Gake no ue no Ponyo (Ponyo on a Cliff) (2008)

[remember_Cedric]

Miyazaki proves once again that you don't need fancy-schmancy computers and 3D graphics to make a wonderful animated movie. What you do need are a good script, talented voice actors, a keen eye for observation and detail, and an overwhelming passion for storytelling. Ponyo charms with its simplicity and hidden depths. Though, I have yet to figure out the core moral behind this story.

Thanks to its extravagant hand-drawn visual (which is one plus point, I feel. The colour pencil setting is mesmerisingly colourful), Ponyo is a movie worth watching as a family and kids movie, IMO.

Expectation was high for Hayao Miyazaki's latest work. Unfortunately, this plot seems too draggy. I actually doze off inbetween a few scene.

Anyone else seen it?

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[funnlim]

Yes I've seen it. The story didn't make sense in some parts but the animation is exceptional, he is best when it is water and scenery and some quiet moments. Great animation but frankly I thought the colours is a bit muted. Somehow it didn't look as grand as Spirited Away or as colourful as Howl's Moving Castle. It reminded me of his earlier work, the colours I mean, like in My Neighbour Totoro. But still as charming.

[Guo Xiang]

Other than the nice animation, sweet characters and occasional humorous bits, this movie is pretty much a failure in terms of story plot. I'd give the movie only 2/5.

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So much hype on world destruction but the harm done seemed pretty insignificant.

So many questions and subplots but none are explored. For example, what was the background of Ponyo's dad (can't even remember his name now)? How did he become part of the sea? Why was his hatred for the human race so strong? Who's Gran Mamare really? Why was he scared of her (because of her size? but even then it seemed illogical since it appeared she could size down)? What did Gran Mamare and Lisa talk about? How were the people at the centre 'convinced' to go into the water? How was their underwater survival ensured?

Having watched a couple of Miyazaki's animations before, I find it hard to believe this slipshod animation is also his production. Too much difference in terms of quality.

[tramp394]

Its wonderful animated movie & I like it.
Its not a bad movie Its Ok.... I'd give it 4/5...

[atlantean0208]

Its wonderful animated movie & I like it.
Its not a bad movie Its Ok.... I'd give it 4/5...

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[yanfeng]

I'm a big Miyazaki fan and I think Ponyo has his trademark style: lovingly rendered graphics, lovely music (I adored the reference to Totoro they made, by having the boy's mom, in the beginning, hum a few bars of the theme song to Totoro! ), adorable characters, and an incoherent story line!

I think when you watch Miyazaki you have to turn your intellectual self off, and watch it for the mood, for the visuals and music, for the fantastically creative things that happen... it is all like a truly child-like view of the world: A mix of real and fantasy, highly detail focused, full of wonder and joy, but sometimes lacking in logical structure.

If you accept that, Ponyo is another win for Miyazaki... Ponyo is absolutely adorable, and even her father is a silly, funny character, not to mention the boy and his gutsy mom who drives like an insane race car driver! Beautiful images drift around in this movie like other Miyazaki favorites, random things happen, story lines get picked up and then dropped again... but it all makes for a nice ride over all.

I still prefer Howl's (my fav) more- and I probably even favor Totoro and Spirited above Ponyo... but this is up there with the likes of Castle in the Sky and Pocco Rosso.

Thanks for starting a thread on another fine Miyazaki animation!

Summary: Not Miyazaki's best, but still more thoughtful, beautiful and sincerely cute than 90% of the other animation out there.

[BearBearNweather]

I know it doesn't make sense but I actually think the main character Ponyo looks kind of scary.

I have watched some of Miyazaki's works and have loved all I have seen (cried like a baby during Graveyard of fireflies) but going to give this one a miss.

[remember_Cedric]

Thanks for starting a thread on another fine Miyazaki animation!

Summary: Not Miyazaki's best, but still more thoughtful, beautiful and sincerely cute than 90% of the other animation out there.

I am quite a fan of Miyazaki too. He's new works excites me. The background setting and the colours used really drawn me.

Spirited Away left a deep impression on my mind because i find lots of reflections from it. despite old, i like the storyline of Princess momonoke very much though.

I know it doesn't make sense but I actually think the main character Ponyo looks kind of scary.

Ponyo looks scary, in a way, when she turns into the half human, half "fish" specie (the one with chicken hands and feets). Her enthusiasism, in both behaviour and love for Sousuke, is scary, IMO lol.

The moral of this story seems to remind people that true Love should be unconditional. Accept the one you love, as they are (be it kinship or love for two). Given a not-so-cute Ponyo seems to be a test for audiences to accept "ugliness", in a way.

I actually like Lisa very much Cool personality!

On a side note, this is Miyazaki's version of The Little Mermaid, no?

[cheek]

I had the song stuck in my head for days I sometimes sing it when i work. Totally unglamourous

Ponyo ponyo ponyo sakana no ko
Aoi umi kara yatte kita~

[remember_Cedric]

I had the song stuck in my head for days I sometimes sing it when i work. Totally unglamourous

Ponyo ponyo ponyo sakana no ko
Aoi umi kara yatte kita~

If I were your co-worker, I'd definitely sing along!