It's a series of images, set to music, that take us from the moment the film's main character Carl marries longtime sweetheart Ellie right up until she dies.

There's not a single word of dialogue yet these vignettes speak volumes about the characters. And they speak with an honesty and pain (for not all the moments are joyful) that still makes my eyes tear up when I think about them (and there's a just as beautifully sad Ellie moment at the back end as well).

But Up isn't all about sadness. There is also a fair slice of humour, fun and heart-warming moments that add up to make Up the best-balanced Pixar film since Finding Nemo.

Shortly after the death of Ellie, we find developers trying to push Carl (Asner) out of the house they shared.

But rather than leave, he attaches the house to thousands of helium balloons and floats away.

The destination? Paradise Falls in South America, where Ellie always longed to move to but never managed to get there.

But Carl's not alone - stranded on the skyward porch is eight-year-old Wilderness Explorer Russell (Nagai), who has been pestering Carl for help gaining his "assisting the elderly" badge.

From there the pair's adventures include talking dogs (though not like any talking dogs you've seen before), a rather crazy bird and a long-lost explorer.

If you stopped to think about it, much of the plot sounds ridiculous (a house floating away under balloons? Come on). But the fantasy element is so perfectly handled here that you'll accept whatever Up throws at you.

It makes you want to believe that anything is possible. And that it's never too late to start on an adventure of your own.

With or without helium balloons.

Stars: Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer, Jordan Nagai

Directors: Pete Docter and Bob Peterson

Screening at Greater Union Wollongong and Shellharbour, Hoyts Warrawong, Gala Cinema and Roxy Cinema Complex