What??? You have got to be kidding me. This gets an 89? What??? A cartoon movie with that high of a score you expect to be funny and/or very moving with a great story line and good animation. No. This is some kind of psychotic whacked out fantasy that only may be halfway cute if someone is stoned. Even then they will say it was bad. People, what is going on with ratings??? Where are the truly good movies? I mean really.... did they just quit being made years ago? We left the theater early as you would guess, but we were not the first ones to do so.… Expand

Boring! Lovely visuals only take you so far. At some point you need a story. Or good music. Or something.

Ponyo should run with the following disclaimer: Warning! Do NOT go to this movie expecting another Princess Mononoke or Spirited Away! If you are going to see Ponyo, note that this film is firmly targeted to the pre-tween audience. I am an ardent fan of Miyazaki's work, but Ponyo is the weakest film of his that I have ever seen. Yes, the visuals are stunning, but the story lacks the depth we have come to expect from him. Even Miyazaki's earlier works that are mainly targeted towards children (such as My Neighbor Totoro and Kiki's Delivery Service) easily best Ponyo in plot and character development. If Pixar has taught us anything, it is that you can have all the beauty and all the technology in the world thrown up on the screen, but in the end, it comes down to the power of the story that makes a film great. The overzealous voice acting by the American actors further tarnishes Ponyo. Before Miyazaki was "discovered" by Disney, the less star-powered cast of voice talents used in the US versions of his films did a much better job of avoiding too much verve in favor of subtlety and color. Miyazaki is truly one of the all-time great masters of animation. It is a terrible shame that Ponyo may be his final work.… Expand

Of all the Miyazaki films that I have seen, this was the least interesting. I did not get a sense of wonder and awe that I had seen in his previous films. Ponyo did not do anything special that made me want to care about her. The mother character was terrible. Maybe it is time for Mr. Miyazaki to quit while he is ahead. DVD only!

I usually love Miyazaki's stuff, but this was definitely one of his weaker films. It's got some good moments, but mostly I was left puzzled, bored, sometimes grossed out and kind of embarrassed by it. Some visuals were really great, but overall it feels like the scripted needed a lot more work than it got, and from there it's just downhill.

I waited for a moment where I might feel some sort of emotion for at least one character in the film. I waited and waited. I then waited a little longer. I sat in the theater watching the credits roll to some of the worst music I have ever heard. When it was over all I can say is "I waited." If you enjoy waiting by all means go see it. If you would like to be more productive with your time I suggest painting a room in your house and wait for the paint to dry. It is equally entertaining.… Expand

I've really enjoyed all of Miyazaki's previous films, but this left me pretty disappointed. The animation was subpar compared to any of his other films and the story is quite frankly makes no sense. Done right, the line between reality and fantasy is blurred until you have forgotten there was anything but the fantasy, but in Ponyo they chose never to address reality at all.

History of animation that seeks only to soften. It's OK to leave behind from time to time 3D animation and see films like this, but perhaps it is too sweet and completely aimed at smaller and no more. The original story is even reminiscent of another Disney classic. Recommended for children, not more.

It is simply a massive idea condensed into a threadless mash of stupid. 2 points for some nice backdrops & colour, but overall the most disappointing thing I have seen in a long while.

Maybe its just me, but I honestly found this movie BORING and even sadder a SOULLESS carbon copy of every other studio Ghibli production. I hate to say this but Miyazaki has been on a slippy slope over the last few years, maybe he doesnt have the passion or the enthusiam as he did during the Totoro, Nausicaa or even Mononoke days. Its just the same protagonist, same plot, same style, same character faces, same pallett, same enchanting creature that teaches us all a lesson about nature vs human....do u see where Im going with this?? The first few minutes in the underwater lab was amazingly creative, however as soon as ponyo surfaced, it seems the fantasy and magic was left DEEP, DEEP on the Ocean floor. Im getting sick of these....drum roll please..."MIYAZAKI EVENT MOVIES"!!! Ill think twice about seeing his next production....About a "sad and lonely girl who finds a magical comet named 'KOMO' after it was hit by evil space junk. They learn how to care for each and cute 'Komo' slowly begins to become a human and the lonely girl becomes brave thanks to the Moon spirit...'Moono'. YAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!… Expand