Kevin's Great Adventure: Upside Down?

Cover of The Incredibles [UMD for PSP]

I took the kids to the Century 20 cinema complex in Mountain View today to see Pixar's new movie, UP.

The work emanating from Pixar Studios is pure genius. From Toy Story to Finding Nemo to Wall-E, they never cease to amaze me with their sheer artistry on a visual and emotional level. They have forever changed the way that animated films are perceived.

My favorite Pixar movie? Tough call, but probably The Incredibles. Pure escapist enjoyment with tons of wit and depth. And, most importantly, my kids loved it. And that’s the main point – when I go see a Pixar movie with my family, it’s so that my kids can have a good time. Sure I get to enjoy a brilliant slice of movie making in the process, but Pixar movies are not about me. They’re about the pure enjoyment I see on my kids’ faces when Buzz Lightyear somersaults through the air or Nemo rides the Australian Current on Squirt’s back or Lightning McQueen goes high-octane down Route 66.

So where does Pixar’s latest creation, UP, fit into the picture? It has received amazing reviews, earning 98% on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer. But for me, this movie brings into sharp focus the question about the target audience – is it aimed at kids or adults?

I don’t want to give anything away and you can judge for yourself. But most telling, perhaps, is that a group of elderly people were the last to leave the theatre after the credits had finished rolling, trying to squeeze out every last drop of the movie. By that time my kids were already out the door, making a beeline for the video arcade and leaving me behind to carry all the left over popcorn and soda.