Ponyo

Ponyo (崖の上のポニョ Hepburn: Gake no Ue no Ponyo, literally "Ponyo on the Cliff") is a 2008 Japanese animated fantasy comedy film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki and produced by Studio Ghibli for the Nippon Television Network, Dentsu, Hakuhodo DY Media Partners, Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Mitsubishi, and Toho. It is the eighth film Hayao Miyazaki directed for Studio Ghibli and his tenth film overall.

The film was released in Japan on July 19, 2008, and was later dubbed into English by Disney in the US and Canada on August 14, 2009, and in the UK on February 12, 2010. It earned over US$201 million worldwide and won several awards, including the Japan Academy Prize for Animation of the Year.

Plot
During a forbidden excursion to see the surface world, a goldfish princess encounters a human boy named Sosuke, who gives her the name Ponyo. Ponyo longs to become human, and as her friendship with Sosuke grows, she becomes more humanlike. Ponyo's father brings her back to their ocean kingdom, but so strong is Ponyo's wish to live on the surface that she breaks free, and in the process, spills a collection of magical elixirs that endanger Sosuke's village.

Why It Swims Perfectly

 * 1) Even though the movie is based on The Little Mermaid, it expands on that very differently with a unique story and characters as opposed to the Disney film/fairytale. And it's not just a terrible parody of the fairytale but rather an affectionate take of the beloved story.
 * 2) The story, while mainly simple, still manages to be a profound one due to the development it undergoes over the course of the film. As well as the characters that carry it being interesting and complex as well, which really helps the story be the same way.
 * 3) * Ponyo, the titular character, is an energetic and curious girl who is a goldfish borne from the sea goddess Granmamare and a human named Fujimoto who, upon reaching the surface, forms a strong friendship with a boy named Sosuke and decides that she's willing to dedicate her life to being with him.
 * 4) * Sosuke is an intelligent and happy boy for his age who shows a really good relationship with Ponyo after freeing her from a glass jar she got trapped in on her way to the surface.
 * 5) Amazing animation, all of it being done hand-drawn with no CGI in sight (it's also worth noting that this was also the first Studio Ghibli film in a while to be exclusively hand-drawn).
 * 6) On the subject of his relationship with Ponyo, Sosuke and Ponyo's chemistry is also done well. one moment this is shown is when Ponyo and her sisters start a tsunami in order to get to him. Her actions did likely endanger many people, yes, but not only was this completely unintentional, but it was also due to her desperation to reach the only true friend she ever had, who she had been separated from. Ponyo later turning into a fish while still on land and Sosuke's desperation to save her before it was too late also helps to make their close relationship, along with their commitments to Granmamare in order to be with each other in the end of the movie all the more believable.
 * 7) Great voice acting, both in Japanese and English.
 * 8) Awesome music by composer Joe Hisaishi, especially the main theme. But the rest of the soundtrack is nothing to scoff at, as it features lovely tracks like Deep Sea Pastures and Mother Sea, among many, many more. They can all be found here.
 * 9) Quite exciting and intense moments, like when Ponyo causes a tsunami with her sisters with the appearances of giant fish made out of water, in order to reach Sosuke.
 * 10) Ponyo's Mom Granmamare is a beautiful piece of animation. And the movie's already beautiful animation only helps to enhance her sheer stunning and breathtaking appearance.

Bad Qualities

 * 1) Disney replaced the second verse of the main theme in the credits with a cheesy remix sang by Noah Cyrus and Frankie Jonas.
 * 2) Ponyo, while likable, can be a bit gross or even selfish at times.
 * 3) The ending, while magnificent, feels quite rushed, and could've ended on a higher note.

Trivia

 * Miyazaki wanted to make a sequel to this film, but Toshio Suzuki convinced him to make The Wind Rises, which itself is a good movie no doubt.
 * The Nostalgia Critic did a review on this movie and he thought it was okay (Mostly because he got his butt kicked by many of his friends)

Videos
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