UP 2: NEW STORY (2025)
August 17, 2025
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Movie Review: “UP 2: New Story” (2025)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5)
After more than a decade since Pixar’s beloved Up first captured our hearts, Up 2: New Story (2025) soars into theaters with both nostalgia and a refreshing new adventure. While sequels to classics are always a risky move, this one manages to float gracefully somewhere between homage and innovation.
Set several years after the original film, Up 2 introduces us to an older Russell—now a young adult—who is following in Carl Fredricksen’s footsteps, quite literally. Russell, now a junior wilderness guide instructor, discovers a lost letter from Carl that reveals one last unfulfilled dream. What follows is a heartfelt journey across the globe—this time to the icy landscapes of Patagonia—with Kevin’s offspring (yes, more bird chaos), a high-tech talking drone, and a new cast of quirky characters.
The animation is, unsurprisingly, breathtaking. Pixar once again proves they are masters of visual storytelling, with sweeping vistas, expressive character animation, and a deeply emotional color palette that mirrors the journey of the characters.
While Up 2 doesn’t quite hit the emotional highs of the original’s iconic opening montage (how could it?), it delivers its own share of poignant moments, especially in its exploration of legacy, grief, and growing up. The voice performances—particularly Jordan Fisher as adult Russell—are warm and convincing, and Ed Asner’s brief posthumous cameo (through archived voice recordings) is respectfully and beautifully handled.
Some fans might find the plot slightly more action-driven and less emotionally focused, but Up 2 succeeds in creating a story that stands on its own while honoring the spirit of the first film.
Verdict: Up 2: New Story doesn’t try to replace the original—it expands it. With heart, humor, and a new adventure worth taking, it reminds us that while balloons may pop and people may go, the journey never really ends.