StoryAfter several movies from Hayao Miyazaki that have been both narratively and visually complex, Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea feels like a return to "classic" form. The film is simpler both in its plot and animation style, having more in common with My Neighbor Totoro than any of the great director’s recent efforts. The difference is so pronounced, in fact, that Ponyo often feels like watching a time-capsuled Ghibli from the late 80s.
The film's story is one of Miyazaki’s simplest yet, and anyone with even a
decent grasp of Japanese will be probably be able to watch it 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 visuals than developing an
intricate storyline, and Ponyo also bears that flaw to a certain
extent. Moreover, Ponyo is childish and straightforward, and
will hardly convince would-be detractors prepared to dismiss Ghibli as
“for kids.” Nonetheless, those who don’t automatically assign
simplicity as a fault should heavily enjoy Ponyo’s adorably creative narrative, regardless of their age.AnimationVisually, Ponyo is a large step down in complexity 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. There is a sense of life and wonder that, by comparison, feels
all but missing in most productions today. 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.SoundDisney outdoes itself in its English localization of Ponyo. From the pedigree of the voice actors involved,
one would expect greatness, and the endless A-list of stars doesn't disappoint. In particular, Liam Neeson and Tina Fey are fantastic, infusing warmth, humor and energy into roles that are comparatively flat in the Japanese version. As a whole, this is one of the rare English dubs that exceeds its Japanese counterpart in quality.
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.CharactersLike many other Miyazaki films, there is a notable lack of villains in
the entire production. Characters that are initially menacing 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. This distinct lack of direct
conflict is refreshing, and is one of the many reasons for why the
director's work stands out from the rest.
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.
Ultimately, this isn't the best cast that Miyazaki has crafted, as it lacks the depth and uniqueness of some of his other works. With the exception of Ponyo herself, the characters all feel somewhat incidental, and some work probably could have been done to fill them out more. Still, the characters are more than serviceable in moving along the plot, and never feel like they're detracting from the quality of the film.OverallAs 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 Ponyo 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.