Flow (2024)

Flow

• The first thing I want to start out saying is that after watching this film, you need to look up the details behind the production. The fact that this was made with a free software program blows my mind. Not just because the software is free, but it’s a testament to how the simplest ideas can be made into something extravagant, even if you don’t have a big budget or expensive equipment. The film is less than 90 minutes long, and it still has more detail and emotion than most of the films from 2024. The biggest thing that stood out was how much heart this has. Not a single word is spoken, but there isn't any need for dialogue. The animation, scenery, and character speak for themselves. The depiction of life is so spot on, and for most of the time, I never once questioned the reality of the film. What I mean is that even though it’s obviously animated and fictional, it still felt extremely authentic and lifelike. I didn’t feel like I was watching a bunch of animated animals: I felt like they were real and alive. Very few animated films can do that for me. The story is so simple, yet packed with so much movement (physical and emotional) and expressive characters. Each animal has their own personality, that’s all portrayed solely through physical expression, and especially through their eyes. The cat specifically portrayed so much feeling, and by the end, you feel completely attached to him/her. Like I said, it feels so lifelike and realistic. The scenery and setting was absolutely amazing, again feeling very natural and easy on the eyes. It’s beautiful and fills the screen with so much light and color. Even the dark scenes were vibrant. All the animal designs were amazing, and I think the tiny fish were the best of all. Every scene where there’s fish had me glued to the screen. No blinking at all. I guess I just love fish. Overall, this is probably, to me, the best animated film of 2024, and I’d recommend it to everyone. Now I’m just waiting for it to go on sale on the Criterion Collection. Instant buy. And it better take the Oscar for Animated Feature, as well as International Feature Film. This film is officially Berry Approved, so go check it out now!