Up – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Up

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2009

87%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

An elderly widower ties balloons to his house and accidentally brings an overeager kid along—prepare tissues for the first ten minutes.

8.3/10

98%

8.0

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Up

movie

PG, 2009

87%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

An elderly widower ties balloons to his house and accidentally brings an overeager kid along—prepare tissues for the first ten minutes.

8.3

98%

8.0

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8.3/10

98%

8.0

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Screenwise Verdict

Up is Pixar firing on all cylinders—imaginative, hilarious, heartbreaking, and ultimately life-affirming. It's the rare kids' movie that treats children like intelligent humans capable of processing complex emotions.

That said, this isn't background noise while you fold laundry. The opening sequence is famously devastating (seriously, bring tissues), and younger kids will need help understanding why Carl is so sad and grumpy. The villain gets genuinely menacing, and there are some tense action sequences.

But if you're willing to co-view and have some conversations afterward, Up delivers something rare: a film that enriches kids' emotional vocabulary while keeping them thoroughly entertained. The talking dogs provide comic relief, the visuals are gorgeous, and the message—that the people we love ARE the adventure—is profound.

Still holds up beautifully in 2025. This is the good stuff.

Age Fit

Best for ages 6-7+ who can handle the emotional complexity of death and loss with parental support. Teens might roll their eyes at the premise but often find themselves moved by the depth. Honestly, this one's for everyone—just be ready to explain some heavy stuff to the little ones.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Pixar's Up models profound themes of friendship, intergenerational connection, and processing grief with emotional maturity. The relationship between Carl and Russell demonstrates kindness, patience, and cooperation. The pacing balances quiet, reflective moments with adventure sequences. Minor deduction for the opening montage's heavy emotional weight dealing with infertility and death, which while handled beautifully, is intense.

Imaginative

A house lifted by thousands of balloons to float to South America is peak imaginative storytelling. The film invites wonder about exploration, adventure, and the idea that it's never too late to chase dreams. The fantastical premise, talking dogs with translation collars, exotic birds, and the vivid depiction of Paradise Falls all spark creativity and curiosity. This is Pixar at its most inventive.

Safe

The famous opening montage shows Ellie's death and the couple's struggle with infertility—emotionally devastating content that catches many parents off-guard. There's also mild action violence (dogs attacking, villain falling to his death off-screen), and some genuinely scary moments with the antagonist. However, nothing is graphic or gratuitous. The content is age-appropriate for the PG rating but definitely requires parental awareness, especially for sensitive kids. Not a 'put it on and walk away' movie for young viewers.

Enriching

Up delivers sophisticated lessons about grief, letting go, finding new purpose, and the difference between adventure as a destination versus adventure as the journey itself. It teaches empathy across generations, the importance of keeping promises, and that family isn't always biological. The film handles complex emotions with nuance rarely seen in children's media. Highly meaningful takeaways wrapped in entertaining storytelling.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

One of Pixar's most emotionally sophisticated films, teaching kids that grief and joy can coexist
The Carl-Russell dynamic beautifully models intergenerational friendship and found family
Visually stunning and genuinely funny (the talking dogs are comedy gold)
Teaches that adventure isn't about the destination—it's about the people you're with
Still holds up beautifully 15+ years later; modern kids remain engaged

⚠

What to Watch For

The opening montage is a gut-punch—infertility, aging, and Ellie's death will wreck you and might confuse/upset younger kids
Some genuinely scary moments with dogs attacking and the villain (Charles Muntz) being threatening
Villain's death (falls off airship, off-screen) and some peril sequences
Best experienced with a parent nearby to help process the heavier themes

Conversation Starters

"What do you think Carl's adventure book means at the end? Why did Ellie think their regular life was the real adventure?"
"Russell's dad isn't really around much. How do you think Carl helps fill that space for him?"
"What would you put in your own adventure book? What makes something an adventure?"
"Why do you think Carl was so grumpy at the beginning? How did Russell help him change?"
"If you could float your house anywhere with balloons, where would you go?"

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