Studio Ghibli’s “Ponyo” Movie Review: Whimsical Wonder in your favorite Nostalgic Movie (2008)

 by: Aeasha Labvinia Ayson and Alfrancheska Bartolome

 

 

“Ponyo” is an anime written and directed by the renowned Hayao Miyazaki. It is one of the famous films of Studio Ghibli and is a fan-favorite because of its comforting and nostalgic atmosphere as well as its sweet storyline about childhood friendship. "Ponyo", just like many of Hayao Miyazaki's films centers mostly around unexpected friendship. In this movie, a Princess goldfish whose Father is originally human that turns into the Guardian of Sea life and whose Mother is the Goddess of mercy and the Queen of the Ocean leaves her Kingdom to go see the surface world but is unfortunately caught in a plastic jar. Thankfully, a young boy on the shore finds her and names her “Ponyo” and brings her to his school. In a series of events, they become friends but as Ponyo remains on land, her magic start to affect the village and even caused the village to be submerged in water. In the end, Ponyo’s Mother grants her wish to be a human and stay with the little boy’s family. Despite its familiar plot and lessons, Ponyo stands out with its stunning graphics, charming characters, and delightful entertainment, proving that a well-crafted film can still shine even with conventional themes.

The plot or storyline of this movie is really not that unique. It has been done before and has been a common theme of Studio Ghibli’s films. Friendship, nature, and magical beings have been explored in various forms in Ghibli films but despite the storyline being cliche, many people still love this movie because of its familiarity and how it well it resonates with its audience. Many feel nostalgia while watching as friendship is an experience everyone can relate to. It is one of the reasons why this film has been successful as it reaches audiences of different ages and cultures. The storyline might be common but with Miyazaki’s incredible strategies, he is able to execute it in a way that doesn’t make it a flaw but rather a feature of the film.

Each and every character was written intricately in a way that makes each of them relatable and familiar but also unique in some ways. Ponyo who is the protagonist, has orange hair that resembles a goldfish. She embodies a cute little toddler who is full of curiosity and wonder. Sosuke, the little boy that befriends Ponyo is a dark haired boy which contrasts his friend's hair perfectly. The way they were visually complementing and contrasting colors reminded me of a yin yang koi fish. The way they designed the characters fitted the narrative of the movie precisely but also gave them unique and creative characteristics. An example of this would be Ponyo’s father who has an interesting fashion taste with his stripes and vibrant colors despite his character being dim and always looking tired. Another would be the old ladies in Sosuke’s village, all of them being similar characters but unique in their attitude, style and even the way they speak. They might have been minor characters but even they were written meticulously which helped the film be brought to life and help the audience be engrossed in the film completely

Of course, we cannot review a Studio Ghibli film without talking about its iconic and signature graphics. Studio Ghibli has always been known for their dreamy portrayal of the world and the characters of their films and of course “Ponyo” is no different. The animation immensely contributes to the atmosphere of the film. The way they portray the Sea in a magical way contrasts the normal village of Sosuke beautifully. Each frame of the movie is truly mesmerizing filled with intricate details and vibrant colors which helped the audience imagine the world Miyazaki was trying to portray. Overall, the animation and graphics of “Ponyo” is absolutely amazing and has to have the best graphics of Studio Ghibli’s films.

From the beginning, the viewers can already be captivated into the magical world the film is trying to portray. From the irresistible characters and their little quirks, to the action and flow of the whole film, and its magical views, “Ponyo” is really a film that is able to draw the viewers and immerse them into the film. The film not only provides a wide ray of creative imagination but also entertains through humor.

The film’s message was good but does not aim to be mind-altering. For those seeking to find new perspectives, “Ponyo” might not be the film for them as it focuses on giving viewers a feel-good story that easily resonates with the majority. Viewers looking for heartwarming magical stories that isn’t necessarily thought provoking, Ponyo might be just right for them to watch on a random day. That is one reason why many consider this film as their “comfort movie” because of its simplicity.

Overall, “Ponyo” is a film anyone in any age or culture can relate to. Its well-written characters and whimsical visuals allows the viewers to be immersed in the world. However, while it is well-executed and entertaining, the storyline and lesson nothing new, for viewers who are trying to find new perspectives or groundbreaking insight, this might not be the film for them. This film is ideal for viewers who are looking for light-hearted and comforting film who like exploring wide imaginations with magical beings and enchanting sights.