Out on Blu-Ray

Up (out 15 February 10, Cert.U)

Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer, Jordan Nagai, dir Pete Docter / Bob Peterson 2009, cert. U

MonkeyScore: 89%

Carl Fredricksen is a retired balloon salesman who has always worshipped the adventurer Charles Muntz. Muntz fell from grace many years ago after being accused of forging the discovery of the Monster of Paradise Falls, and disappeared. Carl and his wife Ellie had always dreamt of going to there and build a house at the very top of the falls, but never got around to it. After she passes away, facing eviction from their beloved home, Carl ties thousands of balloons to the house and sets off to South America. Shortly after take off he discover a stowaway, chubby Wilderness Explorer Scout Russell, who was hoping to earn his Elderly Assistance Badge.

Up is a bittersweet tale of love and adventure, madness and ambition. It deals with rather adults themes and indeed when first released in cinemas it was grown-ups mostly responding to the story. While kids of all ages will find the jungle critters, and particularly Dug, very amusing, the youngest viewers will rather miss the point of the film. Still there is plenty to keep them entertained, and at least adults can really get into it. Up was made with 3D in mind, so expect to be dazzled by gorgeous visuals even though, sadly, the 3D version has not made it to home entertainment formats. Up is available as a single DVD, DVD + Blu-Ray combi pack and a "superset" double Blu-Ray + DVD + digital copy. All versions contain the heavenly Pixar theatrical short Partly Cloudy, and new short Dug's Special Mission. Up is a beautiful, moving and funny film that will no doubt become a classic - a(nother) Disney-Pixar gem.

Pandorum (out 15 February 10, Cert.15)

Ben Foster, Dennis Quaid, dir. Christian Alvart, 2009, Cert. 15

MonkeyScore: 67%

Lt. Payton (Dennis Quaid) and Cpl. Bower (Ben Foster) wake from suspended animation in a spaceship with no memory of their mission. The sleeper ship they were travelling on, with no sign of its 60,000 passengers, seems deserted. As they explore the ship, however, they quickly realise that they are not alone.

Pandorum sank without a trace when briefly released in cinemas last October - yet while this doesn't usually bode well the film is actually quite enjoyable, provided you have reasonable expectations. The characters feel familiar, because you've seen them in many other films before, yet they kind of work. The acting is as solid as you would expect from Dennis Quaid and Ben Foster, and the direction moves the story along nicely. There is more gore than you could possibly have use for, and some nifty special FX, too. Add a few scares, some decent tension and even twists that you may not see coming: Pandorum is worth watching, if you like your sci-fi bloody.