Film Review: PONYO (2008)

Writer/Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Running time: 101 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): U

Genre: Animation/Adventure/Family
UK Release date: 12^th February 2010

Watched on Terrestrial PVR Friday 27^th September 2013.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE UNINTENTIONAL SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

Time being of the essence, I’m going to keep this short today. I heard many good things about Ponyo when it came out and have tried to see it a couple of times before, but always seemed to miss the boat (pardon the pun). Finally managed to pin it down about a month ago though and have been waiting for it to bubble to the top of the pile on my Freeview PVR ever since. Well the day finally arrived and it was definitely worth the wait. I’m a fan of the work of Studio Ghibli and of Miyazaki in particular and so that’s no huge surprise. No summary this time, I’m going straight into my thoughts.

Beautifully animated with all the style and grace of Miyazaki’s work. It is distinctively his own and I hope nobody ever tries to copy it. I saw it in the ‘Americanised’ Disney version with some well known names in the cast. For me though, I feel it always loses something; I would have rather seen it with its original Japanese soundtrack. For some reason, that gives it a little more authenticity and also makes it a little more mystical. But the English language version was ok too with the likes of Cate Blanchett as Granmamere, Liam Neeson as Fujimoto, Tina Fey as Lisa, Matt Damon as Kôichi, Frankie Jonas as Sôsuke and (of course) Noah Lindsey Cyrus as Ponyo. They all did a pretty good job. I very much liked to music by Joe Hisaishi as well, it has a great feel to it and fits the visuals really well. Over all, although I’m far from the target audience, I have to say I really enjoyed this engaging mystical tale. Maybe one for a very young audience, which proves I must be young at heart, but certainly a worthy watch.

SteelMonster’s verdict: RECOMMENDED

My score: 8.2/10.

IMDb Score: 7.7/10 (based on 50,831 votes when this review was written).
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0876563/

MetaScore: 86/100: (Based on 29 critic reviews provided by Metacritic.com at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 92/100: (based on 158 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 80/100: (based on 93,134 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/ponyo/

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LINKS:
(Note: All were working at the time of going to press)
Official Site (Disney): http://movies.disney.com/ponyo
Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PONYO
Trailer:

Film Review: HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE (2004)

Writer (Screenplay)/Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Writer (Novel): Diana Wynne Jones
Running time: 119 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): U

Genre: Animation/Action/Adventure
UK Release date: 23^rd September 2005

Watched on Sky+ Sunday 26^th February 2012.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

I have made a point of watching all of the Studio Ghibli films I’ve seen up to now in the native Japanese. With this one though I’ve had to make an exception as the TV company showing it supplied the English language dubbed version. Not that it’s a particularly bad thing; it just means I’ll have to re-watch it at some point in Japanese with subtitles. So what did I think? Well I’ll tell you after this brief summary.

When eighteen year old Sophie is cursed by The Witch of the Waste she finds herself grown very old. Unable to stay with her family, she sets off to find her fortune. She befriends a scarecrow who takes her to the Wizard Howl’s moving castle. Here she meets a fire demon, Calcifer, who agrees to lift her curse if she can release him from the control of Howl. Also in the castle is Markl, a young boy who is kind of an apprentice to the wizard. On his return Howl accepts Old Sophie as a cleaning woman, but it appears he knows more than he’s letting on. We follow these characters through a series of adventures that eventually lead to the truth about Howl, and not to forget Calcifer. I will not say any more or the Spoiler Police (Ghibli Division) will be subtitling me (again).

Beautifully animated with a great score by Joe Hisaishi made for an epic feel to this picture. Likable characters also added to the enjoyment factor. Performance-wise, I thought everyone did a great job, and so honourable mentions must go to; Jean Simmons as Grandma (or Old) Sophie, Christian Bale as Howl, Lauren Bacall as Witch of the Waste, Blythe Danner as Madame Suliman, Emily Mortimer as Young Sophie, Josh Hutcherson as Markl and Billy Crystal as Calcifer.

One thing I cannot get over is the beautiful clarity of the animation. Studio Ghibli has a very particular style and I must admit to being a great fan of the way their films look; at times they can be quite breathtaking. I also love the imagination of the people that designed things like the Castle, it’s quite fantastic. Putting aside the visuals for a moment, I have to say that, sadly, I did find this one a little too long at nearly two hours. Although I did find the story quite enthralling at times, there wasn’t quite enough (for me) to enthral me for quite that long. Having said that it’s still an excellent piece of work and one I have no problem in deeming… Recommended.

My score: 7.1/10.

IMDb Score: 8.1/10 (based on 73,040 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0347149/

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 86/100 (based on 147 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 93/100 (based on 220,543 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/howls_moving_castle/

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FAVOURITE QUOTES:
[Two soldiers are bothering Sophie]
Howl: There you are sweetheart, sorry I'm late. I was looking everywhere for you.
Soldier: Hey, hey! We're busy here!
Howl: Are you really? To me, it looked like the two of you were just leaving.
[gestures with his hand, the soldiers are forced to march away]

Old Sophie: Why do you get so cold when you're old? I'm fatter than ever and yet the wind blows right through me!

Old Sophie: What a dump. When I think of castles, it's not what I picture.

Old Sophie: All right Calcifer, lets get cooking.
Calcifer: I don't cook! I'm a scary and powerful fire demon!

LINKS:
(Note: All were working at the time of going to press)
Official Site: http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/castle/
Trailer:

Film Review: NAUSICAÄ OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND (1984)

Original Title: Kaze no tani no Naushika

Writer/Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Running time: 117 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): PG

Genre: Animation/Fantasy/Adventure
Japan Release date: 11^th March 1984

Watched on Sky+ Friday 30^th December 2011.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

The last in my current series of Studio Ghibli films; you can have a little too much Ghibli if you’re not careful! Fear not, I shall be returning to films from this studio sometime in the New Year so stay posted. This is an interesting one; I found the concept most intriguing but the execution (I’m sad to say) left a little to be desired (IMO). Technically and imaginatively, it’s up there with the best of them, I just found it didn’t quite have the punch I was expecting. More of my thoughts after this very brief summary.

A thousand years after the world was laid waste small kingdoms exist on the margins of a polluted planet. One of these is The Valley of the Wind where a princess, Nausicaä, flies over the toxic forests in her glider. Giant insects inhabit the forest and she is respectful of them. She finds she is called upon when her valley is invaded by those who would unleash the monsters that had initially destroyed the world. Can she calm the beasts in the Toxic Forest before they destroy what is left of humanity? As you can probably guess, the Spoiler Police would not be pleased if I told you here… In fact, I fear they would send me back to the Toxic Forest (again).

Beautifully animated throughout and with great imagination, I can’t fault the way this film looks or the imagination of Hayao Miyazaki. To come up with a world like this must have taken a great deal of time and effort. I saw the Japanese version (with subtitles) although I have heard of a dubbed (and severely ‘kiddiefied’) version – beware this one.

I guess the problem I had with this film was that, although it’s brilliantly conceived and made, it failed to have any emotional impact on me and it lacked the punch I have come to expect from Miyazaki’s work. I guess the characters didn’t have enough depth for me to really care about them enough. Add to that the fact that I found it way too long and I guess it’s failing on two counts! Having said that, I think it’s still worth a viewing… You never know, you may love it a tad more than I did!... Recommended (just).

My score: 7.2/10.

IMDb Score: 8.1/10 (based on 29,997 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0087544/

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 80/100 (based on 10 reviews counted at the time of going to press).
Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 63/100 (based on 65,379 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/nausicaa_of_the_valley_of_the_wind/

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FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Nausicaä: It's so beautiful. It's hard to believe these spores could kill me.

Kushana: Nice valley. Think I'll keep it.

Yupa: In the midst of my travels, I heard of an ominous rumour... It said that a monster from the ancient world had been excavated from beneath the city of Pejite where it had been sleeping.
Mito: A monster from the ancient world?
Yupa: It's a God Warrior.
Mito: A God Warrior? You mean, the ones that burned the world in the Seven Days of Fire...? This thing...!
Yupa: All God Warriors should have become fossils. But this one managed to sleep underground for 1000 years.
Mito: Now that you mention it, it does seem to have a human form.

LINKS:
GhibliWiki: http://www.nausicaa.net/wiki/Main_Page
Trailer:

Film Review: MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO (1988)

Original Title: Tonari no Totoro

Writer/Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Running time: 86 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): U

Genre: Animation/Adventure/Family
Japan Release date: 16^th April 1988

Watched at the cinema Monday 26^th December 2011.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

Another one in my mini Studio Ghibli series. I remember the first time I saw this how blown away I was by the way everything looked so natural. The way people move, the animals and the plants all drawn with such care and attention to detail. Add to that a magical story and you’ve got what Disney is constantly on the lookout for. Unfortunately (for them) it’s a story that I don’t think would translate well for the markets they’re catering for. But I digress, here is a very brief summary before I give you my thoughts on the matter.

Satsuki and Mei have moved house with their father so they can be near their mother who is in hospital. Their new house is in the countryside next to a forest. The girls have great fun exploring and when Satsuki has to go to school Mai goes off on her own. She discovers some magical forest creatures, Totoro’s, one of which is of massive proportions! Soon Satsuki sees him too and they have many adventures together. But when Mei gets lost and Satsuki has exhausted every other avenue of help, it’s to Totoro that she turns… Can he help her find her little sister? Well, I guess I had better not tell you that or the Spoiler Police (Ghibli Division) will be revoking my viewing rights (again).

Beautifully animated with great attention to detail, I really love the way this film looks. I watched it in Japanese with subtitles and I didn’t mind one bit, it’s a really easy plot to follow and so not too taxing on the little grey cells. I will give honourable mentions to the voice talents of; Noriko Hidaka as Satsuki, Chika Sakamoto as Mei, Shigesato Itoi as Tatsuo Kusakabe (the father) and Sumi Shimamoto as Yasuko Kusakabe (the mother).

A simple story is the backbone of this film; the magical world of Totoro really makes it a terrific watch. On the downside, I did find the girls voices tended to get a little grating towards the end… most of their dialogue seems to be SHOUTED! Apart from that, I found it beautiful to look at with a quite magical tale, not a lot to dislike here… Recommended.

My score: 8.6/10.

IMDb Score: 8.2/10 (based on 47,047 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0096283/

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 90/100 (based on 29 reviews counted at the time of going to press).
Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 67/100 (based on 76,524 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/my_neighbor_totoro/

If you’re crazy enough… You can find me on Facebook at:
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FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Satsuki, Mei Kusakabe: Come out, come out, whereever you are!

Mei Kusakabe: To-to-ro? You're Totoro!... I bet you're Totoro...

Tatsuo Kusakabe: Trees and people used to be good friends. I saw that tree and decided to buy the house. Hope Mom likes it too. Okay, let's pay our respects then get home for lunch.

LINKS:
Trailer:

Film Review: PORCO ROSSO (1992)

Original Title: Kurenai no buta

Writer/Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Running time: 94 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): PG

Genre: Animation/Adventure/Drama
Japan Release date: 18^th July 1992

Watched at the cinema Saturday 24^th December 2011.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

I believe this was the first Studio Ghibli film I ever saw. I remember being blown away by the excellent story telling, the animation and the general feeling of the whole thing. From then on I was hooked and made it a bit of a mission to see as many of them as I could. Well, that’s not hard when Film4 (here in the UK) has been showing a season of them for the last couple of weeks. I’ll give you my thoughts on this particular offering after this brief summary.

Porco Rosso is a pilot; a bit of a hero from World War I who now makes a living as a bounty hunter. He tracks down the sea plane pirates who attack the ships on the Adriatic Coast (a part of the Mediterranean). It is the 1920’s and flying is what everyone wants to do. At a bar run by Gina, who secretly loves him, Porco meets an American fighter ace, Curtis, who has been hired by the pirates to take him out. But Porco has problems with his plane and has to take it to Milan to be repaired. Curtis follows him and shoots him down, leaving him stranded. When he’s picked up he makes it to Milan with what’s left of his plane and has it rebuilt by Fio Pikkoro, a seventeen year old girl who just happens to be a very talented engineer. When he returns, Fio comes with him to make sure he pays his bill. Little does she know they’re about to have another run-in with the pirates and this time they’re playing for keeps! I won’t say any more or the Spoiler Police (Animation Division) will have me re-drawn as some crazy animal (again).

Over the years I have become a bit of a fan of the work of Hayao Miyazaki, he certainly knows how to make a movie that can take you away to another world for a couple of hours. Again, this one is beautifully animated and I also loved the music by Joe Hisaishi, it really evokes the era and stirs the emotions. I watched this one in Japanese with subtitles and I think that helps you to concentrate on the story. For those who fear the subtitle I believe a dubbed version is available. It’s not really clear just who played who from the listings I’ve seen, but I will give honourable mentions to the voice talents of; Shûichirô Moriyama, Tokiko Katô, Tsunehiko Kamijô and Akemi Okamura.

I found this film beautifully made, funny at times, but also very touching when it needed to be. It certainly did what many of the Studio Ghibli films have done and that is entertain me! I must admit I feel lucky that I saw this one first; others that don’t quite hit the mark may have put me off. So it’s got a bit of everything, a flying pig, some comedy, a bit of a love story and pirates, who could ask for more!? As you have probably guessed by now, for me… Definitely recommended.

My score: 8.4/10.

IMDb Score: 7.8/10 (based on 16,525 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0104652/

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 100/100 (based on 13 reviews counted at the time of going to press).
Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 60/100 (based on 40,738 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/porco_rosso/

If you’re crazy enough… You can find me on Facebook at:
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FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Porco Rosso: A pig that doesn't fly is just a pig.

Porco Rosso: I'd rather be a pig than a fascist.

Arms Dealer: If you make money from war, you're scum. If you can't make money from bounty hunting, you're an idiot!

Curtis: [taunting Porco] If you run away, I'll tell everyone you're chicken!
Porco Rosso: Chicken, pig, what's the difference?

LINKS:
Trailer:

Film Review: CASTLE IN THE SKY (1986)

Original Title: Tenkû no shiro Rapyuta

Writer/Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Running time: 124 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): PG

Genre: Animation/Action/Adventure
Japan Release date: 2^nd August 1986

Watched at the cinema Friday 23^rd December 2011.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

Another in my mini-series of Studio Ghibli films and one I have loved for many years, since I first saw it in fact. I think it is because there is an element of science fiction in this one that doesn’t seem to feature a lot in many of the other films I’ve seen from this studio. If I have one criticism, it’s that it’s a little too long, but then again it’s always interesting and the story does move along at a reasonable pace, so it’s not all bad. I’ll give you more of my thoughts after this brief summary.

A girl, Sheeta, has been taken from her home and is being transported by the army and some mysterious men in dark glasses. When their airship is attacked by pirates she retrieves a mysterious stone from one of the men and jumps from the craft. As she approaches land a light comes from the stone and her fall is slowed. She is seen by a boy, Pazu, who catches her and takes her home with him. Pazu’s father had snapped a photo of a mysterious castle in the sky, Laputa, and the following day Sheeta tells him her story and how she has a link to this place. The pirates have tracked her, they are looking for her in the village and a chase ensues. Eventually she is captured, not by the pirates, but by the army! A giant robot, help from the pirates, all kinds of flying machines later and Pazu has her free, but can they find Laputa before the army can, and will it be what they expect when they get there? Well, I guess I can’t tell you that here or the Spoiler Police will be sending me aloft in an airship (& no parachute) again.

I watched this film in the original Japanese (with subtitles) although I believe there is a dubbed version available for those that fear the written word on the screen. It’s beautifully animated and stands up well 25 years later. The performances are all good and so honourable mentions must go to the voice talents of; Mayumi Tanaka as Pazu and Keiko Yokozawa as Sheeta. They both gave their characters a lot of life and urgency that was well reflected in the visuals.

I love the plot of this film; it starts quite big and just gets bigger! You think you have an idea where it’s going, but then it takes a turn and what they come up with is even better than anything I could have thought of! I must admit I would maybe have changed a couple of things, but over all it’s quite an excellent piece of work. It’s all excellently done, if a little long, and I think the filmmakers stuck to what they do best; telling a good story. You may be able to guess by now, but this one comes pretty highly RECOMMENDED from me.

My score: 8.6/10

IMDb Score: 8.1/10 (based on 30,528 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0092067/

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 94/100 (based on 17 reviews counted at the time of going to press).
Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 89/100 (based on 72,627 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/castle-in-the-sky/

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http://facebook.com/andy.steel3

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Pazu: A girl just fell from the sky, boss!

Sheeta: [after falling on Pazu from roof] Oh, I'm sorry. Are you all right? Does it hurt much?
Pazu: Hey, if my head was any harder, you could use it as a cannonball.

[Dola comes thundering into Pazu's town on her automobile where her boys are brawling with the citizens]
Dola: Full speed ahead!
[to Louis and Henri in the distance]
Dola: Hey, boys!
Louis: Wha - ? Hey, it's Mom!
Louis, Henri: [Dola drives up to Louis and Henri] Hi, Mom!
Dola: [incensed] You chowderheads! Get your brother and hop on!
Louis: [dumbfounded] Huh? But Sheeta's hiding inside that house!
Dola: Lamebrain! They made an escape! Now step on it!
Louis: [jumping onto Dola's car] They ESCAPED?
Henri: [jumps on after Louis] Hey, I wanna come!
Charles: [grabbing onto the back of Dola's car] Mommy!

Dola: There's nothing worse than having your pigtails shot off!

LINKS:
Trailer:

Film Review: THE CASTLE OF CAGLIOSTRO (1979)

(Original Title: Rupan sansei: Kariosutoro no shiro)

Co-Writer (Screenplay)/Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Writer (Characters): Maurice Leblanc
Running time: 110 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): PG

Genre: Animation/Adventure
Japan Release date: 15^th December 1979

Watched on Sky+ Sunday 18^th December 2011.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

This is another in a series of Studio Ghibli productions that I’ll be reviewing over the next week or so. From 1979, this one has a lot more humour and a more simple style than the first one I reviewed. This works quite well and I really enjoyed the straight forward story telling too. A thief, some ninja assassins, a beautiful damsel in distress, an evil count, oh, and a counterfeiting ring… what more could you ask? Well, I’ll tell you more after this brief summary.

Lupin is a thief, he makes quite a good living from it and enjoys the thrill of the chase. When he and his associate, Jigen, knock over the main casino in Monaco, they discover that all the money they’ve just stolen is fake. Lupin knows where it has come from and decides to go there to solve the mystery. Cagliostro is a small principality in Europe and when they arrive they get immediately involved in a chase with a beautiful bride. She is being pursued by an unsavoury bunch of thugs. Needless to say Lupin manages to get the better of them, but the girl is picked up by another crew when he is knocked unconscious. Moving on, they discover that the girl is Lady Clarisse de Cagliostro, daughter of the late Archduke and heir to the throne. She is being forced to marry Count Cagliostro, who happens to be behind the strange disappearances in the region and the counterfeiting operation. When Inspector Zenigata of Interpol arrives, all the pieces are in place and Lupin can start to reveal his plan. I’ll leave it there or the Spoiler Ninja Assassins will be hiding in every shadow again.

I must admit I really enjoyed this one; although the animation has a bit of a naive style about it, it certainly makes up for it in entertainment and storytelling. I saw it in Japanese with subtitles, but I believe there is a dubbed version out there for those who fear the subtitle. Honourable mentions go to the voice talents of; Yasuo Yamada as Arsene Lupin III, Eiko Masuyama as Fujiko Mine, Kiyoshi Kobayashi as Daisuke Jigen, Makio Inoue as Goemon Ishikawa XIII, Gorô Naya as Inspector Zenigata, Sumi Shimamoto as Lady Clarisse de Cagliostro and Tarô Ishida as Count Cagliostro.

This is a film I had seen once before and it was interesting to see just how much of it I had forgotten… I was several years ago that I saw it though. I loved the slapstick humour, particularly from Lupin, some of it was really funny! Although I found the plot a little complicated it didn’t particularly disrupt this interesting and entertaining film… Recommended.

My score: 8.2/10.

IMDb Score: 7.7/10 (based on 7,502 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0079833/

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 90/100 (based on 10 reviews counted at the time of going to press).
Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 59/100 (based on 11,047 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/lupin_the_3rd_castle_of_cagliostro/

If you’re crazy enough… You can find me on Facebook at:
http://facebook.com/andy.steel3

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
[first lines]
Daisuke Jigen: We got five billion in various denominations! It's a shower of bills, look out!
[a pile falls on Lupin]
Lupin III: There's a lot of them, isn't there? More! Bury me with them!
[Jigen buries Lupin with the bills as ordered, but sees Lupin look downcast]
Daisuke Jigen: What's wrong, Lupin?
Lupin III: Dump them.
Daisuke Jigen: WHAT?
Lupin III: These are fakes. Good ones, but fakes.
Daisuke Jigen: These? It can't be! We stole these from the vault of the national casino!
Lupin III: It's Goat Money.
Daisuke Jigen: Goat Money? You mean the phantom counterfeit?
Lupin III: It's even hit the national casino... Jigen! I've decided what our next job will be! First, we're gonna celebrate!
Daisuke Jigen: Damn, damn, damn you!

Daisuke Jigen: Did you slip into that castle?
Lupin III: It's a story more than ten years old. I tried to solve the mystery of the Goat Money. I was still a young punk...
Daisuke Jigen: So what happened?
Lupin III: They gave me hell! I ran away with my tail between my legs.

Fujiko Mine: [on TV] Thank you for waiting, ladies and gentlemen. We're now back on the air. And all hell has broken loose in the ceremonial hall!

LINKS:
Trailer: