Directed by Momoko Seto, Dandelion’s Odyssey is my 7th Cannes screening and I want to talk about it here. Rescued from a nuclear explosion that destroyed the Earth, four seeds of a dandelion find themselves hurled into the cosmos, travelling through planets and constellations. When they land on an unknown planet, they set off on an unforgettable adventure to find a new home and settle for good.

When I first heard this title, I was expecting something lighthearted. While it can be lighthearted at times, I was not at all expecting how deeply meaningful and thematic it would be nor did I expect it to have some incredible animation mixed in with life-like imagery.

The best way to compare this to anything is with last year’s Flow, which won Best Animated Feature at the Oscars. Much like that film, there is no dialogue in this film and it involves characters going on a journey. I think what makes me still like this without comparing the two too much is the way it tackles the environment and how we should still see the environment as people.

Through this approach, I can easily see this being a great lesson for kids to be kind to others and the environment they consume. While the environment may not look much at times, treating the environment with respect can help us live in a healthy environment that’s full of life.

While I was a little perplexed by the way these dandelions travel the galaxy, I still understood the point. It’s through their journey where they may seem small, but their presence has a profound impact. To leave this world and to find life on another shows that something small can still start over somewhere else.

The animation may be hit or miss for viewers. I’ll admit that I don’t know much about animation, so it’s always hard for me to critique it and to offer suggestions for improvement. I really liked how the environment looked realistic at times, but it is clear when the animation may look out of place at times. Just when I felt like it was realistic, the immersion broke at times. I still found myself impressed with the overall look & design of the film.

Following four characters, it’s amazing how every single one manages to bring so much life to the film. Director Momoko Seto understands the importance of bringing these characters to life with different personalities to help us care more about their journey.

Finally, I want to bring up the breathtaking score. I can easily see this score breaking into my top 10 of the year by the end of the year. It acts as another character to the film that helps deepen the emotional core this film presents.

Overall, Dandelion’s Odyssey is incredible from start to finish. The animation immerses you into this world while utilizing modern day animation. The score is terrific and director Momoko Seto shows the importance of the environment. If you’re a fan of something like Flow, I highly encourage you to seek this one out when available.

VERDICT: 4/5 (Great)