Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea 5

Ponyo is, in a word, exquisite. The animation of the underwater sequences are breathtaking. The story, a very loose adaptation of the Little Mermaid, is simple and charming, evocative of Miyazaki's earlier work like Tonari no Totoro (My Neighbor Totoro).

Although the younger characters are the stars in this an most of Miyazaki's films, I think I love his depiction of adults the most. Sosuke's mother and the elderly women she takes care of in her work at the nursing home never question Sosuke's imaginative and often magical interpretation of events. They maintain a believable degree of id and wonderment that is conspicuously absent from most adult characterizations in children's films in America.

The only flaw in this latest Miyazaki masterpiece is Ponyo's father's character, who feels a bit like a walking plot device for most of the film. Despite that, it's still worth watching for any animation fans. I strongly recommend watching the original japanese version with subtitles. The voice talent from the english version is inferior, forced and awkward. Sosuke and Ponyo are supposed to be 5 years old, but the english voice actors sound about 14. This version is already out on DVD while the English version distributed by Disney just hit theaters.