Flow - The Criterion Collection 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray

A nameless cat, a nameless dog, a nameless bird, a nameless lemur, and a nameless capybara all become unlikely allies and friends in a massive deluge that seems to have flooded the entire world. The setting of Flow is never quite clear, but it doesn't matter, because the world it inhabits is a fantastical one where humans seem to have died out a long time ago, if they ever existed in the first place. We see houses, long abandoned, and shrines to animals, aged and covered in moss.

As the story begins, the nameless, gray cat is chased by a pack of dogs before being struck by a wave and thrown downstream. One of the dogs gets separated from the rest of the pack and follows the cat wherever it goes. The cat seeks refuge in a house, where the waters of the flood appear again. Slowly, every piece of land that the story settles on sinks underwater. The cat and the dog escape and encounter other animals that are also trying to make their way to safety.

Flow suffers somewhat from what I call "El Mariachi Syndrome." El Mariachi was Robert Rodriguez’s debut film, which was famously produced for a mere $7,000 budget. Flow was famously animated in a free, open-source software called Blender. Like El Mariachi, whenever anyone talks about Flow, the conversation inevitably revolves around its production, with comments like, “Wow! Can you believe it was animated in Blender!” and no one discussing the film itself. Again, like El Mariachi, it’s a wonderful story in its own right. I believe it’s a testament to the power of storytelling that if you have a great idea and a talented team, you can make anything work. Whether it’s a free, open-source software or a $7,000 budget, you can tell your story.

There are moments in Flow that I found myself blinking away tears - not because the story is so sad (though it can be), but because it’s so perfectly captured. The imagery, the music, the sounds, they all come together in support of a moment of profound impact. The “acting” of the animals, how they pace when nervous, how they hop around when happy, adds to a brilliant kind of realism in a story that toes the line between real and fantasy. Flow is a terrific film, not just for an animated feature, but for film as a whole. It’s a masterpiece, a rare kind of Great film with a capital “G” that can be experienced and loved by audiences of all ages. Whether you’re four years old or 100 years old, Flow is going to be an incredible cinematic experience.

Vital Disc Stats: The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray
Flow comes to 4K UHD from the Criterion Collection in a three-disc release. The main feature is available in 4K UHD/1080p HD on two separate discs, with the majority of special features found on the third Blu-ray disc. Inside the case is a booklet containing an essay by Nicolas Rapold and stickers! The interior case, which houses the discs, has a wide screenshot from the movie, while the case, booklet, and stickers are enveloped by a rigid case with semi-holographic poster artwork.

For its 4K UHD release from the Criterion Collection, Flow is presented in SDR. There is no HDR grading or Dolby Vision implementation, and while I’m sure there will be some who lament this decision, I am not among them. First of all, Flow was not originally animated with HDR in mind, so a standard dynamic range is more suitable for its originally intended video presentation. But it’s also hard to argue with what should have been done when the results look this good. It may sound hyperbolic, but Flow is absolutely breathtaking, with some moments of beauty so striking that it reminds you of the raw, awesome power of animation as a whole.

Flow has an aesthetic that is, at once, reminiscent of the works of Studio Ghibli, or even the newer Zelda games (like Breath of the Wild) through its use of toon shading, but is also unique unto itself. It wears its influences on its sleeve, but forges its own path by combining those elements so thoughtfully. While details aren’t always razor sharp, they weren’t meant to be. The world of Flow feels alive, in all its colorful vibrancy and richly detailed sets.

While a part of me believes it would have been nice to have gotten a Dolby Atmos mix for this release, it's tough to argue with the results of its DTS-HD MA 7.1 mix, which is nothing short of masterful. The sound design encompasses the entirety of the stage, from the front to the rears and the sides. Ambient activity is at a constant level, with chirruping bugs, lapping water, and a gentle breeze. Louder effects, like a crashing wave, pack a punch without ever being overly loud, engaging the subwoofer through some ingenious use of LFEs. And the musical score surrounds the listener through all 7.1 channels as it reaches an emotional crescendo. Truly, this mix is a work of art.

For its release of Flow, Criterion has assembled a lot of terrific supplements that dive into the film’s production history, the director’s past works and shorts, along with a look inside to how the sausage is made through animatics and more.

4K Disc

• Audio Commentary – Director Gints Zilbalodis
• Away (4K UHD 1:15:18) - Gints Zilbalodis’ debut animated feature from 2019

Blu-ray Disc One

• Audio Commentary – Director Gints Zilbalodis
• Away (HD 1:15:18) - Gints Zilbalodis’ debut animated feature from 2019

Blu-ray Disc Two

• Meet the Filmmakers (HD 13:20) – Interview with Gints Zilbalodis
• Feline Phenomenon (HD 10:47) – Interview with cowriter-coproducer Mat?ss Kaža
• Dream Cat (HD 57:58) - Making-of documentary produced for Latvian Television
• Aqua (HD 7:35) – Short film by Gints Zilbalodis with optional audio commentary
• Priorities (HD 9:27) - Short film by Gints Zilbalodis with optional audio commentary
• Unused Shots (HD 9:50)
• Feature-Length Animatic
• Proof-of-Concept Teasers
• Trailers
• TV Spots

Movies like Flow are a reminder of the power of cinema. It’s such a simple story, simply told, beautifully realized, and filled with incredible details. There is not a wasted moment to be found. Every small moment is a piece of a large, intricate tapestry, a wonderful whole that comes together in unexpected, surprising ways. Flow is a rare story that can appeal to everyone, without being burdened by language. Whether you’re an old grump like me, a small child, or even just a child at heart, there’s so much to love and admire. Flow, from the Criterion Collection, is a Must Own.