Ponyo

Ponyo (Gake no Ue no Ponyo), initially titled in English as Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea, is a 2008 Japanese animated family fantasy film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki of Studio Ghibli and Toho. One morning near his seaside home, five year old Sosuke discovers a goldfish he names Ponyo. Her head stuck in a jam jar, he rescues her, and fascinated with each other, they promise to stay firm friends. When Ponyo's father, a powerful underwater sorcerer, forces her to return to the ocean depths, Ponyo is determined to join Sosuke on the surface and become human. What follows is an amazing underwater adventure for all ages. Includes both English dub and original Japanese (subtitled) versions. From the Studio Ghibli Collection Special Features: A Conversation With Hayao And Frank Alternate Angle Storyboards Behind The Microphone Creating Ponyo Dubbing Session Interview With: Hayao And Toshio Japanese Trailers and TV Spots Location In Ponyo Meet Ponyo Producers Perspective Scoring Miyazaki The Nursery Theme Song Music Video Awards Won Japanese Academy Awards for: Best Animation Film, Best Film Score (2009) Won Ofuji Noburo Award, Mainichi Film Concours (2009) Won Tokyo Anime Awards for: Animation of the Year, Best Director (2009) Nominated for Asian Film Awards for Best Film, Best Director (2009) Nominated for Annie Awards for Best Directing, Best Music Ponyo Movie Reviews “There is a word to describe “Ponyo,” and that word is magical. This poetic, visually breathtaking work by the greatest of all animators has such deep charm that adults and children will both be touched. It’s wonderful and never even seems to try: It unfolds fantastically…Mi­yazaki is the Japanese creator of “My Neighbor Totoro,” “Spirited Away,” “Howl’s Moving Castle” and many other beloved films. Already I have heard from a few people who don’t want to see it “because it’s Japanese.” This is solid-gold ignorance. “Is it only dubbed?” I was asked. You dummy! All animated films are dubbed! Little Nemo can’t really speak!..There are so few movies that can delight both a small child and the adult in the next seat. Here is one of them.” Roger Ebert “This is a marvel to behold, a valuable opportunity to watch a master craftsman doing what his does best. It is like listening to a great children's sto­ryteller: the story may be intended for the young ones, but it is a delight to witness the love and care that the storyteller puts into their tale.” DVD Verdict “Outside of Disney/Pixar magic, you may wonder why critics consider animation an art. Wonder no more. Just see Ponyo, from Japanese animé genius Hayao Miyazaki. Ponyo falls a sliver short of the maestro's landmarks (Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away), but the delicate colors and hand-drawn, proudly 2-D images are breathtaking…Mi­yazaki works marvels. Sit back and behold.” Rolling Stone “…utterly enchanting watch that has an environmental message if you want to see it, but it doesn't ram it your throat, a smart message about the importance of family and added responsibility of growing up. Some films lose something on repeated viewings whereas the very best improve the more times you watch them and this is the case with Ponyo. Although I thought it was excellent at the cinema, I thought it was even better the second (and third) time around. It is a visually dazzling film that just shows that there is life in cell animation and films don't have to be digitally animated or converted to 3-D to be an utterly engrossing experience.” Film365.co.uk