The Ballad of Carl & Ellie

Up was, in my opinion, one of Pixar's minor efforts (although following on Wall*E's considerable heels is certainly no small feat) but, my God, has any opening sequence ever been simply as beautiful and poignant as Carl's & Ellie's?



This sublime seven-minute intro could function on its own as an amazing, free-standing, fully-drawn short film -- and blow away every long-form love story that came up against it.

But what can you say? I'm a sucker for real romance, even if it doesn't turn out exactly how you hoped.