A fellow critic here in Seattle told me he considered Hayao Miyazaki one of the five greatest directors working today. Agree with the top five placement or not, it’s a statement I can’t, won’t and didn’t argue with. Miyazaki’s films are some of the most imaginative, unique, magical, beautiful and downright playful films you will see, and Ponyo is no different.
It’s hard to decide what to love more: Miyazaki’s imagination, his dedication to hand-drawn animation or his ability to develop characters and situations audiences can’t help but fall absolutely in love with. Fortunately, it hardly matters as once again he manages a perfect marriage of all three elements in telling the story of Ponyo (voiced by Noah Cyrus), a deep-sea goldfish with a desire to be human.
When 5-year-old Sosuke (voiced by Frankie Jonas) heads down to the beach from his cliff-side house he stumbles upon Ponyo trapped in a glass jar. After setting her free, magic happens and Ponyo gains the ability to transform into a young girl Sosuke’s age. Is this turn of events met with confusion by Sosuke’s mother? Not at all, after all there is no time. What Ponyo has not considered is her transformation has caused an imbalance in nature. The moon is sinking and causing the sea to rise. Sosuke’s seaside village is entirely underwater and only the friendship between Ponyo and Sosuke can save it.
Along with the adventures of Sosuke and Ponyo, perhaps the most memorable moments come in the form of Ponyo’s first steps as a human. She rushes around Sosuke’s house, clutching the green pail he first carried her in, sucking down noodles, running full boar into the sliding glass door and consistently proclaiming her love for ham before passing out on the couch. Of all the magic in Miyazaki’s stories and animation, it has always been his ability to portray children that has captured my attention. Their slightest gestures and their curiosity are mirrored in every movement. Those puffy cheeks and wide eyes are so inviting you can’t help but become fascinated. With Ponyo we get not one, but two such children and they are a handful to keep up with.
Another joy of a Miyazaki feature is that even the absurdities are met with such simple-minded acceptance you can’t help but laugh along with them. For example, a wave is obviously chasing Sosuke as he is saving Ponyo. He narrowly escapes only to turn around and say dryly, “That was weird.” Yeah, it was weird, that wave just tried to eat you! Even better is Sosuke’s mother (voiced by Tina Fey) throwing a temper tantrum at the news her husband (voiced by Matt Damon) won’t be coming home from sea. She proceeds to crack open a beer and collapse on the bed, which is followed by an absolutely hilarious moment of Morse Code ending in a brilliant display of lights. From downright human behavior, to the absurd, to comedic and finally ending in a moment of beauty this film delivers it all.
Everything in a Miyazaki feature seems to have a life of its own. Even the ocean has eyes as Ponyo’s concerned father (voiced by Liam Neeson) can command the waves to do his bidding. Filled with colors and organic imagery you can’t help but get lost in, Ponyo is another Miyazaki classic that will hopefully bring even more audience members into the filmmaker’s circle of fans.
Also featuring the voices of Cloris Leachman, Lily Tomlin, Betty White and Cate Blanchett the English language translation works just fine, although I am sure some purists will say it takes away from the authenticity of it all. I disagree, but once the DVD is released you can spend your time watching it however you like, just as long as you are watching it.
