In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

Over the past couple of decades, films - esp. those aimed at younger audiences, have got into the terrible habit of adapting a patronising attitude, where all the animals are cute, and 'problems' are simplistic, with overraught moralism, and a fake veneer of 'child-ness,' have made - what had been - a whole, wonderfully diverse type of film (and TV) making into something similar to treacle; sickeningly sweet and cloying.When one thinks back to the so-called 'golden age' of cartoons, with the wonderful Warner Brothers, et. al., the thing which made those cartoons so enjoyable - for people of ALL ages was they were made so they could be enjoyed by all.A terribly dangerous thing which has gained a strong grip in media today- sort of a 'think about the children'-type nonsense, where everything seems to be judged to have 'sharp edges' (I'm saying this as a metaphor), and the 'goody-goody, (overly) concerned adults' step in - and through THEIR adult eyes - looks at things meant for children.These people will see something in an animated film, and THEY think it 'looks like' a sex organ,' and THEY think a 'small child' will also think this, and therefore, the child's , life, mind - who the hell knows - will be 'ruined.'Wrong.Children DON'T perceive ANYTHING as adults - or even as older kids do.So, a Bugs Bunny cartoon holds it's power, because no matter the viewer's age, there's always something specifically for them.I say this, because p, I just saw UP, and for this reason, I've just explained, I avoid films marketed for/to kids, because I can't stand that 'P.C.' mind-set, and it's rotting destructiveness.I can't say how utterly surprised - VERY happily so - to have seen this really well-made, film.I'm a grown-up, but, like anyone, there's always a kid in me, but, even still, I want my adult mind to find enjoyment as well, and after watching Up, I can happily say that there still beats the hearts and (creative) minds of people who understand at a film - whilst it might be 'kid-accessible,' MUST still be accessible to adults, as well.I came by staying Up, after first coming across (on YouTube) a video of 'Dug's best moments,' and I could not stop laughing - out load (a sure sign - to me, anyway) that the filmmakers 'get it.'The voice casting - Ed Asner, doing, what's pretty much an extension of his wonderful Lou Grant, is superb, as Carl, the older man, who's promise to his love, sets the film in motion.Jordan Nagai, as Russell, was a fully thought-out, living, breathing kid, and not just some plastic, lifeless part. Young. Mr. Nagai brought a real heart to Russell, a kid, I know I could partially with, who isn't perfect, comes from a divorced home, and really is just learning to find HIS way in the world.He's young, but, he's not dumb. He's polite - a real plus, but, he's also got - as Mr. Grant once memorable said - 'spunk.'He's someone I would really have liked to have known at his age.Dug - played to perfection, by Bob Peterson - is brilliant. He's not the smartest, nor the dumbest, but, he is all heart, and definitely. It's all dog-heart.His introduction, where he repeats over and over about his 'smart master,,' only to be totally distracted when he gets the scent of.. 'SQUIRREL,' had me, and I know, it must've had a lot of others laughing so hard with recognition.The filmmakers' little touches, such as Dug - and Kevin also does this - giving things to Carl and/or Russell covered in doggy (or bird) saliva, with it still hanging out of there mouths, is both funny, for it's truthfulness, and for the genuine-ness of the love and heart of these characters' for one another,I can't recommend Up enough - it sounds like so much ..., you-know-what, when someone says 'it's for all-ages,' but, Up truly is one of the few films which DOES get it right.

I saw Dug's Special Mission as I love Pixar and Up is my second favourite of Pixar's films. Plus I wanted to see what this short film was going to be like from Dug's perspective. It was very well done, with a lot of what I loved about Up shown here. As with all of Pixar's work, it is beautifully animated, with character designs that have life and backgrounds and colours that have such a bright and breezy look to them. The music has a uplifting and nostalgic feel to it, the story is cute with a lot of heart to it and while the physical humour is genuinely amusing there is always room for some poignancy as well particularly at the end. The characters do engage, I personally like Dug and I liked what was done with him here, and the other dogs, Carl and Russell are great in support. The voice work is as solid as can be. Overall, very well done, I liked it very much. 9/10 Bethany Cox

I liked this short film! It was funny, cute, and well done just like the full length movie. However, the one thing that annoyed me in this one and annoyed me in the other is I CAN'T STAND THE VOICE OF THE BIG DOG! It's kind of funny for the first few times you hear it but it starts to get annoying! It's like internet sensation Fred, he's funny the first few videos you watch but after a while he starts to get annoying. It was nice to see a different story about Dug because he was my 2nd favorite character, after Russell (Jordan Nagai). It was kind of sad for a 5 minute short film. ***SPOILERS START NOW*** My favorite part is when he sit in the hole and he starts falling through the hole and lands on his "pack". I also like no matter how hard Dug tries to be good and not mess things up he always manages to. SQUIRREL, was used in this short once which I find hilarious!***Spoilers End Now*** Overall another job well done by Pixar!

Featuring the most memorable of the canines from the feature, 'Dug's Special Mission' marks a refreshing approach for Pixar companion short films, where the events of Dug's birthday lead right into a pivotal moment from the main feature that we had only previously seen from Carl and Russell's perspective.Exploiting the sympathy and adoration many of us expressed towards Dug during the film, this short is primarily a showcase of humour up until its ending, which leaves us to take away some considerably heavy implications regarding Dug's role in the journey of a determined old man and an eager wilderness explorer. When you sit down to 'Up' again in the future you may feel the tug on your heartstrings pulling a little harder knowing what Dug's birthday wish was, or at least you'll have had a few more minutes of fun with this lovable dog.9/10