Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea

[vivafruit]

Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea
(a.k.a. Gake no Ue no Ponyo)

Synopsis, screenshots, recommendations ~ Add Recommendations

Site Reviews: vivafruit 

Discuss the completed anime or post full reviews here. Post format and full rules can be found here.
__________________________________________


Posted!

[KiraRin]

I've ont watched this yet, so afraid I can't help with the character section...

Originally Posted by vivafruit

Story – 8.5

After several movies from Miyazaki that have been both narratively and visually complex, Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea feels like a return to "classic" Ghibli. The film is simpler both in its plot and animation style, having more in common with My Neighbor Totoro than any of Miyazaki’s recent efforts. The difference is so pronounced, in fact, that Ponyo often feels like watching a time-capsuled Ghibli from the late 80s. <-- you use "miyazaki" 3 times in the first 4 sentences.

The story is one of Miyazaki’s simplest yet, and anyone with even a decent grasp of Japanese will be probably be able to watch the film without subtitles. However, while this extreme simplicity may end up being a turn-off for many viewers, there is a lot to love in the no-frills story involving the relationship between Sousuke and the adorable Ponyo. In the beginning, the film’s slice-of-life interaction between the two bears a definite resemblance to what was done last year in Kappa no Coo to Natsuyasumi, but the anime diverges considerably after that - and much for the better. From its normal, everyday setting, Ponyo eventually blossoms into a wonderfully imaginative work that is as delightful as it is unpredictable.

That said, not everyone will be able to enjoy the film. One of the common criticisms of Spirited Away is that it more focused on showing cool stuff than developing an intricate storyline, and Ponyo also bears that flaw to a certain extent. <--- what kind of cool stuff? Visuals? Impressive magical events? Moreover, Ponyo is childish and straightforward, and will hardly convince would-be detractors prepared to dismiss Ghibli as “for kids.” <-- I just feel that this is a little unfinsihed. Maybe "would convince [...] "for kids" when the studio offers much, much more for an older viewer"

Nonetheless, those who don’t automatically assign simplicity as a fault should heavily enjoy Ponyo’s adorably creative narrative.

Animation – 10

Visually, Ponyo is a large step down in complexity to what was done in [from that of] Howl’s Moving Castle. That's not to say that the animation isn't great, however, because it is. At times, the underwater scenes in Ponyo are so vivaciously animated that the images seem to bubble off the screen. As in most Ghiblies, there is a sense of life and wonder that, by comparison, feels all but missing in most productions <-- something sits wrong in this sentence, and I'm not sure what. I think its the lack of clarification of "most productions". I know what you mean, but I think it could be clearer. Vividly inventive and at times breathtaking, there are countless scenes that only Ghibli's loving care could create, and discovering them is pure, undiluted joy.

Sound - 8

I watched a subtitled version, so I am unable to comment on how the English dub turned out. From the pedigree of the voice actors involved, however, I suspect that you can’t go wrong either way. If anything, the English version may turn out to be (gasp!) an improvement. As is, the Japanese dub is competent, but unremarkable.

On the other hand, the instrumental soundtrack, composed by the ever-masterful Joe Hisashi, works wonders at accentuating the action on the screen. One piece that plays during a particularly dramatic flood scene evokes Wagner’s classic “Ride of the Valkyries” to awe-inspiring effect.

Characters – 7.5

Like many other Miyazaki films, there is a notable lack of villains in the entire production. Characters that are [initially] menacing to begin with [comma] turn out to have well-meaning intentions, and ultimately the conflict is not against any one evil so much as it is against abstract entities like pollution or ecological imbalance.

As far as protagonists go, the chipper Sosuke is fine but ultimately takes a backseat to the brilliantly developed Ponyo, who manages to delight and endear every time she has a chance. The supporting characters are charming, albeit relatively undeveloped, and do a reasonable job at moving the storyline along.

Overall 8.5

As a whole, Ponyo is a wonderful anime and the first to truly "wow" me this year. The film is also a welcome return to form for Ghibli after the disappointing Howl's Moving Castle and almost offensively bad Gedo Senki. While the film isn’t quite on the level of Miyazaki’s best works, it’s nonetheless an instant classic that will continue to be loved long after its theatrical release is over.

Throughout, there is a lot of name dropping with "Ghibli", especially in the first couple of sections. I would suggest maybe cutting it down a little. I love the colourful descriptive words in the animation section - reminds me why I loved Spirited Away so much. The movies do come across as being childish, but its one of the reasons they are so endearing. Thanks for a great review ;p

H.

[ThePatches]

Originally Posted by vivafruit

One piece that plays during a particularly dramatic flood scene evokes Wagner’s classic “Ride of the Valkyries” to awe-inspiring effect.

I caught this in the "movie clip" posted on Apple.com. I'm glad it wasn't my imagination.

[vivafruit]

Thanks for the feedback; it's good stuff that I don't think I would have noticed on my own. I'll go ahead and post it now since its theatrical release is today, even though I still think the character section could use a little detail. Maybe I'll go back and edit it later.

[ThePatches]

Originally Posted by vivafruit

Thanks for the feedback; it's good stuff that I don't think I would have noticed on my own. I'll go ahead and post it now since its theatrical release is today, even though I still think the character section could use a little detail. Maybe I'll go back and edit it later.

The MSM reviews seem to like the characters, but I think your assessment probably rings truer. There's a sense of patronizing enthusiasm I get from the pop-media reviewers that you're probably not going to find here at A-P.

That said other reviews have made a pretty big deal of Lisa's character in relation to the Wizard (have not seen it, don't know his name) and their roles as parents.

[vivafruit]

To be honest I feel a bit limited by having not seen the dub, which really truly might be better. My guess is that Liam Neeson does a lot more with the Wizard character than the Japanese seiyuu did. In the Japanese dub, the wizard was just some dude with a grumpy voice who happened to be a father. It was almost tangential. The same thing goes for Cate Blanchett and the mother character - I just can't imagine such an amazing actress doing a worse job than the hohum performance done by the Japanese seiyuu.

Oh well, maybe I'll get a chance to watch the dub in theaters later. I doubt it though. >_>

EDIT: added a bit more character analysis. Seems reasonably good now.

[Cicada]

I saw it this morning, got lucky with a close to empty theater, went out of my way to see it subbed.
I thought it was great, It's been ages since I've seen Miyazaki (or anime at all) on the big screen. It was good too going in only having seen a few minutes of footage beforehand.
Simple, lovable, adorable kids film with some truly stunning visuals.

The scenes in particular that absolutely blew me away were when Ponyo's siblings shoot upwards transforming into giant fish, as well as the following scenes with Ponyo dashing across them. Actually that whole initial storm was wonderful and intense. The other was where we first see Ponyo's mother, as a gorgeous giant speaking to Fujimoto.

That said, what held the movie back for me was the way the ending was really just a fizzling out (though the very final scene was great). Also, well, Ponyo in human form in the second half the movie was actually pretty annoying. Lisa gets big points for cuteness though.

Anyway, way better than Howls, worse than Totoro. 7.5/10