The Fantastic Mr. Miyazaki

When I first saw the title Ponyo in theater ads, I thought it was a completely different film. I imagined it as some sort of overly serious allegorical film, a sequel to Equus perhaps. In reality, it is the latest masterpiece from Hayao Miyazaki, one of the most consistently awesome movie makers in the world. In short, it's a fantastical retelling of the Little Mermaid story but, as with everything he touches, it is miles away from the simple, safe and sorry state of Disney films. Miyazaki's films are bizarre and wondrous full of strange creatures and weird storylines. They are children's movies but they have a real sense of danger and evil and all the ugly things usually scrubbed from kids entertainment.

If you've seen the previews for Disney's upcoming Frog Princess garbage and feel like you're going to vomit, Ponyo would be the salve to soothe your troubled soul. There is no pandering to the audience and there is nothing annoyingly "in-your-face" about them. Ponyo is funny and sweet and scary and sad and an overall enjoyable film. I didn't love it as much as some of his other movies but it still gets a 7.

I think it was my favorite of his since I saw Spirited Away. One thing about all his movies is that they all grab your attention in the first few minutes and don't have a boring moment in them. Spirited Away had one of the most original and engaging openings of any film I've ever seen and Ponyo nearly matches it with scenes of an underwater world on a par with Terry Gilliam's fantasy creations. The viewer is simply thrown in the middle of the story's universe and it's up to you to figure what is going on.

That's true. I felt the same way with Howl's Moving Castle, which I consider his masterpiece and give a 10. As the movie opens, a mystery man floats down from the sky and is being followed by strange, blob like creatures in top hats an suit coats. Soon we are introduced to the moving castle which walks around on mechanical legs and has a magical door which opens up to various lands. We also meet Howl, a shape shifting young man who has a talking fireplace and a tendency to liquify.

There's always something oozing or sliming or liquifying in Miyazaki's film. There's probably some greater significance to it all but even without that knowledge, it's just plain fun to watch. Howl's Moving Castle filled me with a deep sense of dread and unease. These movies are often found in the kids section of video stores but they explore some pretty heavy themes. Even something as seemingly innocent as My Neighbor Totoro mines the fears and sadness experienced by children when they move to a new place and have a parent in the hospital.

Dead or sick parents are a staple of Disney films but rarely is there any genuine emotion in the handling of the issue but in Totoro, I nearly wept towards the end when one of the little girls goes searching for the faraway hospital in hopes of finding her sick mother. This film is not quite as affecting or amazing as Howl but it is still full of joy and wonder, two hallmarks of Miyazaki's incredible movies. I give it a 7.

It does feel a bit slight, which may have to do with the giant, cuddly kitty cats, but it is still a wonderful film. These movies all transport you to a different place full of fascination and beautiful oddities. They are modern day fairy tales filtered through an insanely creative mind. John Lasseter of Pixar has stated in the past that all Miyazaki films are worth seeing and I would have to agree. I have yet to find one that didn't leave me stunned by the animation, amazed by the story and overjoyed by the journey.