Flow

I'm gonna cut to the chase here. This is one of the most imaginative, beautiful, heartfelt movies I've ever seen. That's not hyperbole. Coming into this, I counted my favorite animated movie of all time, Wall*E, in my personal top 10 movies of all time. I'm having an internal debate on whether Flow has supplanted that. I love it that much. Flow's storyis about a young black ca t. There are no humans seen in this world, only what they've left behind. The kitty is just trying to survive. A massive flood challenges survival, and there is a strange spire off on the horizon that seems to call to the kitty. As it finds a way to travel there, it meets up with other animals looking to survive. There is so much to love about Flow, and it all intertwines to make this breathtaking piece of cinema. How Flow executes its story is a good starting point. There isn't a word of spoken dialogue. Not a single one. Just meows and barks and other animal noises. There is some light indulgence in fantasy, but 99% of the time, these animals are acting like animals. The cat behaves like a cat, the dog behaves like a dog, and so on. One might get the idea that by having the animals behave like real animals that this would restrict the movie's ability to even have a narrative, let alone tackle any kind of thematic element, and that would be wrong. Flow can be enjoyed without digging deeper, but for those that want to, there's themes of strength and perseverance, pushing past one's comforts and accepting new ideas, and the whole concept of found family. But if someone just wants to enjoy this as an adventure, that can be done as well. There's plenty of that to go around, and the animals behaving like real animals can bring up some really fun (and funny) moments. The dog is more joyful and its want for attention is more needy in that way dogs are. The cat is more adventurous but also afraid due to its size, and when its playful, it is in that mischievous way cats are. By having the animals behave realistically, it means a lot of the force behind pushing the narrative is done through other means: animation, direction, and score. Regarding the animation, OH MY GOD THIS IS GORGEOUS IN SO MANY WAYS. The art style is unique, a sort of Van Gogh-like painted appearance. Gamers like myself will be reminded of cel shading, especially in games like Okami. But then you see the movement, and you'll swear it was rotoscoped. The fluidity of movement achieved here is unbelievable. Flow is one of those animated movies that comes along once in a great while where you can feel the medium's capabilities being pushed forward. They get even the small things down, like the cat twitching its ears, or the various postures and positions the animals take in different situations. The attention to detail is impressive, and helps inform the animals as characters and how they push forward the narrative without saying a word. The direction is also a key contributor here. The camera knows when to move and explore the space, and when to sit on a moment and let it breathe. The landscapes are both familiar and alien, and when the camera captures them, we get a sense of majesty and wonder and a little fear. When it's a tighter space, the camera is still used to great effect, stepping back to get a scope of where the animals are and how small their part of the world is, or coming in close to be more intimate. There's wonderful shots of one of the animals far off in the distance, making them this tiny speck in a big, scary world. No camera movement here is wasted. Every element of what you see helps sell the story and the world in which it occurs. The score is the kind you might consider going out and buying or adding to your streaming playlist. If there is a single moment of it reused at any point, I didn't notice it. Every note and every movement feels hand-crafted to the scene without feeling overbearing or manipulative. It works in tandem with the visuals and the characters. Every moment of this movie was a treasure. This is the kind of movie that reminds you why the movies have the power they do, for both those who create them and those who watch them. Without sounding like some crotchety gatekeeper like certain directors who need to get out of the business they say they love, some movies are meant to be enjoyed as thrill rides and nothing more. And some are meant to move you in some way. Both kinds of movies are totally valid. I'm happy to sit and watch Jason Voorhees kill some naked camp counselors or Bill & Ted bumble through time and space. And sometimes, I like to be moved by what I see. As I write this, I watched this about twelve hours ago, and I'm still abuzz with a good mood because of this movie. It had that much of an effect on me. This is absolutely worth your time. I dare anybody not to be charmed and swept away by Flow.