Ponyo (2008)

Rating: 70%Alright so after this movie, there's only two movies left to review from Miyazaki from movies he did in Studio Ghibli. So let's move on to one I've been really curious about from looking at posters and stuff for, Ponyo.

Plot: Brunhilde is a fish-girl that lives with her magical father in his underwater aquarium. One day she sneaks out and floats away in a jellyfish to see more of the world. She then comes across a little boy named Sōsuke who rescues her when she gets stuck inside a class cup. But in the process, he cuts his finger from the glass and Brunhilde licks the cut healing him. They become attached to one another and Brunhilde starts talking, and Sōsuke starts to call her Ponyo.

Well I will admit that this is a very nice movie. The characters were pretty nice, the animation and all around world is pretty darn creative as it should as a Miyazaki film should, the cast is awesome with it containing, Matt Damon, Tina Fey, Cate Blanchett, Liam Neeson, and Betty White. But while the story is nice and creative, it has its odd points. *WARNING SPOILERS* My main example is how there's the whole situation about the moon and the whole thing about the balance in the world. Then there's the something of a subplot with Fujimoto hating humans or something like that. Both of them were very odd because I don't think they went very far on which made both parts of the story kind of off. But by biggest issue was that they made the whole test over Sōsuke's love for Ponyo that is also deciding the fate of the earth really stupid simple: asking him if he loves her either as a fish or a human. I mean sure this movie is probably a little more intended for little kids around the age of the main characters of this film, but considering that this is about the fate of the earth and that they're testing Sōsuke's love for Ponyo, I thought it was a little too simple. And on top of it, Granmamare and especially Fujimoto seemed to take it a little too well that they're letting a little boy decide whether or not to have their VERY young daughter be human for good. I mean I'm sure his love is true and he means it that he'll protect her and he has his mom to help, but... I don't know, to be that big of a change for such young kids. Frankley, it kind of sounds more concerning then teenagers falling in love and getting married in most of the Disney film. But that's my opinion. * END OF SPOILERS*  But I digress, Ponyo is a very fun creative film to enjoy.

Characters:
Sōsuke and Ponyo: They are very lovable characters. I mean that probably goes without saying since they're like, only 4 or 5 years old, but they do display that very well with the animation and the voice acting that makes them very fun to enjoy and make the film all around enjoyable for kids around that very young age.
Lisa: Well firstly, it was awesome to hear Tina Fey in one of the Disney versions to these films, but secondly, Lisa was kind of a strange character. I mean she was a crazy driver, and she kind of adapted to believing that Ponyo is what she really is surprisingly quickly. I mean she had her conversaion with Ponyo's mother about what was going to happen at the end of the movie, I bet rather then being concerned she just more or less went "Okay" and there you go.

Music: The music had a much more cheery tone then most Miyazaki films do which I think turned out very nicely to set up how this film is mostly set for very young kids.

And that's my review for Ponyo. I have a few issues with the story and the ending especially, but it's still a very fun, creative film from Miyazaki for people of all ages to enjoy.