AMB Reviews

Ponyo: 8.5/10 Stars

Release Date: August 14, 2009

Content Advisory: Rated G. A very powerful storm at sea wrecks havoc through a town and completely floods it. Several intense moments.

Review:

Though I've never really gotten into any anime movies, "Ponyo" spiked my interest after watching the trailer...

In Short:

"Ponyo" is the American version of a Japanese film about a goldfish princess wanting to become a human. It is a modern day re-telling of "The Little Mermaid," with five year olds as the main characters. It features a star studded cast, including Cate Blanchett, Liam Neeson, Matt Damon and Betty White. It was a simple story that was brought to life with stunning animation. Academy Award winning director Hayao Miyazaki brings us a pure and down to earth story that is sure to captivate anyone of any age.

In Full:

"Ponyo" sounds like a very dumb movie whenever someone describes its plot. It's a movie that you just have to see it, no matter how childish or stupid the storyline sounds at the time. But... I shall still try my best. "Ponyo" documents the life of Sosuke, a five year old boy who lives by the ocean with his mother. His father is in the Navy, and spends most of his time out at sea, leaving Sosuke feeling very lonely. But that all changes when he rescues a goldfish from the sea and names her Ponyo. He soo finds out that she is a goldfish princess who longs to become a human. But, her father (who is also a powerful enchanter) will stop at nothing to get her back. It's a stunning and simple story that kept me entertained throughout. This one is for all ages.

What I found most jaw dropping was how many huge Hollywood stars gave their voices for this film. Cate Blanchett is given a smaller role as a beautiful goddess, while Liam Neeson plays Ponyo's angry father. Noah Cyrus voices Ponyo, while Frankie Jonas is Sosuke. Tina Fey rounds it up as Sosuke's mother. Every actor in the film brought their character wonderfully to life, and I found it another very big pro that made "Ponyo" so marvelous.

Let's just say that the animation is way off from, per say, Pixar or Dreamworks. This is pure, honest, and simple 2-D animation. That being said, I found it absolutely spectacular. The animation seemed to bring the story to life... finishing off a wonderful story and wonderful voicing with wonderful animation... like the icing on a colossal, two-layered ice cream cake. I think that if the animation would've been any more complex, it would've detracted from the movie's beauty and simplicity.

Probably the only thing I could find wrong with the film was its occasional tendency to drag on towards the end. Up until the climax, I felt totally engrossed in the story, but once it got on its last part of the story, it seemed to drag a bit. It wouldn't have killed them if they shortened the ending up a bit, but I still left the theater feeling like I hadn't wasted any time. This movie may feel a bit slow while you're watching it, but the end credits will roll and you'll find yourself saying, "It's over already?!"

In the end, "Ponyo" is an uplifting, inspiring, cute, and family friendly anime movie that is sure to capture your heart. Though littler ones may find it a bit plodding and hard to keep still through its whole 1 hour and 40 minute running time, it should still have them entertained for most of it. This is a magical fairy tale, running alongside the likes of "The Little Mermaid." "Ponyo" had me walking out of the theater thinking that I'm going to have to start seeing more of Hayao Miyazaki's films.