Rarely do family films this nuanced and essential grace my eyes.

Jonze's vision and Burwell's score effortlessly immerse us into the vibrant childhood psyche, letting us savor its innocent joy and imaginative wonders, but quickly warning us of the emotional collateral damage it can bear. Loneliness is a beautiful recurring theme here, with each creature given a distinct struggle from which Max learns to better himself (in an Oscar-robbed performance!), but his bond w/ Carol proves to be the most heartwrenching, creating a perfect microcosm of the film's messages with conflicts both subtle and frantic.

Like Spirited Away this year, this film both reminded me of my euphoric, seemingly boundless childhood, and yet instructed me to take that scary, crucial next step to this thing called "adult". Thank you, Spike.