Up

Up is currently streaming in Australia on Disney Plus, and in the US on Disney Plus, and it delivers exactly the kind of comedy that earns a loyal following. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. 21,824 viewers have already rated it on TMDB — the kind of consensus that does not happen by accident. Ed Asner leads a cast with real comic timing. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on Disney Plus.

There is a reason Up keeps coming up in conversation. The jokes in Up land because the characters underneath them are worth caring about. Carl Fredricksen spent his entire life dreaming of exploring the globe and experiencing life to its fullest. But at age 78, life seems to have passed him by, until a twist of fate (and a persistent 8-year old Wilderness Explorer named Russell) gives him a new lease on life. The chemistry Ed Asner and Christopher Plummer bring to it does a lot of the heavy lifting. Up came out in 2009. The timing in Up is precise enough that even the throwaway lines land on a second watch. The hit rate here is high enough that skipping ahead never feels like an option.

Comedy fans looking for a reliably funny watch will find it in Up. It has built its own audience without needing a direct comparison. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Ed Asner's comic timing carries it through its weaker moments. The kind of comedy you recommend to someone who claims they do not watch much.