Comments on: Ponyo on a Cliff by the Sea Review - 85/100 http://psgels.blogsome.com/2009/08/23/ponyo-on-a-cliff-by-the-sea-review-85100/ An anime blog covering a large variety of series, both popular and underrated. Sat, 20 Mar 2010 22:12:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=1.5.1-alpha by: mds http://psgels.blogsome.com/2009/08/23/ponyo-on-a-cliff-by-the-sea-review-85100/#comment-19158 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:14:00 +0000 http://psgels.blogsome.com/2009/08/23/ponyo-on-a-cliff-by-the-sea-review-85100/#comment-19158 I remembered that psgels has given the 10 in production values for about 4 times. This one,Bounen no Xamdou,Casshern Sins,and Batman : Gotham Knight. I remembered that psgels has given the 10 in production values for about 4 times.
This one,Bounen no Xamdou,Casshern Sins,and Batman : Gotham Knight.

]]> by: Solaris http://psgels.blogsome.com/2009/08/23/ponyo-on-a-cliff-by-the-sea-review-85100/#comment-16150 Thu, 03 Sep 2009 12:23:45 +0100 http://psgels.blogsome.com/2009/08/23/ponyo-on-a-cliff-by-the-sea-review-85100/#comment-16150 Deb, Ponyo is indeed a children's story. Theorethically speaking, all of Miyazaki's anime are intended for youngsters. As an example, Sen to Chihiro was aimed at 10 years old girls, but it had such a strong symbolism that it was more suitable to an older general audience instead. Further more, yes it was a story of friendship and love betwen kids. Love is intended as affection and not an adult way of loving, of course. Given that it's not that weird, i suppose. Deb, Ponyo is indeed a children’s story. Theorethically speaking, all of Miyazaki’s anime are intended for youngsters. As an example, Sen to Chihiro was aimed at 10 years old girls, but it had such a strong symbolism that it was more suitable to an older general audience instead.
Further more, yes it was a story of friendship and love betwen kids. Love is intended as affection and not an adult way of loving, of course. Given that it’s not that weird, i suppose.

]]> by: Deb http://psgels.blogsome.com/2009/08/23/ponyo-on-a-cliff-by-the-sea-review-85100/#comment-16145 Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:29:21 +0100 http://psgels.blogsome.com/2009/08/23/ponyo-on-a-cliff-by-the-sea-review-85100/#comment-16145 I just saw Ponyo the other night. I won’t say it was bad, but I didn’t feel it was one of Miyazaki’s best. I had to take some time to think about why that was because, in general, I like all of his movies. I think it was a little too childish and bland for my taste. I relate better to his movies when they have more adult characters in them, like Howl’s Moving Castle or Princess Monoke. I don’t know how to put this exactly, but I was a little weirded out by the fact that Ponyo was a “love” story between two kindergarten aged kids? I just saw Ponyo the other night. I won’t say it was bad, but I didn’t feel it was one of Miyazaki’s best. I had to take some time to think about why that was because, in general, I like all of his movies. I think it was a little too childish and bland for my taste. I relate better to his movies when they have more adult characters in them, like Howl’s Moving Castle or Princess Monoke. I don’t know how to put this exactly, but I was a little weirded out by the fact that Ponyo was a “love” story between two kindergarten aged kids?

]]> by: Jason http://psgels.blogsome.com/2009/08/23/ponyo-on-a-cliff-by-the-sea-review-85100/#comment-15906 Sat, 29 Aug 2009 18:30:09 +0100 http://psgels.blogsome.com/2009/08/23/ponyo-on-a-cliff-by-the-sea-review-85100/#comment-15906 Ponyo does not contain the word “end.” Instead, at the start of the film, Miyazaki gives us the caption: The Beginning. At first I thought this was a subtle joke by Miyazaki, considering that this is the man who has announced his retirement after his last three films, but soon realized that the film is about new beginnings, and the experience of watching it is akin to a rebirth. Miyazaki has crafted a piece of art that is so pure and innocent that while I was watching Ponyo every malevolent thought and action in my life was evaporated and all that remained was the pure optimism and hope of a beginning. Read my full review at http://cfilmc.com/ponyo/ Ponyo does not contain the word “end.” Instead, at the start of the film, Miyazaki gives us the caption: The Beginning. At first I thought this was a subtle joke by Miyazaki, considering that this is the man who has announced his retirement after his last three films, but soon realized that the film is about new beginnings, and the experience of watching it is akin to a rebirth. Miyazaki has crafted a piece of art that is so pure and innocent that while I was watching Ponyo every malevolent thought and action in my life was evaporated and all that remained was the pure optimism and hope of a beginning.

Read my full review at http://cfilmc.com/ponyo/

]]> by: Moo? http://psgels.blogsome.com/2009/08/23/ponyo-on-a-cliff-by-the-sea-review-85100/#comment-15825 Thu, 27 Aug 2009 23:35:20 +0100 http://psgels.blogsome.com/2009/08/23/ponyo-on-a-cliff-by-the-sea-review-85100/#comment-15825 That's great, so far you're the only one who agrees, Everyone I asked thought Howl's Moving Castle was a "Great" movie, like mindless creatures only agreeing because others do. All of Miyazaki's movies always left me with a feeling of wanting More, you know... like you can visualize a sequel in your mind or something, never wanting it to end, However Howl's was the only one that did not make me feel this way. Yea it was an interesting movie, but... it was just lacking... I was reluctant to even watching this movie because of his last work, but based on your review, I'm downloading it right now :D. That’s great, so far you’re the only one who agrees, Everyone I asked thought Howl’s Moving Castle was a “Great” movie, like mindless creatures only agreeing because others do. All of Miyazaki’s movies always left me with a feeling of wanting More, you know… like you can visualize a sequel in your mind or something, never wanting it to end, However Howl’s was the only one that did not make me feel this way. Yea it was an interesting movie, but… it was just lacking…
I was reluctant to even watching this movie because of his last work, but based on your review, I’m downloading it right now :D.

]]> by: Mark http://psgels.blogsome.com/2009/08/23/ponyo-on-a-cliff-by-the-sea-review-85100/#comment-15765 Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:06:39 +0100 http://psgels.blogsome.com/2009/08/23/ponyo-on-a-cliff-by-the-sea-review-85100/#comment-15765 @ Kalandra PSGels has given one or two other series/shows/etc,a TEN for production values. http://psgels.blogsome.com/category/finished-series/casshern-sins/ I saw it in the the theatre,and LOVED it.The Englsih dub in genereal was good,but the one cast for Ponyo herself was annoying....And why the hell did they mess with the ORIGINAL music !???! Oh...psgels...why did you refer to this movie as a series ? "My problems with this series lies within" Really ? So when is the next 'episode' of Ponyo airing !?? ^.^ Oh,and out of all the R1 releases by Disney,on behalf of Ghibli (which I own,all of on dvd) Howl,is in my top 5.Spirited Away makes my top ten.Porco,Princess Mononoke,Naussica,and Castle in the Sky,are my top 4. "Tales of...." for me and my Wife,was utter garbage.Goro should find another line of work.... No I am dead serious ! What a HUGE,massive,and completely unforgivable waste of precious Ghibli resources.No wonder father and son had a falling out over it.Its an embarrasement to the studio and Miyazaki Sr.The usually fantastic animation of course,then we are greeted with a horrible,broken plot,iffy va'ing in both langs,and simply terrible direction overall.I want my 38.98 back that I spent on the R2 dvd. @ Kalandra

PSGels has given one or two other series/shows/etc,a TEN for production values.

http://psgels.blogsome.com/category/finished-series/casshern-sins/

I saw it in the the theatre,and LOVED it.The Englsih dub in genereal was good,but the one cast for Ponyo herself was annoying….And why the hell did they mess with the ORIGINAL music !???!

Oh…psgels…why did you refer to this movie as a series ? “My problems with this series lies within” Really ? So when is the next ‘episode’
of Ponyo airing !?? ^.^

Oh,and out of all the R1 releases by Disney,on behalf of Ghibli (which I own,all of on dvd) Howl,is in my top 5.Spirited Away makes my top
ten.Porco,Princess Mononoke,Naussica,and Castle in the Sky,are my top 4.

“Tales of….” for me and my Wife,was utter garbage.Goro should find another line of work….
No I am dead serious ! What a HUGE,massive,and completely unforgivable waste of precious Ghibli resources.No wonder father and son had a falling out over it.Its an embarrasement to the studio and Miyazaki Sr.The usually fantastic animation of course,then we are greeted with a horrible,broken plot,iffy va’ing in both langs,and simply terrible direction overall.I want my 38.98 back that I spent on the R2 dvd.

]]> by: Nat http://psgels.blogsome.com/2009/08/23/ponyo-on-a-cliff-by-the-sea-review-85100/#comment-15759 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 23:11:17 +0100 http://psgels.blogsome.com/2009/08/23/ponyo-on-a-cliff-by-the-sea-review-85100/#comment-15759 Agreed. Porco Rosso is probably my favorite of his movies. And it manages to be BOTH epic and down to earth. I tried to watch Ponyo the way a five year old would watch it, and got much better results that way than if I were to analyze whether of not the tidal wave was insensitive, or whether Kosuke's dad is out fishing for whales, haha. Lots of married to the sea jokes. I am still not sure what role Ponyo's dad had to play in the story, and what this movie says about parenting. Moms > Dads, mybe. I loved Lisa btw. Agreed. Porco Rosso is probably my favorite of his movies. And it manages to be BOTH epic and down to earth.

I tried to watch Ponyo the way a five year old would watch it, and got much better results that way than if I were to analyze whether of not the tidal wave was insensitive, or whether Kosuke’s dad is out fishing for whales, haha. Lots of married to the sea jokes. I am still not sure what role Ponyo’s dad had to play in the story, and what this movie says about parenting. Moms > Dads, mybe. I loved Lisa btw.

]]> by: darkerthanblackswordsman http://psgels.blogsome.com/2009/08/23/ponyo-on-a-cliff-by-the-sea-review-85100/#comment-15752 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 18:22:43 +0100 http://psgels.blogsome.com/2009/08/23/ponyo-on-a-cliff-by-the-sea-review-85100/#comment-15752 Oh, and @Kim; Miyazaki can be criticized, but not successfully :-) Oh, and @Kim;
Miyazaki can be criticized, but not successfully :-)

]]> by: darkerthanblackswordsman http://psgels.blogsome.com/2009/08/23/ponyo-on-a-cliff-by-the-sea-review-85100/#comment-15751 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 18:20:26 +0100 http://psgels.blogsome.com/2009/08/23/ponyo-on-a-cliff-by-the-sea-review-85100/#comment-15751 I always enjoy a good Miyazaki debate, mainly because you get the full spectrum of opinions. For his best film is Howl's Moving Castle, followed by Spirited Away, Naussica, Totoro and Porco Rosso. Ponyo probably comes right after, though I am not sure. I find it strange that you consider Porco Rosso to be his most mature film, as I always thought of it as his most simple, straightforward story, with nothing really on the side. Just great characters and an incredible atmosphere (which always reminds me Casablanca for a reason unknown). But certainly, his most "mature" film is Howl's Moving Castle, which is also his most intelligent, imaginative and dense films he has ever made. You can take 10 min. of that film, and there is enough concepts, character development, emotional arcs, intellectual ideas and sheer magic and atmosphere to fill up an entire movie, without it being a stretch [the same is true for Spirited Away and Naussica, though to a lesser extent]. To all who dislike Howl, give the film another shot. It may be too dense for a lot of people to get into the first time through, but trust me, it's worth it. Having seen it 6 times, I am still finding new elements in it (and I'm not talking minor detail). As for the flood not being dangerous... how can I respond to that? I mean, what do you want? Teach kids cynicism? Rather than show the sea as something to be afraid of (which he partially does; remember the kid walking out on the beach?) he makes the sea something magical and beautiful, something that you fall in love with and want to protect and cherish. I find that to be a far better message than "nature is dangerous and is out to destroy everything around you". As for the healing of the elderly, as someone already pointed out, that was temporary. Besides, as a medical student, I can tell you that far more "miraculous" things can happen than what is shown in the film, if you can just activate the proper associations in the patient, and put him/her in the proper state of mind. patients who not only are seemingly physically incapable of walking, but have forgotten how to do so, may get up and dance with a little bit of luck. Surely magic can do better than we humble slaves of biochemistry? I always enjoy a good Miyazaki debate, mainly because you get the full spectrum of opinions. For his best film is Howl’s Moving Castle, followed by Spirited Away, Naussica, Totoro and Porco Rosso. Ponyo probably comes right after, though I am not sure.

I find it strange that you consider Porco Rosso to be his most mature film, as I always thought of it as his most simple, straightforward story, with nothing really on the side. Just great characters and an incredible atmosphere (which always reminds me Casablanca for a reason unknown). But certainly, his most “mature” film is Howl’s Moving Castle, which is also his most intelligent, imaginative and dense films he has ever made. You can take 10 min. of that film, and there is enough concepts, character development, emotional arcs, intellectual ideas and sheer magic and atmosphere to fill up an entire movie, without it being a stretch [the same is true for Spirited Away and Naussica, though to a lesser extent]. To all who dislike Howl, give the film another shot. It may be too dense for a lot of people to get into the first time through, but trust me, it’s worth it. Having seen it 6 times, I am still finding new elements in it (and I’m not talking minor detail).

As for the flood not being dangerous… how can I respond to that? I mean, what do you want? Teach kids cynicism? Rather than show the sea as something to be afraid of (which he partially does; remember the kid walking out on the beach?) he makes the sea something magical and beautiful, something that you fall in love with and want to protect and cherish. I find that to be a far better message than “nature is dangerous and is out to destroy everything around you”. As for the healing of the elderly, as someone already pointed out, that was temporary. Besides, as a medical student, I can tell you that far more “miraculous” things can happen than what is shown in the film, if you can just activate the proper associations in the patient, and put him/her in the proper state of mind. patients who not only are seemingly physically incapable of walking, but have forgotten how to do so, may get up and dance with a little bit of luck. Surely magic can do better than we humble slaves of biochemistry?

]]> by: kabli http://psgels.blogsome.com/2009/08/23/ponyo-on-a-cliff-by-the-sea-review-85100/#comment-15750 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 13:43:43 +0100 http://psgels.blogsome.com/2009/08/23/ponyo-on-a-cliff-by-the-sea-review-85100/#comment-15750 not wanna be rude to you dude but your review annoys the shit out of me. There are so many things wrong with it that makes me wanna punch everyone in the face. not wanna be rude to you dude but your review annoys the shit out of me. There are so many things wrong with it that makes me wanna punch everyone in the face.

]]> by: Konstantinos Travlos http://psgels.blogsome.com/2009/08/23/ponyo-on-a-cliff-by-the-sea-review-85100/#comment-15742 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 06:52:50 +0100 http://psgels.blogsome.com/2009/08/23/ponyo-on-a-cliff-by-the-sea-review-85100/#comment-15742 Sorry. I li9ke Nausicaa Manga and Anime. But I saw the anime before reading the manga so it may help me like the movie more then others. I like all his epic movies. Can't say something about his more children oriented ones, since I have only seen Spirited Away which I enjoyed. But I do want an new epic one from him. Howl was fun but not epic enough. Sorry. I li9ke Nausicaa Manga and Anime. But I saw the anime before reading the manga so it may help me like the movie more then others. I like all his epic movies. Can’t say something about his more children oriented ones, since I have only seen Spirited Away which I enjoyed. But I do want an new epic one from him. Howl was fun but not epic enough.

]]> by: Wyrdwad http://psgels.blogsome.com/2009/08/23/ponyo-on-a-cliff-by-the-sea-review-85100/#comment-15741 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 06:10:39 +0100 http://psgels.blogsome.com/2009/08/23/ponyo-on-a-cliff-by-the-sea-review-85100/#comment-15741 Oh, I completely agree. The only Miyazaki movie (and indeed, the only Studio Ghibli movie) I legitimately DISlike is Nausicaa. I've found every other one I've seen - which is most of them - to be, on some level, brilliant. Even Tales From Earthsea is spectacular, IMHO, and probably ranks among my favorite Studio Ghibli movies. -Tom Oh, I completely agree. The only Miyazaki movie (and indeed, the only Studio Ghibli movie) I legitimately DISlike is Nausicaa. I’ve found every other one I’ve seen - which is most of them - to be, on some level, brilliant.

Even Tales From Earthsea is spectacular, IMHO, and probably ranks among my favorite Studio Ghibli movies.

-Tom

]]> by: Theowne http://psgels.blogsome.com/2009/08/23/ponyo-on-a-cliff-by-the-sea-review-85100/#comment-15740 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 05:54:00 +0100 http://psgels.blogsome.com/2009/08/23/ponyo-on-a-cliff-by-the-sea-review-85100/#comment-15740 While Spirited Away isn't my least favourite film, I also felt like it was a bit "all over" and I didn't think it was nearly as cohesive as something like Laputa or Mononoke. I feel like it is very much overrated but only in regards to Miyazaki's other works. As a standalone film, it is still fantastic. While Spirited Away isn’t my least favourite film, I also felt like it was a bit “all over” and I didn’t think it was nearly as cohesive as something like Laputa or Mononoke. I feel like it is very much overrated but only in regards to Miyazaki’s other works. As a standalone film, it is still fantastic.

]]> by: Wyrdwad http://psgels.blogsome.com/2009/08/23/ponyo-on-a-cliff-by-the-sea-review-85100/#comment-15737 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 04:52:27 +0100 http://psgels.blogsome.com/2009/08/23/ponyo-on-a-cliff-by-the-sea-review-85100/#comment-15737 I'm gonna actually go out on a limb here, and say that my least-favorite Miyazaki work, aside from Nausicaa (which I honestly don't like at all), is probably Spirited Away. I truly don't understand all the love that movie receives... it felt like it was trying too hard to be too many things, and never spending enough time being any one of them. I like it when Miyazaki focuses - when he's all over the place, it just doesn't work as well IMHO. Castle in the Sky is one I keep forgetting about, too... I love Castle in the Sky. Probably my second- or third-favorite of his works. -Tom I’m gonna actually go out on a limb here, and say that my least-favorite Miyazaki work, aside from Nausicaa (which I honestly don’t like at all), is probably Spirited Away. I truly don’t understand all the love that movie receives… it felt like it was trying too hard to be too many things, and never spending enough time being any one of them. I like it when Miyazaki focuses - when he’s all over the place, it just doesn’t work as well IMHO.

Castle in the Sky is one I keep forgetting about, too… I love Castle in the Sky. Probably my second- or third-favorite of his works.

-Tom

]]> by: Theowne http://psgels.blogsome.com/2009/08/23/ponyo-on-a-cliff-by-the-sea-review-85100/#comment-15736 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 03:53:03 +0100 http://psgels.blogsome.com/2009/08/23/ponyo-on-a-cliff-by-the-sea-review-85100/#comment-15736 On the topic of Miyazaki in general, I'd say his best films are Mononoke -> Porco Rosso -> Totoro -> Laputa and then etc. Howl's is his worst in my opinion. But curiously I consider the best Studio Ghibli works to be two non-Miyazaki films. On the topic of Miyazaki in general, I’d say his best films are Mononoke -> Porco Rosso -> Totoro -> Laputa and then etc. Howl’s is his worst in my opinion. But curiously I consider the best Studio Ghibli works to be two non-Miyazaki films.

]]> by: Kim http://psgels.blogsome.com/2009/08/23/ponyo-on-a-cliff-by-the-sea-review-85100/#comment-15732 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 03:04:17 +0100 http://psgels.blogsome.com/2009/08/23/ponyo-on-a-cliff-by-the-sea-review-85100/#comment-15732 <i>Why can't magic and love cure all? Disney does it all the time</i> Because it is horribly cliche and I don't like it when Disney does it either. Children are smart they don't need stories where everything is solved so easily. I love Miyazaki but that doesn't mean he is above criticism. Why can’t magic and love cure all? Disney does it all the time

Because it is horribly cliche and I don’t like it when Disney does it either. Children are smart they don’t need stories where everything is solved so easily.

I love Miyazaki but that doesn’t mean he is above criticism.

]]> by: evolstar http://psgels.blogsome.com/2009/08/23/ponyo-on-a-cliff-by-the-sea-review-85100/#comment-15731 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 02:40:20 +0100 http://psgels.blogsome.com/2009/08/23/ponyo-on-a-cliff-by-the-sea-review-85100/#comment-15731 I find it interesting to read what Miyazaki film people like best. I've heard Howl's Moving Castle, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, and now Porco Russo as favorites. If there is so much debate over which one is his best, it just goes to show that Miyazaki is a brilliant director who has such a plethora of amazing films. As for this movie, I haven't seen the english dub version yet but I thought the movie was cute and the visuals outstanding. As for magic miraculously allowing the elderly to run, how about in Princess Mononoke when the forest god cured Ashitaka's bullet wound? Oh yeah, that's realistic. THIS IS A KID MOVIE, why can't magic and love cure all? Disney does it all the time! I guess I'm not one who looks for realism in a kid's movie. Realism is not something that should be looked for Miyazaki's movies. A major reason why he's so loved is his out of the box, original, fantastic characters and plots. Sorry for the ranting but I love Miyazaki (if you hadn't noticed already :) ) he is one of the reasons why I started watching anime in the first place. Spirited Away was one of the first animes I ever saw so it holds a special place in my heart. I find it interesting to read what Miyazaki film people like best. I’ve heard Howl’s Moving Castle, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, and now Porco Russo as favorites. If there is so much debate over which one is his best, it just goes to show that Miyazaki is a brilliant director who has such a plethora of amazing films.

As for this movie, I haven’t seen the english dub version yet but I thought the movie was cute and the visuals outstanding. As for magic miraculously allowing the elderly to run, how about in Princess Mononoke when the forest god cured Ashitaka’s bullet wound? Oh yeah, that’s realistic. THIS IS A KID MOVIE, why can’t magic and love cure all? Disney does it all the time!

I guess I’m not one who looks for realism in a kid’s movie. Realism is not something that should be looked for Miyazaki’s movies. A major reason why he’s so loved is his out of the box, original, fantastic characters and plots.

Sorry for the ranting but I love Miyazaki (if you hadn’t noticed already :) ) he is one of the reasons why I started watching anime in the first place. Spirited Away was one of the first animes I ever saw so it holds a special place in my heart.

]]> by: Haruka http://psgels.blogsome.com/2009/08/23/ponyo-on-a-cliff-by-the-sea-review-85100/#comment-15728 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 01:24:01 +0100 http://psgels.blogsome.com/2009/08/23/ponyo-on-a-cliff-by-the-sea-review-85100/#comment-15728 I just saw Ponyo yesterday. I thought it was fantastic and I liked the more old-school water coloured art. And I couldn't agree more on Miyazaki's portrayal of young children - it was spot on ^^. I just saw Ponyo yesterday. I thought it was fantastic and I liked the more old-school water coloured art. And I couldn’t agree more on Miyazaki’s portrayal of young children - it was spot on ^^.

]]> by: Wyrdwad http://psgels.blogsome.com/2009/08/23/ponyo-on-a-cliff-by-the-sea-review-85100/#comment-15722 Sun, 23 Aug 2009 21:37:28 +0100 http://psgels.blogsome.com/2009/08/23/ponyo-on-a-cliff-by-the-sea-review-85100/#comment-15722 Yay! I just saw this one recently myself, and absolutely loved it. I'm glad you did too - and I'm also glad I'm not the only person who considers Porco Rosso his best work. -Tom Yay! I just saw this one recently myself, and absolutely loved it. I’m glad you did too - and I’m also glad I’m not the only person who considers Porco Rosso his best work.

-Tom

]]> by: Kim http://psgels.blogsome.com/2009/08/23/ponyo-on-a-cliff-by-the-sea-review-85100/#comment-15721 Sun, 23 Aug 2009 21:36:33 +0100 http://psgels.blogsome.com/2009/08/23/ponyo-on-a-cliff-by-the-sea-review-85100/#comment-15721 I actually saw this movie last night and while I enjoyed it to an extent: loved the animation and how innocent &amp; charming it was. I did think it was lacking in plot. As someone else said Totoro was also fairly simple but I felt it wasn't as corny. I guess because it didn't have the save the world with the power of love sub plot. And while I did enjoy the spunky senior citizens. I also felt the fact that everyone called run around at the end was pretty cheap. Even in a kid's movie I don't think everything needs to be solved so easily. In some ways I think the story would have been better if Ponyo had to stay in the sea. I actually saw this movie last night and while I enjoyed it to an extent: loved the animation and how innocent & charming it was. I did think it was lacking in plot. As someone else said Totoro was also fairly simple but I felt it wasn’t as corny. I guess because it didn’t have the save the world with the power of love sub plot.

And while I did enjoy the spunky senior citizens. I also felt the fact that everyone called run around at the end was pretty cheap. Even in a kid’s movie I don’t think everything needs to be solved so easily. In some ways I think the story would have been better if Ponyo had to stay in the sea.

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