Ponyo (2008)

Quote from Ponyo by Kôichi: “You can’t be busy – you’re five!”

Producers: Naoya Fujimaki, Ryoichi Fukuyama, Kôji Hoshino, Kathleen Kennedy, John Lasseter, Frank Marshall, Hayao Miyazaki, Seiji Okuda, and Toshio Suzuki

Producer (English version): Steve Alpert

Director: Hayao Miyazaki

Writer: Hayao Miyazaki

Cast: Tomoko Yamaguchi, Kazushige Nagashima, Yûki Amami, George Tokoro, Yuria Nara, Hiroki Doi, Rumi Hiiragi, Akiko Yano, Kazuko Yoshiyuki, Tomokmo Naraoka, Shin’ichi Hatori, Tokie Hidari, Eimi Hiraoka, Nozomi Ohashi, etc

Cast (English version): Cate Blanchett, Noah Cyrus, Matt Damon, Tina Fey, Frankie Jonas, Cloris Leachman, Liam Neeson, Jenessa Rose, Lily Tomlin, Betty White, etc

Rating: G

Running Time: 1 hour and 41 minutes

Ponyo or Gake no ue no Ponyo (original title) is a movie with fairy tale and underwater fantasy elements.  It simplifies adult concerns given its G-rating.  You can’t get too deep, but the right questions are asked and lessons are still learned by the end. The primary characters of this story are a young boy named Sosuke and a red goldfish he finds in the Tomonoura harbor.  He names his discovery Ponyo, and while his mother is unsure about his find, she allows him this friendship.  When he learns the goldfish has the ability to take human form, Sosuke and Ponyo form an even closer bond.  This does not happen without consequences, mainly environmental, for Sosuke and the townspeople. It sends Ponyo back into the water, reminding her that life requires more than just wishing and hoping.  Sacrifices must be made, which is what Ponyo says she is willing to do, but is she really ready?  The bottom line is that Ponyo is a wholesome movie for the whole family, and I rate it four fingers and one thumb at 95%.

(One Sheet by Disney)

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