Rating  - this is a review for the FULLSCREEN version
It looks like fullscreen/widescreen (disney) versions of this movie are on the same page. Neither has Japanese subtitles - both are dubbed. I caught the older, non-Disney one which is pan and scan, and found the dubbing adequate. (Some users here seem pretty unhappy about the Disney one, which I cannot comment on.) My boyfriend threatened to walk away if he was forced to watch a pan-and-scan version (if you are going to rent it, since it doesn't seem to be for sale anymore), but he did watch it and seemed to enjoy the movie anyway with no significant or obvious disadvantages.
The movie itself is great for people of all ages, but if you are thinking of showing it to a child, it helps to know if your child likes watching slightly more introspective, atmospheric movies that _don't_ crack a joke-a-minute with famous names and product tie-ins. Some kids might find this boring, but I'm sure loners and kids with bright imaginations will take to it and see the possibilities for their own creativity and wonder.
basic, basic plot: two sisters (one is about 11, the other 5) move with their father to the Japanese countryside in the 1950s to be nearer their hospitalized mother. The nearby forest contains "totoros," who are super adorable fluffy cat-owl creatures that protect the forest.
I found the animation beautiful and the pacing very refreshing from what North American animation has offered in the past decade. The totoros are winsome and an antidote to the you-know-who aggressively "cute" (but actually just irritating) sidekicks and characters that are created to sell more toys. Totoro is silent, mysterious, charming and can sell me plenty of toys just by being himself. It's a very relaxing and highly recommended experience.
Rating  - A Magical Movie
Hayao Miyazaki's movies all have a magical feel to them and My Neighbor Totoro is no exception. This animated feature follows ten year old Satsuki and her four year old sister Mei on their adventure in the Japanese countryside and encounter with the Lord of the Forest, the giant but very cute Totoro.
You can read the other reviews to find out more about the plot; in this review I want to focus on what I really liked about this movie (I also liked the plot as well, but no use retelling it here).
The animation, like all of Miyazaki's movies, is first rate. I must point out that I've seen both the original version of the DVD released in America, done by Fox Video, and the Disney version. Do yourself a favor and buy the Disney version - it is way better than the sorry Fox version. I would highly recommend watching it in the original Japanese language with subtitles (assuming you don't understand Japanese). The movie flows so much better that way and you get nuances that are bludgeoned by the English dubbing job. Even the music and the background sound effects are different, with the English version being way too heavy handed.
The Disney version also has the movie in the original widescreen aspect ratio whereas the Fox version has the pan and scan altered ratio.
As for the movie itself, Satsuki and Mei act very natural (as natural as cartoon characters can be, that is). They don't act precocious, they don't act bratty, they aren't made to be overly cute or lovable, they are simply made to be real and believable. All in all, this is a charming story with excellent production values, and I am thankful that someone released it in its original aspect ratio with the original language and soundtrack. Only this version does this great movie justice.
By the way, a bit of trivia - Ken Jennings, the Jeopardy wonder-guy, has a Totoro on his keychain for good luck.
Rating  - Sad Face
I ordered this product and got a tracking number. When I checked with USPS, the package was marked delivered, but, sadly, it never arrived. This is one of my absolute favorite movies, and I'm sure it's no fault of the sender that the package never made it to my house. I suppose it either got lost in the mail, or somebody in the Postal personnel decided to swipe it. Wish I'd had a better experience.
Rating - Best Movie of All Time
I love this. I've never felt more joy from a movie. It's great to watch when you're just bummed, or sick. SO cute.
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Customer Reviews for Walt Disney Home Entertainment,0788834037,786936175271,9780788834035,B0001XAQ0A, |
