Movie Review: Ponyo (2009)
It's impossible to find anything negative to say
Photo: Walt Disney Pictures
A fellow critic here in Seattle told me he considered Hayao Miyazaki one of the five greatest directors working today. Agree with the top five placement or not, it's a statement I can't, won't and didn't argue with. Miyazaki's films are some of the most imaginative, unique, magical, beautiful and downright playful films you will see, and Ponyo is no different.
The voice cast includes Noah Cyrus, Frankie Jonas, Tina Fey, Liam Neeson, Cloris Leachman, Lily Tomlin, Betty White, Cate Blanchett and Matt Damon. For more information on this film including pictures, trailers and a detailed synopsis choose from the following menu.
Review
"Ponyo" is a Walt Disney Pictures release, directed by Hayao Miyazaki and is rated G The running time is 1 hour 40 minutes.
When 5-year-old Sosuke (voiced by Frankie Jonas) heads down to the beach from his cliff-side house he stumbles upon Ponyo trapped in a glass jar. After setting her free, magic happens and Ponyo gains the ability to transform into a young girl Sosuke's age. Is this turn of events met with confusion by Sosuke's mother? Not at all, after all there is no time. What Ponyo has not considered is her transformation has caused an imbalance in nature. The moon is sinking and causing the sea to rise. Sosuke's seaside village is entirely underwater and only the friendship between Ponyo and Sosuke can save it.
Along with the adventures of Sosuke and Ponyo, perhaps the most memorable moments come in the form of Ponyo's first steps as a human. She rushes around Sosuke's house, clutching the green pail he first carried her in, sucking down noodles, running full boar into the sliding glass door and consistently proclaiming her love for ham before passing out on the couch. Of all the magic in Miyazaki's stories and animation, it has always been his ability to portray children that has captured my attention. Their slightest gestures and their curiosity are mirrored in every movement. Those puffy cheeks and wide eyes are so inviting you can't help but become fascinated. With Ponyo we get not one, but two such children and they are a handful to keep up with.
Another joy of a Miyazaki feature is that even the absurdities are met with such simple-minded acceptance you can't help but laugh along with them. For example, a wave is obviously chasing Sosuke as he is saving Ponyo. He narrowly escapes only to turn around and say dryly, "That was weird." Yeah, it was weird, that wave just tried to eat you! Even better is Sosuke's mother (voiced by Tina Fey) throwing a temper tantrum at the news her husband (voiced by Matt Damon) won't be coming home from sea. She proceeds to crack open a beer and collapse on the bed, which is followed by an absolutely hilarious moment of Morse Code ending in a brilliant display of lights. From downright human behavior, to the absurd, to comedic and finally ending in a moment of beauty this film delivers it all.
Everything in a Miyazaki feature seems to have a life of its own. Even the ocean has eyes as Ponyo's concerned father (voiced by Liam Neeson) can command the waves to do his bidding. Filled with colors and organic imagery you can't help but get lost in, Ponyo is another Miyazaki classic that will hopefully bring even more audience members into the filmmaker's circle of fans.
Also featuring the voices of Cloris Leachman, Lily Tomlin, Betty White and Cate Blanchett the English language translation works just fine, although I am sure some purists will say it takes away from the authenticity of it all. I disagree, but once the DVD is released you can spend your time watching it however you like, just as long as you are watching it.
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I notice the review on the AP calls this very boring. “Ponyo” will seem beautiful but surprisingly boring: a children’s film that’s at once overly simplistic and needlessly nonsensical.
I was introduced to Hayao Miyazaki by my granddaughter several years ago when she herself was a child. From an early age she has been a voracious reader and film lover. She, like all children, embraced Miyazaki's world without criticism. Now that she's a self styled sophisticated teen, discussing his work still brings a smile to her face. He has the gift to cross over cultures and touch something essential in his audience, whatever the age.
@Steve: If some people find that boring, they may need to loosen their belt a few notches. They're wound too tight.
I think Miyazaki is one of the top 10 directors ever. All his movies (and I've seen all of them) make me smile and giggle like a child. I never want his movies to end.
Yeah, I'm sure it does seem boring compared to a Disney animated film with Robin Williams and Whoopi Goldberg spewing out nonstop pop culture references, or another Shrek film with… nonstop pop culture references plus fart jokes. Miyazaki makes enchanting films with depth and feeling and the aura of beloved classics of children's literature. It's a shame some people don't know how fortunate they are we have someone like him making truly great animated movies with actual storytelling values and aesthetics when most are either extended toy commercials or exercises in crass excess.
"I am sure some purists will say it takes away from the authenticity of it all. I disagree, but once the DVD is released you can spend your time watching it however you like"
PONYO ON THE CLIFF (why did they shorten it to 'PONYO' when it released O/S?) doesn't suffer as much from dubbing as other Ghibli films, so as one of those Purists, I can let it go. Overall Miyazaki's films translate better than those from other directors from the studio because of the heavy fantasy element in his work. But it's a mortal sin to put American accents over the top of the distinctly Japanese MY NEIGHBORS THE YAMADAS, ONLY YESTERDAY, WHISPER OF THE HEART, or THE OCEAN WAVES which are so appealing because of their cultural minutiae.
@Badge:
This is just me, but "Ponyo on the Cliff" is a really, really awkward title for a movie, so I totally understand why someone might want to shorten it to better market the film.
I mentioned wanting to see Ponyo to some friends yesterday, and their response was, "Disney's sad attempt at Anime? Eww! No thanks." I tried explaining to them that Disney did not make the film, just dub it, and that it was directed by a person who is widely regarded by film critics to be a genius. But they were still incredulous. I really hope their opinion and misunderstanding of the nature of this film isn't of the majority, but I get the feeling that it is.
I think the "old school" style anime animation here could work against this movie. Kids don't just like "childish" stuff. If the movie looks "old," they're less apt to go see it. And, if kids aren't clamoring to see it, parents won't take them, because let's be honest: this is for kids. I don't think it's going to do well here. The story sounds great, and it looks beautiful, but I don't think it's going to appeal to American audiences, children or otherwise. Just animation junkies. Hope I'm wrong.
@kdogg: You couldn't be further from the truth. Go onto Youtube and watch part of one of his other works, "Spirited Away."
It was my granddaughter who turned me onto Hayao Miyazaki. He is a master craftsman. Kids form an instinctive audience and they will sink into Hayao Miyazaki's universal imagination if allowed to. Saying kids won't appreciate this is like saying, don't bother getting a genuine Tiffani lamp because it's just another lamp.
@Patricia: Right. Ponyo made like $3 million dollars or something. That means no one showed up. That means I'm right. You can't project a trend based off one kid you know.
@kdogg: Kids don't drive themselves to the movies, nor pay their own way. This film is flying under the radar for most people.
Please, please, do not judge a film by its boxoffice. This is NOT a case of "Kids don't just like 'childish' stuff. If the movie looks 'old,' they're less apt to go see it." Kids are less apt to see it if they don't know about it and neither do the parents. There's a reason Hollywood sinks big bucks into promotion.
I thought you said you'd be happy to be wrong. You sound overjoyed.
Silly comment, but I liked the title "Ponyo on the cliff by the sea". It sounded like a Eric Rohmer movie.
i do not care wht people say anime rules and all Hayao Miyazaki draws the animations. you try drawing all tht in a cute manga/anime way. i love both manga and anime so do not be mean about the movie so wht if it looks old. these anime and manga is not a easy find. trust me and i love watching anime and drawing manga. everything about art i love. my mums draws great so does my pa and i go to a manga club. so if ur writing something be nice the person is very creative. just cause u may not like doesnt mean other will not like it. this person done lots of movies check on amazon
I loved it, just like all the other Miyazaki films I've seen.
My 3 year old loves this movie. My husband and I feel that some things might have been lost in translation. It is a very sweet love story though.