Ponyo (2008)

Ponyo (2008)

 

6/10

 

Starring the voices of

Tomoko Yamaguchi

Kazushige Nagashima

Yūki Amami

George Tokoro

Directed by Hayo Miyazaki

Ponyo is an animation that feels like it’s made solely for children—or at least, that’s how it came across to me. I don’t think the movie appeals to all ages, but I wasn’t completely put off while watching it. Hayao Miyazaki has created better films, but the way the fantasy aspect of this movie unfolds at a steady pace is worth applauding. Written and directed by Miyazaki, Ponyo is inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid.

For me, the biggest challenge with the movie was the story. It leaves plenty of gaps for imagination, which children will love, but as an adult, I tend to prefer a story that feels more complete. Disney’s The Little Mermaid did a better job of making its adaptation of Andersen's tale more rounded and cohesive.

That said, Ponyo is still worth watching, especially for Miyazaki fans who are already comfortable with his unique storytelling style. The fantasy elements of the film unfold swiftly, and there are some truly cool moments, like when the magic of the sea becomes untamed and chaotic. One standout scene is when Ponyo runs on wild, large fish surging across the waves to reach Sosuke—it’s a visual treat that’s hard not to enjoy.

The plot begins with a young boy, Sosuke, finding a small fish and taking it with him. When Sosuke gets a cut, the fish jumps out of its container and licks the wound, healing it. He feeds the fish, names it Ponyo, and takes it home. Soon, we meet a wizard, who turns out to be Ponyo’s father. Fearing for his daughter’s safety, he does everything he can to get her back. Without revealing too many spoilers, let’s just say he succeeds, but that’s only the beginning.

Ponyo’s magic starts to take effect. She loves Sosuke and wants to be with him, so she begins to transform into a human. Her father tries to stop the transformation, and we learn more about his character and motivations. Despite being trapped in a bubble cage, Ponyo breaks free and sets out to find Sosuke. The rest of the movie revolves around Ponyo’s relentless drive to be with Sosuke—a drive so powerful it disrupts the balance of nature and threatens to destroy the world.

To fully appreciate this film, I think it helps to focus on the magnificent way Miyazaki handles the plot, adding just enough twists to keep it engaging.