Zeke T Grimm
08-18-2009, 12:26 PM
For those who don't know, this is the latest animated movie from director Hayao Miyazaki, who also made Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, Howl's Moving Castle, and a number of other films, which are considered some of the most beautiful animation in the world.
I was among the first audience in the theater when I saw this movie last Friday. I enjoyed it, but potential viewers should be aware that this is a movie for VERY young children. The hero is five years old. And, I have to say, I felt a little uncomfortable being the only adult male in the theater who was by himself.
If you don't know, the plot of the movie is that a goldfish, the child of a human husband of the Goddess of Mercy, is rescued by the aforemention five-year-old. The fish then turns herself into a little girl, Ponyo, who falls in love with the boy. She then has to decide if she wants to stay human or return to the fish world.
There are some scenes that may upset young children. As a result of actions, the sea becomes tumultuous and the waves have sometimes sinister-looking eyes. The moon moves closer to Earth and becomes huge in the sky. Also, some adults would be upset by the reference to a diety other than God and hints about evolution. But I don't know how many such adults would take their children to this movie.
But I did like it. For one thing, I was able to connect to the sense of wonder that Ponyo, indeed, most children, has regarding the world and everything in it. Tea, Ramen noodles, steam-powered toy boats, and much more are sources of fascination for Ponyo. And I found some part of me was able to revert to five years old and admire the movie. And, of course, there's the usual beauty that Miyazaki brings to all of his films.
Give it a try, but bring a young child with you. (I was amazed at how quiet all of the children in the theater were throughout the movie, just totally engrossed by it. There were a couple of babies who were too young to understand what was going on about the whole experience.) There are people who complain that there are no movies for the entire family. This one, at least, is for the very young and their parents.
I was among the first audience in the theater when I saw this movie last Friday. I enjoyed it, but potential viewers should be aware that this is a movie for VERY young children. The hero is five years old. And, I have to say, I felt a little uncomfortable being the only adult male in the theater who was by himself.
If you don't know, the plot of the movie is that a goldfish, the child of a human husband of the Goddess of Mercy, is rescued by the aforemention five-year-old. The fish then turns herself into a little girl, Ponyo, who falls in love with the boy. She then has to decide if she wants to stay human or return to the fish world.
There are some scenes that may upset young children. As a result of actions, the sea becomes tumultuous and the waves have sometimes sinister-looking eyes. The moon moves closer to Earth and becomes huge in the sky. Also, some adults would be upset by the reference to a diety other than God and hints about evolution. But I don't know how many such adults would take their children to this movie.
But I did like it. For one thing, I was able to connect to the sense of wonder that Ponyo, indeed, most children, has regarding the world and everything in it. Tea, Ramen noodles, steam-powered toy boats, and much more are sources of fascination for Ponyo. And I found some part of me was able to revert to five years old and admire the movie. And, of course, there's the usual beauty that Miyazaki brings to all of his films.
Give it a try, but bring a young child with you. (I was amazed at how quiet all of the children in the theater were throughout the movie, just totally engrossed by it. There were a couple of babies who were too young to understand what was going on about the whole experience.) There are people who complain that there are no movies for the entire family. This one, at least, is for the very young and their parents.