Review of Ponyo (2008) by Jonb — 21 Mar 2010

I still don't know who this movie was aimed at. I am a fan of Miyazaki, I would of said a huge fan before this. The story is weak, which is the last thing I expected. It's not hard to understand, it's just not special.

All of Miyazaki's other films are special. This one left me feeling like it was intended for someone younger than me. I took my nephew to see this (he is five) and he wanted too leave because it was boring.

My personal feeling is that this film was dumbed too far down. I understand wanting to appeal to young children, (G-rating officially means you are trying to appeal to young children BTW) but if that's your goal, make it so children will love it for something aside from the beautiful artwork, which is the films saving grace if that exists.

I'll will give someone a dollar if thier child can perfectly translate this plot to me, and show that they understood it 100%. If they can, then you are a monster because you forced it down thier throats just because you like Miyazaki.

All joking aside, this movie is weaker because it doesn't appeal as well to the same group who loved all of Miyazaki's other films (aside from 1% of whom are mouth breathing conformists, who would lick Miyazaki's boots, and say it tastes like a pbj sandwich, who if they have children, are currently trying to contact me for a dollar) and it also doesn't appeal to anyone new very well either.

I like Miyazaki, and I would love to see his future films have big american releases, but Ponyo did not cut it for me, and I think the folks that gave this thing a 10, or a 100, are really good at lying to themselves, which is the worst kind of lie.