Ponyo

Lynn’s Druthers Marathon, part 13



Data
Title: Gake no ue no Ponyo
Year: 2008 (Japan); 2009 (US)
Length: 101 minutes
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Writer: Hayao Miyazaki
Starring: Yuria Nara, Hiroki Doi, Jôji Tokoro, Tomoko Yamaguchi
Music: Joe Hisaishi
I saw it: on video (rented from Greencine), yesterday
Synopsis: a magic fish leaves the sea

My reaction
Concept:
Story: There's the story of the relationship of the main characters, which is good. And then there's, simultaneously, the Anime story of inexplicable magic and deus ex machinas, which is crap. My theory is that it isn't supposed to make any sense. We're seeing things from the perspective of a five-year-old, so all that magic and giant fish waves and end of the world confusion is grown up stuff and over our heads. But more likely, it's just too damn Japanese for me.
Characters:
Dialog:
Pacing:
Cinematography:
Special effects/design:
Acting:
Music:
Subjective Rating: 7/10 (Good, ). The adorable bits are adorable enough to make up for the movie's problems. But damn is the plot a mess.
Objective Rating (Average):