In the case of Pixar’s latest offering Up, all the above catchphrases apply.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying Pixar is infallible. Cars proved to be little more that a formula driven vehicle and while the opening of Wall-E was sensational, things went downhill from there.

Yet with its latest film, Pixar reaches new heights and taps into the charm and beauty of golden-era Disney animation.

So what’s it all about….?

Up opens with a stunning dialogue-free sequence that traces the progression of Carl and Ellie from childhood to old age.

Laughter, sorrow, and moments of breathtaking beauty ensue as we see the trappings of life thwart the couple’s dream of exploring the legendary Paradise Falls.

After the passing of his wife, Carl resolves to honour her memory by tying thousands of multi-coloured balloons to the roof of their ramshackle house and floating off on an expedition of epic proportions.

Universal appeal…?

The film, of course, is not without its problems. Much like Wall-E the second half becomes more formulaic than the first, relying on convention rather than invention.

Unlike its predecessor though, Up maintains a humanistic backbone that never wavers in the face of ensuing action. This is largely down to the complexity with which director Pete Docter draws his characters.

Sure they are cute and goofy, but like real people they have problems, obsessions, needs and desires; some of which are never fully resolved.

Up also veers away from the two-tier custom of delivering laughs for kids and laughs for adults. The film instead spins on a universal axis which appeals to young and old alike simply because it deals in the currency of life.

That’s not to say the film is unfunny. There are plentiful sight-gags, one-liners, and amusing scenarios. But Up’s real genius resides in its ability to seamlessly mesh this sophisticated and intelligent humour with a storyline everybody can relate to.

Blown away or over inflated…?

Up leaves little doubt that Pixar is leading the charge when it comes to animation.

The studio’s tenth and best movie to date packs more emotional punch than the majority of Hollywood films combined.

Beautiful, stirring, and sorrowful all rolled into one, I can’t recommend this film enough.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars – available on Blu-ray and DVD