with emotional, comedic, and wildly imaginative adventures.

The film opens with a poignant montage that chronicles Carl and his wife Ellie's life together—from childhood to old age—infusing Carl's quest with deep emotional resonance. This grounding in real-world struggles, including financial challenges, childlessness, and Ellie's eventual illness, adds a layer of thematic richness that transcends typical animated fare. Carl's grumpy disposition is revealed as heartbreakingly complex; his adventure is not driven by whimsy but by love and devotion.

"Up" seamlessly transitions from its tragic opening into a thrilling and entertaining second act. The interplay between Carl and Russell is crafted beautifully, blending Carl's embittered past with Russell's youthful innocence. The fantastical elements, including a talking dog and a colorful flightless bird, meld perfectly with the narrative, offering both comic relief and emotional depth. Michael Giacchino's score underpins this emotional journey, using a light touch to amplify both moments of melancholy and buoyancy. Despite its vibrant and stylized visuals, echoing the work of Miyazaki, the film's visceral impact remains potent in any format. "Up" is an animated masterpiece that resonates deeply with audiences of all ages due to its compelling mix of heartfelt story, stunning animation, and multifaceted characters.

Pixar's "Up" is a stellar example of high-quality animation combined with profound storytelling. This Blu-ray release capitalizes on those strengths and elevates the home viewing experience to new heights. The 3D presentation is remarkable, providing a flawless video performance that immerses viewers in pristine high-definition visuals. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround soundtrack intricately complements the visual experience, boasting exceptional audio clarity and dynamic range.

While the special features package doesn’t introduce any exclusive content specific to the 3D release, it remains a solid collection. Fans of 3D films will particularly appreciate the technical finesse Disney has applied here. The set retains all the beloved qualities of its original 2009 release, making the addition of 3D a noteworthy enhancement for enthusiasts but perhaps not essential for those indifferent to 3D.

In conclusion, "Up" remains a standout in Pixar’s illustrious catalog. This Blu-ray package, with or without the 3D component, is highly recommended for its immaculate video and audio quality. For viewers who enjoy the immersive experience of 3D, this release becomes a must-own addition to their collection. Those who already own the standard HD version will need to weigh their preferences for 3D content to determine the necessity of this double dip.