One of my sons was a medical study participant. I never thought I’d allow my kid to be studied for the benefit of literally millions of others, but I did and I have no regrets.

It’s over, so I wrote about the experience. It’s at Mile High Mamas.

See you there.

Is Up sad? I’ll offer my opinion and try to keep spoilers to a minimum.

Several people have mentioned they heard it was a sad movie. I admit I am baffled by this. I found it to be absolutely alive. I saw resilience and triumph. I laughed like I haven’t laughed at a movie in years.

There are sad moments, certainly. Within the first ten minutes, we were treated to a montage of the hero’s 70-year-long relationship with his beloved wife. They dream of adventure, saving their pennies for future dream fulfillment. Life happens, though. Heartbreaks occur and are briefly referenced, all without dialogue. It was poignantly done.

Honestly, the few sad and gritty moments went right over my kids’ heads. The adults in the theater were sniffling and honking into Kleenexes. I was too. It takes a certain sophistication to discern the exact heartaches the couple endure. I don’t mind movies with sad aspects. It’s good to be emotionally challenged sometimes, even by a movie with a dog chef.

There are intense moments with the characters in peril. There is a villain and his very unusual army. As an adult, I knew everything would be okay in the end. An inexperienced movie watcher, like a small child who hasn’t seen anything more intense than Max and Ruby fighting over a garden hose, might find it overwhelming.

I came away thinking Up, so simple in premise, was more real and rich than anything Hollywood has cranked out in ages. You can tell the people at Pixar who made the movie are the types who find life to be a beautiful mystery, despite inevitable heartaches.

I feel the same way. I think that’s why I liked it so much.