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There is absolutely nothing that should prevent anyone from seeing this film. It is quite kidsafe. Enter the world of Satsuki, little sister Mei and their father. They have just purchased a house in a new town and are moving in today. Quite simple and to the point but lo and behold, while examining the house Mei finds something in the attic. She finds a group of little dust bunnies that appear in every respect to be alive. In a curious fit Mei captures one of the dust bunnies only to find that it was nothing but soot.
The main theme in the movie revolves around the fact that their mother is in the hospital for an unknown illness. This causes quite a bit of anxiety in the lives of the two young girls. There is a cure though. One day while searching around the new house, Mei spots a small spirit which can only be described as the epitome of cute. This spirit tries to go unnoticed but Mei manages to follow it to it's home. When Mei arrives she finds a HUGE ....creature (totoro has the body of a fat bear, the eyes of an owl, the ears and tail of a rabbit, and the claws of a sloth.) which she dubs Totoro. This huge beast is quite furry but is also quite asleep. While investigating her new found friend she falls asleep on his stomach. Later that afternoon Mei wakes up to find that she is in the forest and her new friend is nowhere to be seen. This is the beginning of the interaction between Totoro and the children.
Art/Animation: (7) Not as intricate as some anime but very, very good. Imagery: (8) The artistic Ghibli flair is definitely there. Story: (9) The fact that my brother and sister have watched it at least 12 times and we've only had it for the month speaks for the lasting power of this movie. Sound/Soundtrack: (8) Hey this is ghibli studios nothing but beatiful music. Dub: (6) This was definitely dubbed as a children's movie. Drama/Comedy: (9) Yes the sweet storyline brought a tear to the eye of many who watched it. Overall: (78) Don't forget that 50 is average. Evangelion is 90. If I were rating this compared to other children's movies and not anime it would get at least a 92. |
My Neighbor Totoro
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This is a beautiful, sweet movie. My younger brother and sister have
watched it more times than any of our other children's cartoons.
Miyazaki has a way with imagery and expression. He captures the spirit
of a child in Mei and Satsuki. He also manages to capture the spirit of
life in this movie. In a world full of pain and sorrow this is a
beautiful movie about love in a family. Not everyday is good day but at
least everyday is there. My favorite scene has Totoro waiting with Mei
and Satsuki at the bus stop as they wait for their father to arrive. It
is lightly raining outside and the huge Totoro arrives with nothing but
a leaf covering the top of his head. Seeing Totoro's predicament
Satsuki hands him her father's umbrella. Totoro places it above his
head and waits quietly. Soon he hears and feels larger droplets echo in
the umbrella. Then, again droplets fall from the trees and echo through
the umbrella. A huge grin plays across Totoro's mouth. After a brief
moment of thought Totoro leaps high into the air and comes crashing
down. A downpour of droplets from the trees rains down upon the
children and Totoro and echos loudly through his umbrella. Totoro then
proceeds to emit a yell of joy, which summons what can only be described
as a cat bus, to wisk him away. This is a wonderful movie.