Ponyo - Review

When I was reading about 2008's Year in Japanese Film, I saw a lot of backlash against Hayao Miyazaki's latest and probably last animated feature, PONYO. Many professional reviewers were saying that the master of anime had lost his touch with modern audiences and has made his worst film of his distinguished career. After viewing it, PONYO is certainly one of the most entertaining films of the year but does has the director re-using many of his old tropes.

The title is the name of the main character, the special fish daughter of Fujimoto, who is basically Poseidon, and the Goddess of Mercy. She sneaks away from her father's magical submarine one day to explore the human world and arrives at a small Japanese fishing town. After getting caught in a pickle jar, she is saved by the five-year old Sosuke and becomes his pet and best friend. However, her interactions with the human world and her later transformation into a human entity creates an imbalance of the Earth that could cause a global disaster.

That is really all the plot you need to know because the rest of this film is largely plot and care free. This film is a breathtaking exploration of spiritual innocence. The conflict is kept to a minimum and none of the older characters look or talk down to the children and to the spiritual world. So, you and children can share the same smile across your face and lose yourself into Miyazaki's sprawling story and animation.

The animation is certainly the most experimental of Miyazaki. The majority of background artwork and exteriors are water colored or have an impressionist style. Though an interesting aesthetic, it causes the cels to stand way too out. For the foreground animation, it varies in each and every scene. The characters are simply designed but the magical creatures and waves of water are given tons of detail. The most crowning moment is during the appearances of The Goddess of Mercy, who is richly animated. This film was done entirely by hand and it's sad that something like this is not done more often today.

The voice cast for Miyazaki's films as supervised by the Disney elite have always been given the right touch. PONYO is no exception; The actors selected fit their roles and bring more delight to the picture. The stand out is Tina Fey, who voices Sosuke's hardworking mother. The character is the only supporting player to get the most spotlight and Fey delivers on all accounts. Fey's performance shows especially during a key scene where Sosuke's mother has to make a important moral decision and needs to tell it to her son carefully.

The only problems I had with this film involves some recycling of earlier themes and designs that Miyazaki has used in previous films. The most odd ball out is a short environmentalist message in the first half. Miyazaki made an entire film about perserving the Earth (PRINCESS MONONOKE), so he doesn't need to repeat it and it has no importance to the plot. Other jarring errors are the similar character designs to previous Miyazaki creations. Fujimoto looks like a more dressed-up Howl and an elderly woman named Toki has the same body structure and clothes of Sophie, both of who are from HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE.

Despite some questionable inclusions, PONYO is a film that is a real treat to see with a crowd and especially on the big screen. Having this beautiful world sparled all over a large canvas is a rare treat to have.

FINAL REVIEW: 4 / 5