Ponyo

Ponyo is the most recent film by celebrated Japanese director/illustrator/writer Hayao Miyazaki. Like many people, I love Miyazaki films for their lavish imagery, attention to detail, and sense of wonderment. And Ponyo doesn't disappoint. Based roughly on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale "The Little Mermaid," Ponyo tells the story of a magical fish who is rescued by a little boy and turns into a girl so she can be with him. This is a great movie for people new to Miyazaki as well as long-time fans. It is both accessible and magical. I think Ponyo comes the closes to capturing the feel of My Neighbor Totoro, which is my favorite Miyazaki film. The love of Ponyo and the little boy is rare, innocent, and precious.

Miyazaki films have become more popular in the U.S., ever since Spirited Away won and Oscar. Disney/Pixar's John Lasseter is a huge fan, and thanks in part to him, the U.S. release doesn't suffer from bizarre marketing or sub-par voice-overs like some of the previous releases. I prefer subtitles to dubbing, but with a voice cast including Liam Neeson, Betty White, Tina Fey, Cate Blanchett, and Matt Damon, you can't go wrong either way. Ponyo is a movie I would recommend to young and old alike.

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My Neighbor Totoro

My Neighbor Totoro, in my opinion, is Hayao Miyazaki's greatest film. Considering his enormous and amazing body of work, that's saying something. My Neighbor Totoro isn't as well-known in the U.S. as some of Miyazaki's other works, such as Spirited Away, for which he won an Oscar. The movie was made almost twenty years ago and it is set in rural Japan, with few of the plot elements that American audiences are used to. But from the very beginning, this film is absolutely magic.

The movie begins with two little girls moving into an old house with their father. Their mother has been in the hospital for some time, and they are hoping she will be released soon. In the meantime, the girls meet their new neighbors, who are friendly people. Then one day the youngest girl discovers a furry little creatures and follows him home to his den. These forest animals are called "totoros," and they have magical powers and can't be seen by adults. The girls have several adventures with the totoros, and the big Totoro helps save the day at the end.

Part of the reason I loved this film is how it shows a different lifestyle. Despite the fantastical title characters, most of the movie takes place in a normal, real-life setting. To an American viewer it was interesting to see the differences in housing, schooling, transportation, and culture. I also love how realistic the characters are. The little sister is just as uninhibited, childish, stubborn, and temperamental as a real four year old. The girls' father is gentle and supportive, and believes them when they tell him of their adventures with Totoro. Of course, as always, the animation is gorgeous and articulate, capturing the natural movements of real children.

At its heart, My Neighbor Totoro is about human relationships and struggles, and about being happy. I heartily recommend this film to all ages.
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Princess Mononoke

This movie has become one of my favorite films by Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki, partially because it so different from the rest. Although it is a cartoon, Princess Mononoke is nothing less than an epic saga filled with armies, magical creatures, and a struggle to rule the world. The story follows Ashitaka, a prince of a small tribe who is mortally infected by a strange disease after defending his village from a corrupted animal god. Ashitaka leaves his people in search of a cure, traveling through war-torn lands and meeting people from all sides of a great brewing conflict. Some of the other characters include the leader of a mining operation, a group of men trying to kill the great god of the forest, and Princess Mononoke, a girl raised by wolves who fights the miners for control of the forest.

Ashitaka is only one small player in this story, but it is told from his perspective, drawing some comparisons to Star Wars. The story is just as sweeping as the space adventure, but they themes are different. The balance between industrialization and nature and technology and magic are prominent in the film. However, neither industry nor nature are portrayed as the "right" choice. Equally complex are the characters, many of whom are trying to kill each other and make terrible decisions. But Miyazaki makes each personality unique and nuanced -- there are no simple bad guys in this tale. Nor are there completely happy endings, although there is hope for peace and balance in the future.

Princess Mononoke is an excellent film, but be warned: it is not for small children. The level of gore and violence is much higher than your average cartoon, and it carries a PG-13 rating in the U.S. The action and thematic elements are worthy of a sprawling epic Hollywood film, but by rendering it in his gorgeous signature animation, Hayao Miyazaki has told an amazing story in a way that Hollywood never could.
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Howl's Moving Castle

Unlike most films by legendary Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki, Howl's Moving Castle is based on a previous work, a book of the same title by Diana Wynne Jones. The story follows Sophie, a meek young woman who falls under a curse that makes her old and wrinkled. She flees to the wilderness, where she encounters the giant walking castle of the mysterious wizard Howl. Sophie takes up residence in the castle as a cleaning woman, and becomes entangled in the affairs of witches, wizards, intrigue, magic, and nations at war. The animation is some of Miyazaki's best, and I enjoyed the interplay between magic and technology. I thought the story was well done, although there were parts of the plot that weren't quite as clear as they could have been. Still, they don't get in the way of an excellent movie. The English dubbing is very well done, and features such impressive voice talent as Lauren Bacall, Christian Bale, and Billy Crystal. Howl's Moving Castle is some of Miyazaki's finest work.
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Kiki's Delivery Service

Kiki's Delivery Service has many of the signature traits of films by the legendary Japanese illustrator Hayao Miyazaki. However, I think it's one of his weakest works. The plot follows Kiki, a young witch who must travel to a new city to practice magic on her own for one year. She and her sarcastic black cat, Jiji, have to adjust to both independence and city life. As the title suggests, Kiki sets up a delivery service and has several adventures and makes new friends while delivering packages. My major issue with this movie is that it doesn't have much of a point. There are some themes of self-realization and growing up, but they aren't well developed. The animation also isn't as rich and detailed as some other Miyazaki movies. I'd call this movie okay, definitely fun for kids, but after seeing other Miyazaki films, this one was something of a let-down.
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