Flow

With not a word uttered, time flies by as you witness this rollercoaster of an adventure. Unexpectedly, this was a very moving, emotional and engaging film.

The world of the story is similar to ours but it is devoid of humans. The Cat leads a happy life in what looks like a forest house, when the world is swept up by a gigantic flood. What follows is the tale of fighting against extreme odds as the Cat learns to rely on others for survival and to grow to care about his unlikely companions.

Masterful story telling and character development meet profound empathy and clear themes, this film is for everyone. Moving and uplifting. Absolutely loved it!

An incredibly beautiful film. Goosebumps. Tears. A unique concept, without words but with dialogue. With sounds and music that make your heart beat faster.

For the first time ever, I sat and couldn't get up when the credits started rolling. I had to focus on them for a moment to see who made this magic happen, and to blink away emotions from my eyes. Even the team's dogs are mentioned in the credits. And then suddenly, a surprise - another scene after the credits!

Now I feel like reading everything that I can find about the film, getting stills as my desktop and phone wallpaper, and have just ordered their Cat t-shirt.

This is a masterpiece that I can't wait to see again!

... because there is no explanation of what is happening whatsoever. There is no narration. The animals do not talk and there are no human characters. All you know is what you see for yourself. It's like a silent film in that regard - You must pay attention to the entire thing.

A cat lives alone in a world devoid of humans. There are signs of past civilization all around - entire cities, amphitheaters, statues, and even a huge statue of a cat that looks like an idol. The cat lives in a house that has the signs of past human habitation all around - there are drawings and models that indicate that whoever lived in the cat's house built the cat statues and was planning to build more.

But then a flood comes one day and the waters rise so high that practically everything is underwater. In this situation a boat comes along and the cat finds himself adrift in that boat with a capybara, a lemur, a dog, and a secretary bird. The boat really isn't adrift though, as all of the animals know how to steer the boat.

One of the more unique things about it is that the creators had the brilliant idea to set the anthropomorphization for the non-human characters to about 25%, instead of the usual 75-100% where the characters might as well be humans in animal costumes. The characters' behaviors in Flow feel entirely natural for their species -- It's just that their intelligence has been enhanced enough to allow them greater self-reflection and interspecies communication. It's all a very refreshing take versus Disney and Pixar films.

This world the film inhabits seems to be a post-human one, but I wonder. My read is that at some point shortly before the events of the film, humans became animals. The human owner of the sculptor's cottage didn't disappear. The cat is the sculptor. Also note how, before the flood, the cat wanders during the day, but at night comes home to the sculptor's house and sleeps in a human bed - the kind of thing that humans do. But that's my take. You decide.

Get ready to be utterly captivated. Flow, the 2024 animated film, isn't just good, it's an instant classic, a landmark achievement that will be talked about for years to come. This isn't hyperbole, it's a simple truth. Flow is a breathtaking journey that will touch your heart, ignite your imagination, and leave you in absolute awe.

From the very first frame, the film's visual splendor grabs you. The animation is nothing short of revolutionary, seamlessly blending traditional techniques with cutting-edge technology to create a world that feels both familiar and fantastical. Every detail, from the subtle textures of fur to the luminous glow of a twilight sky, is meticulously crafted, drawing you into a vibrant and immersive experience. This is animation as high art, pushing the boundaries of the medium to create something truly extraordinary.

But Flow isn't just a pretty face. Beneath its stunning visuals lies a story that is equally compelling. The plot, which follows a young cat separated from his family in a flood, a group of unlikely animal friends on an epic adventure, is both simple and profound. It tackles universal themes of resilience, the importance of home, the power of friendship with a deft touch, avoiding heavy-handedness while still packing an emotional punch. You'll find yourself instantly invested in the characters, their struggles, and their triumphs. The film manages to be both cute and incredibly moving. The characters are so well designed and they're hard to not love.

The film's cuteness factor is undeniable. The characters, with their expressive eyes and endearing quirks, are instantly lovable. Flow will be a family movie to remember. But this isn't a film that relies on saccharine sweetness. It's the imaginative world-building, the whimsical details, and the sheer joy of discovery that will enchant you. The film's heart-warming core is earned, emerging organically from the characters' journeys and the challenges they overcome.

In a sea of animated films, Flow stands tall. It is a masterpiece, a testament to the power of animation to transport us to other worlds and tell stories that resonate deeply. This is a film that will appeal to audiences of all ages, a cinematic experience that will stay with you long after the credits roll. Flow is not just one of the greatest animated films of the year; it's one of the greatest animated films of all time. Don't miss it.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

Bravo everyone! Show to the Hollywood how it's done!

Such a beautiful story - no words, no explanation - so liberating!

Liberating from "someone else's burden", as Nietzsche would say.

Liberating from imposed narrations.

Liberating from expectations.

Mind goes "Oh, it's a modern interpretation of Noah's Ark" - no it's bloody NOT! - "But what happened, why are they...?" - it doesn't matter!

"Is the end of the world shown?" - No, it's not.

It's just an excerpt of some situation, some flood, somewhere, sometime - experienced through the eyes of certain creatures - and VERY beautifully depicted in this fantastic film.