Today latest Studio Ghibli film is on in the IFI cinema open day. Called ‘Ponyo’ it is the story of a goldfish (Ponyo) that falls in love with a boy (Sōsuke) and wants to become human. At least thats what the poster says. And it does makes it a little confusing because seriously, what goldfish has a face?! What the blurb should say is the daughter of the sea wizard falls in love with a boy.. We’ve seen the littlest mermaid. We know how this works. but I digress. If you didn’t get to check it out today perhaps you’d like to check out the rest of whats on offer.
The latest additon ‘Ponyo’ might not make it to classic status but is far more accesible than their previous cinema release ‘Spirited Away’, which, though quite long, is visually stunning. I reckon Ponyo will be well recieved by kids. It’s got giant fish waves! Lots of colour and movement and magic toy tug boats. Can’t say fairer than that.
May I recommend
My Neighbour Totoro. Two children fear for their mother who has become ill and is in hospital in the city. They go exploring and meet a creature, Totoro. He shows them the Cat bus so they can see their mum and not fear for her so much.
and above all, though done before the formation of what is now Studio Ghibli, if you watch only one, then it MUST be ‘Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind‘. Beautifully animated, this is set in a post apocolypse future where humans live in small pockets of civilisation. The rest of the world is a wasteland that has been taken over by a toxic fungal forest filled with giant insects. Nausicaä of the wind valley is a young girl who, on her air glider helps keep insects (carrying fungus spores) from entering the valley. She seems to have a good rappor with the forest insects and must use this to save them all when the creatures of the forest are stammpeded towards her village and stop a new world war.
Wonderful movies, with more imagination and originality than most Hollywood fodder
My favourite Ghibli movie is Princess Mononoke.
Have to say, Grave of the Fireflies is my favourite. Very different from the others though. Have you seen it?
I saw fireflies when I was sick and had to turn it off halfway through, it was quite depressing! Princess monoke is lovely alright. The little stone wobbly head spirits are cool
Fireflies is deeply moving, but a movie you’re inclined to see only once. It’s very difficult to watch - heartbreaking stuff.
I wasn’t impressed with Ponyo, I have to admit. I know it’s aimed at younger kids, but coming after the glorious Spirited Away and hugely enjoyable Howl’s Moving Castle, it felt too short, too sweet, and disappointingly insubstantial. I suppose it’s more in the vein of Totoro and Kiki; if you watch it with that understanding, you won’t be disappointed.
I wouldn’t say the Ghibli colelction is made up of fables for kids - Fireflies, Only Yesterday, Whisper Of The Heart, Pom Poko, Porco Rosso, and Princess Mononoke are all quite sophisticated … some of them may even bore younger viewers!
Having said that, you can’t beat an afternoon with popcorn and The Cat Returns, if my eight-year-old is anything to go by!