New On DVD, Blu-Ray: 'Up'

'Up' (PG): There's no better way of putting it: Pixar Animation Studios soars to new heights with "Up," the latest masterpiece from the animated filmmakers that's not only the best the company has produced to date: It's the best film of 2009 so far.

In a genius casting move, the venerable Ed Asner brings his curmudgeonly voice, heart and soul to Carl Fredricksen, a grumpy, 78-year-old balloon salesman crestfallen over the fact that he never got to take his late wife, Ellie, on the dream trip they were planning their entire lives. Suddenly facing eviction from a neighborhood where industrialism has sprung up all around him, Carl decides that nobody will take him away from his house to a retirement home. Instead, he'll be taking his house away from the neighborhood via thousands of balloons which will lift it from its foundation.

Having charted a course for Paradise Falls in the lost rock formations in South America, Carl is soon surprised to find out that he has an accidental stowaway on board in Russell (Jordan Nagai) -- an enthusiastic 8-year-old Wilderness Explorer who was seeking out Carl to earn his "helping the elderly" service badge.

But the ride is only the beginning for the mismatched duo. When they reach the final destination, the two encounter Carl's boyhood hero, exiled adventurer Charles Muntz (Christopher Plummer), his pack of talking dogs and an exotic bird -- providing a combination of people, places and things that will lead them on the adventure of their lives.

Co-written and co-directed by Pete Docter ("Monsters, Inc.") and Bob Peterson, "Up" is a monumental achievement that runs the gamut of emotions, from its inspired beginnings that traces Carl's adventurous beginnings, to his courtship and married life with Ellie (the best four-minute sequence on film this year), to Carl's adventure with Russell, and the grandfather/son-type bond the two begin to share. Plummer's voice is barely recognizable as the mysterious Muntz, a Howard Hughes-type character seeking retribution for being banished from the ranks of aviators after he's accused of lying about his find of a unknown bird species in South America.

"Up" is a rare gem that is accessible to audiences of all ages: buoyed by a palate of bright colors, it's a tale of love, hope and optimism; it's a tale about coming of age and it's a tale of adventure. It's even a tale about tails, and more specifically, the talking dogs that are wagging them. And while all of the canine co-stars (voiced by the likes of Delroy Lindo and Jordan Ranft) are insanely entertaining, a sloppy and slap-happy mutt named Dug (Peterson) earns his place as one of the most lovable characters in movies this year. He's one of the many feel-good elements that make "Up" a feel-great movie that inflates the spirits days after the final credits have rolled.

Special Features: The four-pack Blu-ray plus DVD combo pack releases includes production documentaries, including a fascinating trip by Docter and Peterson to a Paradise Falls like location in South America. The alternate "Married Life" scene is mostly made of up sketches, as Docter and Peterson guide you through what would have ultimately been a dramatically different scene than the one that moved audiences in theaters.

Also included is "Partly Cloudy," the short film that proceeded "Up" in theaters which is just as funny as it is touching. An exclusive short to the home video release "Dug's Special Mission" gives us even more of the dog's misadventures to laugh at, and also provides us with a tidy segue into a pivotal scene in the film.

The Global Guardian Badge Game comes in different challenge levels, and provides a fun way to kid users to learn some geography. Also included in the 4-pack release are character studies, a digital copy of the film for portable media devices and more. (Walt Disney Home Entertainment)

'Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs' (PG): Ray Romano, Queen Latifah, John Leguizamo and Denis Leary reprise their voice roles for the second "Ice Age" sequel "Dawn of the Dinosaurs," an entertaining romp that finds the characters taking huge steps forward as the story continues to evolve.

The film finds Manny (Romano) and Ellie (Queen Latifah) as first-time expectant parents, while Sid the sloth (Leguizamo) sees the dreams of having a family come true with the discovery of a set of three very large eggs. The never-say-die rat Scrat (Chris Wedge) has even fallen for a female squirrel-rat, Scratte, even though they're in the same hunt for the ever-elusive acorn that's eluded Scrat through the first two films.

But family life isn't all that its cracked up to be for the group of friends, as Diego the Sabretooth (Denis Leary) is feeling left out of place and is considering moving on; and the "kids" that eventually hatch for Sid happen to be the younglings of a very angry dinosaur mother.

Like the previous "Ice Age" movies, "Dawn of the Dinosaurs" is appealing to both kids and adults as a movie that's just as much entertaining as emotionally engaging. Manny and Ellie go through many of the same things married couples do; and the confused feelings of belonging Diego longs for, and sense of purpose Sid wants, are very relatable.

On the lighter side, "Shaun of the Dead" and "Star Trek's" Scotty, Simon Pegg is brought aboard as Buck, a raucous, one-eyed weasel/dinosaur fighter who delivers fast and funny dialogue; and Scrat and his potential love cause twice the amount of chaos we're used to seeing, delivering twice the amount of laughs (the grand finale, akin to the blast off of a rocket ship, is hilarious).

The animation for "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" is spectacular as expected, and the introduction of the dinosaurs into the plot avoids any repetition of the previous films. Overall, the film may not have as much heart and soul as the original "Ice Age" -- where the crew mothered a lost Eskimo toddler -- but it's a worthwhile addition as the latest release in the fun and furry film trilogy.

Special Features: The Blu-ray and DVD three-disc combo pack includes filmmaker commentary on both the DVD and Blu-ray discs, as well as a digital copy for downloadable media devices. The Blu-ray disc itself is loaded with several worthwhile BD features, including a spate of hilarious Scrat film shorts, as well as fun storybook maker, which allows users to create several different versions of tales using characters and scenes from "Dawn of the Dinosaurs."

Also included on the BD version are production and character featurettes, including the the evolution of Buck; behind-the-scenes television specials; "Walk the Baby" music video, deleted scenes and more. (Fox Home Entertainment)