Gake no ue no Ponyo (2008)

Director:

Hayao Miyazaki

Writer:

Hayao Miyazaki (written by)

Release Date:

14 August 2009 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Adventure | Family | Fantasy

Tagline:

Welcome To A World Where Anything Is Possible.

Plot:

An animated adventure centered on a 5-year-old boy and his relationship with a goldfish princess who longs to become human.

Plot Keywords:

5 Year Old | Sea | Princess | Becoming Human | Magic

Awards:

6 wins & 10 nominations

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Yuria Nara	...	Ponyo (voice: Japanese Version)
Hiroki Doi	...	Sosuke (voice: Japanese Version)
Jôji Tokoro	...	Fujimoto (voice: Japanese Version)
Tomoko Yamaguchi	...	Risa (voice: Japanese Version)
Yûki Amami	...	Guranmamare (voice: Japanese Version)
Kazushige Nagashima	...	Kôichi (voice: Japanese Version)
Akiko Yano	...	Ponyo no kyôdai (voice: Japanese Version)
Shinichi Hatori	...	Anchorman (voice: Japanese Version)
Tokie Hidari	...	Kayo (voice: Japanese Version)
Eimi Hiraoka	...	Kumiko (voice: Japanese Version)
Rumi Hîragi	...	Young Mother (voice: Japanese Version)
Tomoko Naraoka	...	Yoshie (voice: Japanese Version)
Nozomi Ôhashi	...	Karen (voice: Japanese Version)
Kazuko Yoshiyuki	...	Toki (voice: Japanese Version)
Akihiko Ishizumi	...	(voice: Japanese Version)

Also Known As:

Ponyo (UK) (USA)
Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (Australia) (International: English title)
Ponyo on the Cliff (International: English title) (informal literal title)
Untitled Hayao Miyazaki Project (International: English title) (working title)

Runtime:

101 min

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital EX | DTS-ES | Dolby Digital (English-language version)

Certification:

South Korea:All | Hong Kong:I | Singapore:G | Taiwan:GP | Switzerland:0 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:0 (canton of Vaud) | Netherlands:AL | Belgium:KT | USA:G (certificate #45429) | Argentina:Atp | Portugal:M/4 (dubbed version) | Portugal:M/6 (subtitled version) | Canada:G (all jurisdictions) | Australia:G | Mexico:A | New Zealand:G | Sweden:7 | Ireland:G | UK:U | Denmark:7

Company:

Studio Ghibli

Trivia:

Hayao Miyazaki stated at the 2009 San Diego Comic Con that he was inspired to create the film after watching Disney's animated adaptation The Little Mermaid (1989).

Quotes:

Ponyo: Ponyo loves Sosuke! I will be a human, too!

Movie Connections:

References Tonari no Totoro (1988)

Soundtrack:

Umi no okâsan

It's like drugs....good drugs,....but still drugs! And drugs that the whole family can enjoy!

I have a strong feeling that what you think of this film will strongly depend on your frame of reference. If you've never seen a Miyazaki film before, then it will probably confuse the heck out of you. If you have seen a Miyazaki film before, then it will still probably confuse the heck out of you....but you won't really care! That's because I found that the first time I saw one of his animated films, I tried too hard to figure out what was happening and why--and it impacted my enjoyment of the film. Now that I have seen just about every Miyazaki film, I see the bizarreness and just take it all in--enjoying the beauty of it all. In many ways, these films (at least to Western audiences) is like drugs--lots of strange and beautiful images that don't always initially make sense but sure feel great to see!! Of all the Miyazaki films, this might have the most unusual and incomprehensible story line--even more so than SPIRITED AWAY and PRINCESS MONONOKE or MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO. But, like these and many other Studio Gibli films, if you just sit back and watch you are rewarded with a fabulous tale. But, because it is so hard to describe (and others have already done so), I won't even go there.

As for the artwork, it's very typical of one of these Japanese films, though there was one noticeable change. There was a very extensive use of what looked like colored pencils for the backgrounds. This was NOT a bad thing at all--the lovely pastel-like look was very pleasing and unique. In some ways it looked like a tiny bit of Bill Plympton's art style was infused into a typical Miyazaki film. With a high frame-rate, exceptional character animation (which imbued them with tons of personality) and a great "wow-factor", this is an exceptional film for all ages. Though clearly designed more for younger audiences (the TOTORO fans especially), it is a bit scary here and there (during the storm segments) but there is plenty of great stuff for adults. As an adult (at least chronologically so), I loved the cute stuff and applaud the other-worldliness of the film.

A great film--among Miyazaki's best. I don't give it a 10 because I am hesitant to ever do that--plus I did like a few of the studio's other films a bit more (particularly TOTORO). But that DOESN'T mean you shouldn't rush out now and see it--do it and do yourself a favor.