Pop Culture Reviews

Ponyo – Movie Review

[xrr rating= 9.5/10 imageset=tiny_star label="Movie Rating:"]

Distributor: Madman Cinema  Released: 2009 Genre: Animation/Adventure/Family Credits: Director: Hayao Miyazaki Writers: Hayao Miyazaki Starring: Cate Blanchett, Liam Neeson, Matt Damon  Rating: G

Ponyo is classic Miyazaki. If you’re unfamiliar with Hayao Miyazaki’s work, you’ve probably missed out on some of the most endearing animation/story-telling of our age.  Miyazaki is the creator of Howl’s Moving Castle and Spirited Away, both of which have won numerous awards for animation and writing.

Ponyo is the story of a magical ‘goldfish’ that longs to be human. Although it’s probably easier to look at Ponyo as a mermaid rather than a goldfish. She meets a boy named Sasuke by accident one day as he is playing by the sea. A friendship develops between the two that endures the miraculous and arduous journey ahead. Little does Sasuke know however, that Ponyo’s life is controlled by her father (voiced by Liam Neeson), who wants nothing more than to keep Ponyo away from humans. This is partially because of her magical abilities and partially because he has a great disdain for humans and their wasteful treatment of the natural environment (in particular, the sea).

As the friendship between Ponyo and Sasuke develops, people find themselves drawn to the little ‘girl-fish’ including Sasuke’s fiesty mother. After what locals think is a ‘Tsunami’ (which is actually brought on by Ponyo’s escape from her home under the sea), Sasuke is left alone with Ponyo. Ponyo at this time has been transformed into a little girl (through the magic her father was trying to keep from her) but suddenly turns back into a fish again after being pursued by her father. Sasuke is also worried about being apart from his mother who left him during the storm.

Ponyo’s mother (voiced by Cate Blanchett) is the Goddess of Mercy and talks to Sasuke’s mother and to Sasuke about her daughter and her special ‘magic’. After realising that Ponyo’s love for Sasuke is true (as is his for her), Ponyo’s mother transforms her into a human, abandoning her mermaid (goldfish) form forever.

The story touches on ancient Japanese mythology in a way that is very appealing to the modern audience. Miyazaki is a wizard of blending the old with the new and making it accessible and entertaining for all age groups. Ponyo like Howls Moving Castle and Spirited Away before it, captures the audience in the magic and mystery of the story without really taking you too far away from reality.

The voice acting talent is wonderfully cast. Liam Neeson is great as Ponyo’s father and Cate Blanchett’s majestical voice is well-suited to that of the Goddess of Mercy. Matt Damon plays a smaller part as the voice of Sasuke’s Sailor dad. The animation is right up there with the excellence Miyazaki is renowned for and Studio Ghibli’s talented staff of animators push boundaries once again.