Monday Night Poll: Your Favorite Miyazaki?
Filed under: Animation, Foreign Language, New Releases, Polls
I was a little underwhelmed by Hayao Miyazaki's latest work, Ponyo, which seemed to me more cutesy and less dazzlingly expansive than what I am used to from the Japanese master of gorgeous cel animation. I suspect my reaction is due largely to the fact that this time Miyazaki wanted more earnestly than usual to appeal to the single-digit set, and so focused on keeping things as simple and adorable as possible. (Which, by the way -- if you're within grabbing distance of a tyke in the 5-8 age vicinity, haul him and her to the theater forthwith, as Ponyo will be gone by next weekend.) The result is less rewarding to Miyazaki's adult fans, but maybe that's unavoidable. I mean, Up -- a masterpiece and the best film of the year, if you ask me -- would probably bore a six year-old to tears.
Whatever your feelings about Ponyo, it's a vivid and not unpleasant reminder of the treasures that Miyazaki's filmography holds in store. If you're a movie buff who hasn't delved into Miyazaki, I envy you. If you have, what's your favorite? Mine, without a doubt, is Spirited Away, which is not only head-spinningly rich and imaginative like all of his work, but also haunting, and achingly sad, and somehow more personal. Even the poster -- as perfect a piece of movie artwork as I've ever seen -- is evocative and disquieting.
I'm curious to see if others share this view, so I've set up this poll. Which Miyazaki marvel is your favorite?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-24-2009 @ 9:21PM
paul said...
I'm with you there brother on Spirited Away. A richly imagined world, wonderfully protrayed by Miyazaki's animators. A fantastic bit of movie making. They're all pretty great though.
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8-24-2009 @ 9:28PM
Michael said...
My brain says "Spirited Away" but my heart screams "My Neighbor Totoro." Really, though, they're all wonderful films--even the one with the raccoons and their testicles that Disney will NEVER release in the states.
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8-24-2009 @ 10:00PM
Rilindo Foster said...
" the raccoons and their testicles that Disney will NEVER release in the states."
It IS available in the states - for some time:
http://www.amazon.com/Pom-Poko-Shinchô-Kokontei/dp/B0009MAO3W/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1251165512&sr=8-15
8-24-2009 @ 10:10PM
Michael said...
My mistake! Wow--very cool. Thanks.
8-25-2009 @ 8:28AM
Wexler said...
I hadn't heard of this one. I see Miyazaki is billed as an executive producer. I don't mean to downplay the role of an executive, but did he actually do anything creative on this movie or did he just back the film?
8-24-2009 @ 10:01PM
uforeader said...
I guess I'm one of the few people that just doesn't understand his movies. I've only seen his 2 most famous (Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke) but I don't understand the appeal at all. I felt like Princess Mononoke was repeatedly hitting me on the head with the same predictable message. Too much. And while I can appreciate the imagination in Spirited Away, I was completely bored... it has no direction.
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8-24-2009 @ 10:16PM
jake said...
Definitely going with Nausicaa. It was Miyazaki's first original film and it's my favorite. It's got a complex story with a simple message and everything about it is just great.
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8-25-2009 @ 12:43AM
Jon Leo said...
Where's Lupin the III, The Castle of Cagliostro?
Probably my favorite of his films. I'll go with Kiki's Delivery Service I guess. I enjoy them all one way or another though (except Ponyo, only because I haven't seen it yet).
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8-25-2009 @ 9:28AM
ML said...
Very difficult to choose. I kept going back and forth between Nausicaa and Howl's Moving Castle & finally settled on Howl.
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8-25-2009 @ 9:41AM
Janel said...
I have loved all of the films and find it hard to pick just one. I think each film has such a rich and wonderful world. I want to say Howl's Moving Castle but I also fell in love with My Neighbor Totoro. Miyazaki has the most amazing, creative worlds. He makes stories that do not pander to children but show them there are scary things and they too can overcome their fears by being brave and different. he is the most wonderful story teller in my humble opinion.
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8-25-2009 @ 10:30AM
JimeneX said...
I love Kiki's delivery service. Spirited Away is a very close second.
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8-25-2009 @ 11:51AM
clodjee said...
All the movies he made after his “retirement” (Princess Mononoke and on) are only rehashing of previous movies or old ideas.
My favourite is definitively “Nausicaa.”
Miyazaki did only the planning on “Pompoko.”
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8-25-2009 @ 12:36PM
totoro said...
Tough one.
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8-25-2009 @ 2:57PM
cough said...
They're all so fantastic. Kiki, totoro, ponyo, chihiro, porco. I guess spirited away gets my vote just for being my first Myazaki film.
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8-25-2009 @ 5:17PM
Sam said...
I would say that Spirited Away is the best one, but Howl's Moving Castle holds a very special place in my heart. I'll love all Studio Ghibli films that I've seen. Ponyo was beautiful, but I do agree that the story is a bit simple. It is still a very charming film.
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8-26-2009 @ 7:38AM
C.A. said...
Ack, this was hard. They are all so great. I voted for Howl's narrowly beating Spirited Away for me.
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8-26-2009 @ 5:03PM
silvy said...
Its hard to pick buuut Princess Mononoke is my favourite!
Followed by Kiki's Delivery Service and Spirited Away. And Howl. And Totoro. Annnd..you get the idea~
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8-28-2009 @ 4:55PM
Jill said...
I'm a romantic so Howl's Moving Castle is my favorite. It's full of love and humor and mystery and bittersweet angst. I also think it's got the best English dub.
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