lmabadie I knew about this film since I was a kid and had heard great reviews about it, although I never saw it .myself when I was young I finally got to watch it recently as an adult and although I watched it with interest and high expectations I was somewhat disappointed that it did not move me us much as I expected. I totally understand those that watched this movie when young and could identify themselves with the boy in the film. Probably at that time it was great and now they are re-experiencing those emotions with nostalgia. But I think it will not bring the same thing out of the new generations nor from the adults watching the film for the first time. In summary, it was cute, not a bad experience and one of those films that you HAVE to watch, but outdated.

OllieSuave-007 I saw this short film in my 1st year French class in high school. I don't remember much from the film, only that it is a story about a young boy who follows a red balloon, which has a mind of its own, around where ever it goes, or the balloon follows the boy around wherever he goes.There is no spoken dialog in the film, except on a few occasions where the boy utters "Balloon, Balloon!" It is a somewhat adorable little film, but very awkward at times as there is no dialog. So, you basically have to decipher the plot based solely on action. I guess this sort of takes you back to the films of the silent era. Overall, a pretty heartwarming film - full of imagination.Grade B-

andrewgage Like so many others who have contributed reviews of The Red Balloon, I too had special memories, long buried and locked away in my mind, that resurfaced immediately when I ran across a still image from the movie. I, too, had one of those "I must see this again" responses to that memory. It's kind of weird when you think about it - like a subconscious or hypnotic suggestion that got planted in our brains 30, 40, 50 years ago...Watching it again I was surprised at how little of it I actually remembered. But the image of the boy with the giant round red balloon was seared into my psyche as a child, and it now evokes emotions and nostalgic feelings unlike any others I have yet re-experienced.Now, as an adult in 2012, I am struck by the photographic and emotional brilliance of juxtaposing a vividly red over-sized and very round balloon against a predominantly gray backdrop. Even the boy is dressed entirely in gray when he adopts the balloon. From the moment the balloon enters the stage it becomes the point of visual contrast. The film, shot in Technicolor, was probably not manipulated too much in terms of its tonality the way digital editors do today. What you see is pretty much what was there. And that was a lot of blue-gray neutral tones and one big bright red balloon.I am also aware of something else. Maybe some have discussed this, maybe not. But beyond the story and any subliminal, archetypal references to Christianity or other mysticism or fable is the magic of how the film was made. I don't know how they did it. Obviously they had some means of controlling the balloon's movement. I did not see any strings or wires aside from the rather hefty string attached to the balloon throughout the film (granted, I was watching it on Youtube, so, not the best optical quality). Not only does the balloon bob and weave, rise and fall and thus become its own character with apparent emotions and seemingly intentional playfulness, but the white string dangling from the balloon has its own "emotions" attached to it, much like a cat's tail. So not only did the director succeed in the challenge of making a balloon appear to have a mind of its own, he also somehow gave the "tail" a separate personality.Given that this film was made in the mid-1950's, the technique the director used to maneuver the balloon and its string was undoubtedly some sort of wonderful feat at the time. If the film were made today, the balloon would be CGI-ed in post (and any guide wires would be digitally erased). Big whoop. Let's see Hollywood filmmakers return to real filmmaking magic rather than defaulting to computer-generated stuff that goes so far beyond 'analog' (natural) credibility that it becomes un-real. What makes The Red Balloon so much more special today, in my opinion, is that we KNOW that a real balloon can't possibly do the things that this red balloon does. And yet we know that this balloon IS a real balloon. And we are mystified and enchanted as a result. Therein lies the true magic of filmmaking.

Atreyu_II This is one of the cutest films of all time. Well, it isn't just cute, it's also very good and it serves very well as a time machine. Watching this is like a return to the days of innocence and happiness. Although aimed at children, I think this short film is appropriate for anyone who appreciates this kind of cinema or identifies with it: children, adolescents, adults, old people (whatever).The story is juvenile and simple, and much heart and soul is put into it. Obviously it was made with love and care. Despite being almost wordless, it's very easy to understand what is seen.What we have here is the tale of a little boy (Pascal) who finds a large red balloon in the streets of Paris. It's not an ordinary balloon, it has a mind of its own, like a living being except that it doesn't talk. Therefore, a silent but alive balloon. The child and the balloon immediately develop a chemistry.This is a generally very happy, fun and nostalgic short film. Not a "let down", but its one sad part is when the friendly balloon is killed by a bunch of horrible kids who are jealous of the boy and his beloved balloon. The boy will certainly never forget his devoted friend balloon.This great little film looks surprisingly fresh considering its age. It certainly doesn't look like it was made in the 50's. For example, 'The 400 Blows' (another great movie) was made few years later and it looks older.'The Red Balloon' was directed by Albert Lamorisse and his two children are in it: Pascal Lamorisse as Pascal and Sabine Lamorisse as the little girl with a lively blue balloon. The kids act fine. It's kinda amusing that they play kids who don't know each other and act like strangers and yet in real life they are related.The cinematography is très magnifique. Paris is a lovely city but it was especially beautiful back then, in the good old times. The music combines perfectly with the charm and beauty of the city, as well as of the short film itself.This should definitely be on Top 250.