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Ponyo Is Another Miyazaki Masterpiece That Isn't Just For Kids
Miyazaki Explains Why His Films Are More Than Good Vs. Evil
Brace Yourselves
Meet Ponyo, Hayao Miyazaki's Latest Girl-Friendly Film

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Lin-Z [linguist on duty]
08/14/09

In reply to Ponyo Is Another Miyazaki Masterpiece That Isn't Just For Kids
I think kids can handle more than we give them credit for. A lot of people made the same comments about how scary Coraline was for children, but I think kids would enjoy these movies.
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mariamariamaria
08/14/09

In reply to Ponyo Is Another Miyazaki Masterpiece That Isn't Just For Kids
I can't wait to see this and I can't wait to take my nephew to see this as well. One thing, though... everyone dumps on CGI, and while Miyazaki's hand animated films ARE breathtaking, I think Pixar's computer animated films are breathtaking as well. Dreamworks, Disney and all the other losers? Not so much.
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Edited by mariamariamaria at 08/14/09 8:02 PM mariamariamaria was starred mariamariamaria was unstarred

sybann
08/14/09

In reply to Ponyo Is Another Miyazaki Masterpiece That Isn't Just For Kids
I'm loving that animation is seeing such respect - globally.
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UrsaCanace
08/14/09

In reply to Ponyo Is Another Miyazaki Masterpiece That Isn't Just For Kids
i HATE the dubbed over versions of all of miyazaki's films. billy bob thornton in princess mononoke and now disney's latest child stars? if you're over 8 years old, you will get immensely more enjoyment out of the original versions with subtitles.
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mariamariamaria
08/14/09

@UrsaCanace: Oh I don't know... I thought Howl's Moving Castle was well cast. I even thought Billy Crystal was good, and believe me that's saying something.
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sydbarrettsaves, emissary of hell
08/14/09

In reply to Ponyo Is Another Miyazaki Masterpiece That Isn't Just For Kids
My boyfriend and I are both really excited to finally see a Miyazaki film in theatres.
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lilbobbytables
08/14/09

In reply to Ponyo Is Another Miyazaki Masterpiece That Isn't Just For Kids
ohmygadohmygodohmahgod! My day has come! Hurrah for Miyazaki!
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PoisonPixie
08/14/09

In reply to Ponyo Is Another Miyazaki Masterpiece That Isn't Just For Kids
I just can get past the style of animation to enjoy the movie. I pretty much feel this way of all jap-animation. I like for boys to look like boys, and girls to look like girls, and not be so highly stylized. Visually it's off-putting to me in the extreme. I wish I didn't feel this way, because I'm sure it's a good movie, plot-wise.
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sydbarrettsaves, emissary of hell
08/14/09

@PoisonPixie: Wow.
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tiredfairy
08/14/09

@PoisonPixie: Have you seen any of his other works? I mean, it's animation. Like cartooning, it's all stylized by creator. Miyazaki's style is not like the kine of Anime you see featured here in the U.S. so frequently, it's far more "classic" and realistic for human characters.

I'm not really sure what "boys to look like boys and girls to look like girls" means, though. Do you mean the sometimes androgynous looks of some manga/anime? That's fine, but that's not Miyazaki. He does a lot of child characters, who are naturally androgynous fyi, but that's about it. And it sounds like an odd...I hesitate to say hang up, but, it sounds like a gender issue. What does a boy look like? A girl? Do they need to wear gender identifying colors? Dresses or pants to indentify them? Short hair or long hair? All those things are socialized gender ideas, not inherent ones. And it's good to play with them and challenge them.
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PoisonPixie
08/16/09

@tiredfairy: Didn't mean to offend anyone...like I said, the plot is good I'm sure, but i just can't bring myself to watch them because (it may seem shallow), I just don't like the way the main characters look. It's just s kooky preference of mine. I have nothing against Japan or Japanese people...or their right to animate. It's just not for me. I shouldn't have shared.
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Dorilys
08/14/09

In reply to Ponyo Is Another Miyazaki Masterpiece That Isn't Just For Kids
My Neighbor Totoro is my all-time favorite Hayao Miyazaki movie.

Ponyo, here I come!!
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JennaW
08/14/09

@Dorilys: I just rewatched that. It's completely delightful. I think my favorite, though, is Kiki's Delivery Service.
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TheExperience
08/14/09

In reply to Ponyo Is Another Miyazaki Masterpiece That Isn't Just For Kids
To say Spirited Away was one of the most unbelievable animated movies I've ever seen would be a gross understatement. I've seen a few commercials for Ponyo, and if it's anything like Spirited Away, I am so there.
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Yahtzii
08/14/09

@TheExperience: It is one of the most unbelievable movies I have ever seen.
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ChickyOnly
08/14/09

@TheExperience: Ponyo has a somewhat different style in terms of both animation style and tone. Ponyo is great, but I still think that Spirited Away is the most beautifully crafted animated film I've ever seen.

I hope there's another Ponyo post after the movie has been out for a little bit - these posts don't seem to get the most hits, but I love reading the comments.
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lilbobbytables
08/14/09

@ChickyOnly: I love your avatar!
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ChickyOnly
08/14/09

@lilbobbytables is a la-di-da feminist: Haha, thanks, I wasn't even thinking about that when I wrote the comment! I had forgotten about old No Face.
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Mmmmkay (gellin' and Jezebelin)
08/14/09

In reply to Ponyo Is Another Miyazaki Masterpiece That Isn't Just For Kids
After I nom nom my square of frozen weed chocolate, I am SO there.
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Yahtzii
08/14/09

In reply to Ponyo Is Another Miyazaki Masterpiece That Isn't Just For Kids

Nothing will top Howl's Moving Castle.
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littlemissvan
08/14/09

@Yahtzii: You know I just watched this on Tuesday, after holding off (it is one of my all time favourite books, and I didn't want to see it ruined), and quite honestly, I thought the animation was a bit of a disappointment. I'd seen the stills (like the one above) and they were so awesome looking, but when everything started moving, it just kind of fell apart for me. Also, they got Howl all wrong.
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Yahtzii
08/14/09

@littlemissvan: I read the book after the movie, so perhaps it was a little easier for me to take it that way, as the movie seems to be a pretty loose adaptation of the book. It was also about 20 minutes too long, in my opinion. But it was the first and only time (that I know of) that Miyazaki ever did a love story, and it killed me. Yes, I am predictable. But I also think it was easier to identify with a older female character.

On the animation front, I thought the castle in motion was fascinating, and I loved all the tricks he did with fire and Calcifer.
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RudyWaltz
08/14/09

@Yahtzii: From what I've heard, Howl's is not really a favorite among hardcore Miyazaki fans, which sort of surprised me. I thought it was one of the funniest of his movies while still being political. And a lot of people bitch about American dubs - but Miyazaki's are always excellent. Christian Bale rules so hard in this.
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Yahtzii
08/14/09

@RudyWaltz: I've always thought that his American dubs are amazing - really well cast and acted. I'm a little dubious about Noah Cyrus, however. I hope she's a better actress than her sister.
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TransFat
08/14/09

In reply to Ponyo Is Another Miyazaki Masterpiece That Isn't Just For Kids
OK Disney. Bring it in. I know you've got Studio Ghibli distribution rights and are gearing up for your first Green Princess movie/debacle. But, take note of what Miyazaki and Pixar have been trying to tell you for at least a decade. It's a small enough mantra for even a post-it so get ready:

"Kids are smart."

...that is all.
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alouette
08/14/09

@TransFat: Psh, I'd like to see a kid do my taxes or cook a meal or change my oil. When I see THAT, then I will bring them to a decent movie. Until then ....

[www.buyolympia.com]
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Kilotwat
08/14/09

In reply to Ponyo Is Another Miyazaki Masterpiece That Isn't Just For Kids
Best animated film of the summer? Are we forgetting Up? Rotten Tomatoes has Up with a higher percentage than Ponyo, with Up having a better critical consensus ("one of Pixar's best") than Ponyo ("not Miyazaki's best work but still good"). And yes, it is a competition! There can be only one best animated film of the summer of 2009 and the rest must be crushed into little pieces!
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Madlenka
08/14/09

@Kilotwat: I really enjoyed Up, though I have to say that someone mentioned it the other day and I had very little recollection of the movie. I brought this up to my boyfriend (who teared up at Up!!), and he had the same experience of not being able to really recall what happened in it or any specific scene from it. Kind of odd. I really did like it, but it hasn't been that memorable for me.
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Yahtzii
08/14/09

@Kilotwat: I watched Up in the theater with my sister the day my grandfather died. We dissolved into a weepy mess at the opening montage and were not able to compose ourselves for the rest of the movie. I also laughed so hard I cried again at least twice. It's my favorite Pixar movie, after the Brad Birds (Ratatouille and The Incredibles).
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eri401
08/14/09

@Kilotwat: Oh I loved Up so much! But, they are such different movies. Up is very sweet but controlled - it has a steady linear plot, a clear villain, a clean resolution. The CGI echoes this atmosphere with its ceramic-smooth images. Yet aside from that sad montage and certain visuals, I thought the plot was pretty predictable.

Ponyo sort of explodes in your face in an exuberant way. There is a basic plot with thousands of other charming characters, side notes, and random WTF things. There is no villain. When I saw Ponyo, I couldn't actually figure out what the hell was going on (maybe bad subtitles?) but it did leave me feeling like I stepped into someone's gorgeous dream.

They fulfill different needs and tastes I think.
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JennaW
08/14/09

In reply to Ponyo Is Another Miyazaki Masterpiece That Isn't Just For Kids
Miyazaki film = guaranteed "unconventional female lead"
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CurtCole
08/14/09

In reply to Ponyo Is Another Miyazaki Masterpiece That Isn't Just For Kids
Anything with flying babies should be rated R.
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