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10:00 AM on 08.13.2009   |   Jeff Chuang

Japanator Recommends: Ponyo photo

You know, Ponyo is only Hayao Miyazaki's latest smash hit from Japan. Why shouldn't you go watch it when it opens across 800+ theaters in America on Friday? 

Sarcasm aside, there are no real reason to get extremely giddy over a children's tale of the sea, a loose reinterpretation of the fairy tale The Little Mermaid. If anything, Ponyo deviates from the common trend of Studio Ghibli's previous mainstream animated feature films in that it is very much focused on entertaining children, and only children.

The visuals are prismatic and mysterious, pulling the audience in with its proudly hand-drawn aesthetics, but the plot might leave some parents hanging. Still, that might not be the only thing an adult can enjoy with the film. See what I mean after the jump.

Ponyo
Creator: Hayao Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli
Publisher: Disney
Originally released in Japan July 19, 2008
Released in America August 14, 2009

The characterization and plot  to Ponyo are not sophisticated, barring a couple instances when the Ponyo's mom and Sousuke's mom talk things over, and a few other instances where Asian family values are in display.  In the story, Ponyo, a magical goldfish with a human face, escapes her father's underwater lab after a fated meeting with Sousuke, the human boy at the tender age of five. As expected, after some trials and tribulations, Ponyo and Sousuke are fated together, but the interesting thing about film is the how, and not so much the way things ended.

And that takes us back to the gathering of parents and their secret chatter about their children's future. And the marvelous animation of the sea, of sea creatures, of ships at sea, and the phantasms that mark this magical film. I confess, it was so engrossing that for several moments I had Spirited Away flashbacks. You know, the part where Chihiro's mom and dad gorged on delicious, unattended morsels of epic proportions and turned into pigs. Just imagine sashimi made of the fish Ponyo ran atop in that unforgettable, stormy scene! Rest assured, you can nonetheless totally enjoy the wondrous visuals Ponyo has to offer even if you aren't planning to go to the cinema after skipping lunch (like I did).

Also, the star-studded dub shouldn't worry you either. Like most Disney dubs of Studio Ghibli films, Ponyo's dub is very competent and I believe even the potentially shrill Noah Cyrus (sister of Miley Cyrus) and Frankie Jonas (of the Jonas Brothers fame) as Ponyo and Sousuke, respectively, are no real reason to skip this film. I particularly liked the exchanges between Tina Fey and Matt Damon during the light signal scene, in which Sousuke played mediator for his mom and dad after a broken promise to come home.

With all that said, it does look like there are some things an adult can enjoy in Ponyo--besides letting the inner child loose, that is. If anything, those of you who are parents, please take your children to see the film--and don't leave any 5-year-olds at home! (Bonus item: those who get my horrible joke should take a look at this criticism piece from director Mamoru Oshii and Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki.)



MOAR TV and Film:




Legacy Comments

Even *I* liked this. ME!

Like omo says, it's probably the Ghibli film most aimed and very young children, even more so than Totoro. The story is pretty forgettable (I don't really remember what happens a month or so after seeing it...) but you'll be having too much fun looking at it to care.

Obviously I am against the very idea of a dub, but if you can't wait for the DVD release, it sounds like you won't be treated too roughly. Three thumbs up!
CORRECTION NOTE:

"I particularly liked the exchanges between Tina Fey and Liam Neeson Matt Damon during the light signal scene, in which Sousuke played mediator for his mom and dad after a broken promise to come home."

It is in fact Matt Damon who plays the roll of Sousuke's father in the dub, not Liam Neeson who plays Ponyo's father, Fujimoto.
In the commercials, I kept getting frustrated because everyone was pronouncing it "pah-nyo" as opposed to "poh-nyo". Are they doing it wrong?
Anyway, planning to see this, for sure.
Sorry, I tried to do a strikethrough on Liam Neeson's name but it didn't work. You get the point, though.
Definitely going to see this, mostly just because I'm a Ghibli freak. Will try to take my little sister to it (she loved Totoro). Funny enough, instead of me asking her if she wanted to see it, she was asking me after seeing the commercial.

Seems like this really is the biggest Ghibli release yet, eh?
I will wait for the DVD so i can see a subbed version. It's not that the actors performed badly or anything it's just that from the dub trailer it seemed like none of the actors fit the characters they were playing which is pretty wrong in my eyes. As a matter of fact that has always been a sticking point for me and Disney's dubs of Studio Ghibli films.

It doesn't matter how star studded the cast is if the voice does not fit the character.
DVD quality subbed version here:
http://isohunt.com/torrent_details/106106377/ponyo?tab=summary

(Play it in VLC media player for best results.)
CORRECTION NOTE:

oops.
@Reibooi I think they fit. Don't knock it until you see it I guess.
I think Miyazaki is ALWAYS a great experience, i hope it arrives here in the cinemas here in my country. In any case, Spanish dub is probably gonna suck anyway.
Pirate drugs are bad. Buy the damn thing when it comes out, stop shitting on people and call yourself a fan.
Going tomorrow night. I can't wait!
Oh man, I wanna see this movie so badly, but I've been so busy lately, I dunno. Still, I'm definitely looking forward to seeing Miyazaki's current masterpiece. I just hope he'll finally start getting some attention in America. I still run into fans of Totoro and Spirited Away who still say, "Huh? Who's that?" when I mention his name.
This is going to be shown at my theater, & my 7-year-old sis is interested, so I might take her to see it w/ me if it's the discount movie ($2.95 instead of $6.95 or more). Can't wait to see this.
@Omo

As I said I saw the dub trailer which has more then enough to form a basis considering it's a movie and not a series. It's not like the voices are gonna get better over time because there is no time for that to happen being a movie.

With the dub trailer I was able to form the opinion that the voices didn't fit. Key word there is opinion not everyone has the same opinion and you are certainly entitled to yours that the dub works. I on the other hand will wait for the DVD.
I usually find the Disney dubs to be highly enjoyable. Although usually I do prefer subs, Howls Moving Castle is a notable exception, causing me to be fond of Mr. Bale despite his... more interesting traits and roles. I actually feel awkward watching Howl's subbed, that's how much I enjoy the English version. However, I'm not so hot on Spirited's, I would say that the children voicing main characters probably isn't helping. Regardless, I'll probably still see Ponyo in theaters and enjoy it, even if it's not a life-changing experience the way some of his films are.
@Reibooi I respect your opinion, and the DVD route is definitely a great way to do it. FWIW I'm a subs all the way kind of guy, but I can do dubs too, and I thought this dub was just fine. Not going to win any awards though...
I will feel no shame being 20 and buying a ticket to see a rated G movie by myself
I actually didn't enjoy the movie. But thats like saying. OUT OF ALL THESE DELICIOUS THINGS I LIKE THIS THE LEAST!

I blame miyazaki for setting such a high standard for himself.

... HAM!
I totally agree with Riddle. Noooot my fav by a long shot, but still super gorgeous
I didn't watch it yet, but in the commercials one of the characters was saying Ponyo as "pawn-you" so I'm not gonna watch the dub. Especially with that leading cast....
I'll never accept another Disney dub after the Kiki's fiasco.

Ponyo is a fine movie, but go in expecting a children's movie 'cause it's a bit flat for adults.
Are they releasing the song along with the American release? It's not Ponyo without the song!
Meh I loathe dubs but Disney has always done a fine job with the Ghibli films. I am quite disappointed to hear its more child focused, as I already had one disappointment from Pixar this year. Ah well at least Sky Crawlers was awesome although I didn't have the chance to see it in the theater. I think Ill go see District 9 instead and wait for the DVD.
I don't like dubs.
I like them even less when Frankie Jonas and Noah Cyrus are voicing the main characters.
I HATE ENGLISH VOICE ACTING HERP DERP!
lol

this was the best dub I've seen in a LONG time.
I enjoyed the film
I picked the game up today, and the TvC stick came yesterday from FedEx.
This game honestly goes above and beyond, Capcom put a lot of heart into it. Between the extremely functional online, great controls, fantastic cast of characters, and adding some fan favorite new ones. There isn't much more you can ask for from a fighting game.
It is a big relief the online works well, I haven't experienced too much lag, and most matched are lag free.
What the game is missing is a good Trial mode like in SFIV and the static anime images at the end aren't Capcom art, I mean Udon does a better-than-decent job at the art, but I wish they somehow got the Tatsunoko animations at the end. The online mode could benefit from a lobby feature and voice chat (which is partially the Wii's fault). My biggest gripe is the final boss, it is just so damn stupid and not fun to fight. I know that they are suppose to be tough, even cheap, but Yami just pisses me off (more than Seth maybe).
You know, before I got meself a 360, I really wanted to play this game, but when I got it for the PC, I was shocked because it was exactly like the 360 version. For real, it's basically the same fucking game . To me, the reviewer simply gave it a 9/10 because it was a fun game to play, especially to him. It reminded him of earlier enjoyments from when he was playing what he considered the best Mario game and reminded him of the reasons why that game was considered the best. Recognizing that these reasons were fully present in the new game, its really a good game. Or at least, that is just what I'm getting at.
Also, as a closing comment to all the 360 and PS3 fans who are complaining about score, u mad. (im not saying all of you, just those guys who find it incomprehensible that a system like the Wii could hold such an awesome game).
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