Soaring into the stratosphere this weekend is Pixar's tenth feature-length film, Up. It’s a sure thing their latest film will leave your kids with a smile on their face – and some possibly tough questions on their lips. While delivering the same top-notch experience that has made them the most dependable studio in the business, the animation powerhouse's latest deals with some very grown-up issues like birth, life, and death in a forward yet still quite subtle way.

Up follows the adventures - past and present - of Carl Fredricksen , voiced by veteran Ed Asner, an octogenarian nearing the end of his life who wants to fulfill a lifelong promise to adventure in Paradise Falls, South America, like his childhood hero Charles Muntz (voiced by Christopher Plummer, of “Sound of Music” fame). After the passing of his beloved wife Elle, Carl soon faces the prospect of losing the home both had built over a lifetime of memories and domestic adventures.

As Carl’s quaint house, borne by helium balloons, lifts away on a quest towards South America, the old man discovers a young stowaway; an eight-year-old “Wilderness Explorer” named Russell (voiced by Jordan Nagai, in his very first role) who is determined to earn his final merit badge for helping the elderly. As they journey to lands unknown, they encounter strange sights and even stranger wildlife on their way to Paradise Falls. Along the way our house-towing duo will discover a new world of friends and villains, including an overly-talkative dog named Dug.

And who hasn’t wondered what it would be like if dogs could talk?

Up is something of a departure for the studio, which shouldn't come as a surprise considering their penchant for animated toys and talking fish. Director Pete Docter (Monsters, Inc) packs his second directorial effort with more nuance than you might expect from an animated feature, encapsulated perfectly in the film's non-speaking montage which showcases a lifetime of memories for Carl and Elle. Here Pixar pushes the envelope of mainstream animation further into realms untouched since the days of Walt Disney himself, offering the the most honest portrayal of life and death since 1942's Bambi. While parents should be cautioned that certain elements of Up may seem intense for younger viewers, they are never exploitive or presented to offend.

Longtime Pixar artist and voice-actor Bob Peterson co-directs his first major effort with Docter, as well as providing the voice of Dug. The film's most obvious visual influence would be that of animation giant Hayao Miyazaki, from the surrealistic landscapes to dazzling use of color and improbable setting (indeed, Docter also directed the English version of Howl's Moving Castle). This is also reflected in the design of Russell, a Japanese-American youngster who would fit perfectly in one of Miyazaki's own films. Composer Michael Giacchino's score is equally noteworthy, although a more subtle affair than what fans may be used to hearing.

Much has been made of the fact this is Pixar's first release in digital 3-D, which does compliment the adventuresome nature quite well, although this immersion comes at the expense of vibrant colors and (for some) after-movie headaches. Thankfully, the experience is just as thrilling on normal screens, so just make sure to keep your viewing options open.

Up is an utterly charming film that has the unusual ability to allow the audience to really connect with the film – and not just because the entire audience was wearing thick black 3-D spectacles that were suspiciously similar to the curmudgeonly main character. I would definitely rank this as Pixar’s best film to date. Definitely go see it, definitely bring the kids, and definitely use this wonderful and positive film as an opportunity for the chance to have a serious discussion with your children about the facts of life.

For those too young to understand the birds and the bees, Pixar has very considerately (in keeping with tradition) placed a quite hilarious animated short just prior to the feature involving storks delivering baby animals that’s sure to amuse and delight both the young and not-as-young. Partly Cloudy was directed by Pete Sohn, who was also the visual inspiration for Up’s Russell.