Pixar’s 10th feature was, as mentioned in the intro, a rather profound mark of maturation for Pixar (which didn't exactly need to do any growing up as it was). "Up" is as engaging as any other film here, perhaps funnier than the rest and a hell of a ride, but what keeps it from the top tier of the studio’s output is, similar to "The Incredibles," a buried subtext that becomes suffocated by the admittedly rapturous goings-on of the plot. A somewhat questionable villain doesn’t help matters, but in many ways, "Up" is at least able to overcome these pitfalls with a wildly inventive yarn and a humorous cast of characters.