Pixar’s first foray into 3-D animation is a soaring, touching, funny and altogether buoyant movie that lives up to its title in spirit and in form.

Ed Asner provides the voice behind Carl Fredricksen, a boxily built curmudgeon who decides to fly his house to South America by way of a bunch of balloons. Newcomer Jordan Nagai voices the young scout Russell, who comes along for the ride, to Carl’s initial consternation and eventual comfort. Among “Up’s” myriad pleasures is watching this inter-generational friendship bloom, at a time when pop culture seems to be dominated by self-absorbed ’tweens. Adults will appreciate the finer things in “Up,” including a sublime prologue limning the hopes and heartbreaks of Carl’s life, a passage worthy of Chaplin in its heartbreaking poignancy. Contains peril and action.

‘Up’

Rating: PG

Length: 98 minutes