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Ponyo showcases animation studio's skills Ponyo opens August 14 Rated: G By Abby Brennan St. Thomas Aquinas Important: This article was last updated on August 14, 2009. Please call ahead to confirm hours, prices, dates and other information.
If you're a fan of Hayao Miyazaki, animator of Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle, you don't need this review. Just go see Ponyo. If you're not a fan, then where have you been? Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli is perhaps the finest animation studio in the entire world, and it shows in this film. Every scene of Ponyo is beautifully drawn, mostly by hand, with only slight use of computers. The ocean takes your breath away--from the fish to Ponyo's sisters to the tsunami, every cell of it is incredible. The plot, loosely based on The Little Mermaid, serves the visuals well. The protagonist, Ponyo (Noah Cyrus, best known as Hannah Montana's sister), is the fish daughter of a human-hating environmentalist sorcerer and a sea… giant… woman… thing… One day, Sosuke (Frankie Jonas, best known as "the Jonas brother not in the Jonas Brothers"), a 5-year-old human boy, takes her from the ocean for show-and-tell. Discovering the wonders of Earth life, Sosuke's love and, of course, ham sandwiches, Ponyo decides to become human. Unfortunately, a fish becoming a person messes up the balance of nature and might destroy the world. The literal fish-out-of-water situation Ponyo finds herself in creates an opportunity for dry humor. Miyazaki never really bothers to explain why Ponyo coming to land creates such problems, who her mother actually is, what her father's elixirs have to do with anything or several other plot points. But the story is entertaining enough and the characters lovable enough that you don't really care. Even ignoring various Disney relatives, the level of vocal talent is extraordinary. Cate Blanchett, Cloris Leachman, Tina Fey, Liam Neeson and many others enliven the story. The storyline has an innate optimism, faith in humanity and belief in the power of love that's touching. Ponyo herself is perhaps the most purely adorable animation character since Wall-E. Do not go into this movie expecting a villain, or even much of a conflict. As in most Miyazaki films, all the characters are good people who honestly try their best. Even if you're not a Miyazaki fan, this movie might make you one. |
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