Ponyo is sweet, elegant, and innocent. With probably the best animation in Miyazaki's career. Ponyo has so much heart and a rich story. You have to think who would hate it. I give this movie 94%.

Somehow, the word "charming" just doesn't say it. Unbearably cute and sweet, but also deeply beautiful at times. And, interestingly enough, while watching this I stumbled upon some of the most subtle, unexpected and delightfully out-of-place humor that I've ever had the pleasure of encountering in all my years of watching movies. And that factor of surprise makes these slipped in little jokes all the more funny. I would even go so far as to say that there are some moments in Ponyo that are hilarious. Also, one thing I love about Hayao Miyazaki is that, no matter how unrealistic or fantastic his stories get, he never explains any of it. None of the fable-like creatures or enchanted play lands are rationalized or given credibility. They simply exist, and I find that wonderful. I'm glad that he approaches his animation that way, and I'm glad that he made no exception in Ponyo. It's kind. It's warm. And it is a treasure.… Expand

Our family, mom, dad and three little girls (7,4, and 2) went to see this in the theater and loved it! Since then, my husband downloaded the Japanese language subtitled version and we have probably watched it at least a dozen times again and my kids sit through the ENTIRE thing enthralled. AND, we as parents actually enjoy sitting through it time after time. I think we like the subtitled version even more than the English version. It is really thought provoking for adults. I find myself thinking about its subtle messages during the day. My girls are drawn to it as well because the characters are funny and cute - but it's more than that - there is a magical quality that is missing from most kids movies today that it possesses. Go see it and give it a chance!… Expand

A simply delightful and charming film. I'm a late-comer to Miyazaki's magic and I'll admit that his work took a little getting used to, especially the fluid nature of some of his characters, such as the Great Forest Spirit in 'Princess Mononoke, but once I was able to let go and ride with the story I was hooked. I've seen 'Ponyo' 6 times at the theatre and by far the largest proportion of the audience were in their young twenties, followed by older adults and the smallest segment were young children, and the majority of them seemed slightly more than amused. In my opinion, this movie really is aimed at the adults who remember the magical world of the young, the intensity of friendship and are well aware of our impact on this planet. 'Ponyo' is another treasure from studio ghibli.… Collapse

Pretty good - but do be aware Ponyo is aimed at a somewhat younger audience than previous Miyazaki opuses. I would say it is aimed at 7-8 year olds, where as Spirited Away or Howl's Moving Castle were probably more suitable for 12-15 year olds. But, as might be expected from this stellar animation genius, some of the sequences are still absolutely magical in the atmosphere they invoke. The storm sequence where Ponyo rides the waves, and the underwater sequences generally are as good as anything you will see. And the supporting characters in the old folk's home are beautifully realised, and there is a lot of emotional resonance and family sentiment. But it is nevertheless pretty slow, with a simple story, and it is primarily designed to be cute and engaging for little kids. So all credit to Miyazaki, who hasn't fallen into the Pixar/Dreamworks/Disney trap of continually ramping up the scale and graphics and humour to capture every demographic and maximise the financial returns. Definitely worth seeing, but a gentle delight, rather than a blockbuster. Little kids will still be loving this movie in 50 years, long after most of the contemprary cartoons have faded away.… Expand

I knew Disney was going to ruin this film by having voice actors that are related to those who we want to forget (e.g. Miley Cirus and the Jonas Brothers, I really hate these four idiotic dopes). Miyazaki, what were you thinking? Do you know that Disney is horrible now? Other than that, Ponyo is an okay film.

A really cute, humble film with a wonderful color palette.

Fantastic. A new great film for kids. Just as magical as Totoro.

Another classic by the greatest film-maker on the planet. Best the film of 09.

I think that this is one of the best films of the summer. I also think that Noah Cyrus and Frankie Jonus were fantastic and Miaszaki was awesome!

I'm a pretty big Miyazaki fan so maybe I'm biased, but I had a huge grin on my face the whole time I watched it and enjoyed every moment of it.

Miyazaki once again proves that he's not just "the Japanese Walt Disney," he's the one and only true heir to the Disney crown: THE pre-eminent animator of the 21st Century. "Ponyo (On a Cliff By the Sea)" is easily a masterpiece. The story is very loosely based on (Hans Christian Andersen's) The Little Mermaid, but unlike the Disney (Corp.) semi-animated abomination of that name, Ponyo is never predictable, always light, exotic, stimulating, romantic, touching and breathtakingly beautiful. North Americans not familiar with Miyazaki's unique approach may find the story disconcerting at first. I hope that many will persevere, and allow Ponyo to forever raise their expectations of what animated features should be.… Expand

Do not believe the hype on this movie. It is a terrible, ugly, boring work by someone coasting on reputation. I give this movie 6 yawns.

A great disappointment from Ghibli. Ponyo seems to pander to younger, dumber audiences. The film looks promising, but if you've seen the trailer you've seen the whole movie. It has a serious lack of depth, both in plot and message. It was surprising compared to his other masterpieces, in its score (whose final song featuring the disney teeney boppers rapping,) its plot, and even its overall message. The only positive side of this film is the artwork.… Expand

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

I love the directors previous films, but I have a problem with his repetitive work. Also, it had a poorly chosen English voice cast that doesn't compare to the Japanese version. Sadly, Ponyo didn't feel as fresh as Howl's Moving Castle or Spirited away, instead it felt like a spin off of Totoro.

I have always loved Miyazaki films and I was slightly hesitant going into "Ponyo". What I came out with was a euphoria beyond words. This movie represents all that is great in a masterpiece. Perfect characters are only followed by perfect dubbing and animation... not to mention the beautiful music that made it all come together. Let's be honest... there are a lot of crap movies coming out these days (Transformers 2, every "horror movie", every "spoof/mockumentary"), but it is films like "Ponyo" that make one believe in movies and humanity all over again. Love and possibility linger after this experience.… Expand

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

One of the most magical films you will ever see.

A masterful work of art done my a master artist.

My husband and I walked into the theatre prepared to love this and did something we almost ever do: left after 45 minutes. We were bored. In spite of the reviews, there did not seem anything new or even special about this film.

Visually beautiful, light on story, and about as adorable as kittens in a basket. Ponyo is great for kids and rewarding for anyone looking for a fantasy land unlike anything you have ever seen. Expect to be cramped from smiling too much.

Hayao Miyazaki the director of ponyo has created his most kiddish movie yet. I am a big fan of Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle when I heard that the same director was making a film and it was coming to my theater I wanted to see it once it was friday. Well I failed I saw it on Sunday but I still saw it. I was a little upset but still a good film I wasn't expecting it to be so childish. But it still gave me laughs more chuckles though. To add on to that I think they picked the perfect cast for the movie. Tina Fey was a superb decision. Overall I think it's worth the cash.… Expand

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!

A weaker Miyazaki film that suffers from too light narrative reasoning, and an ending that I found to make little sense or emotional impact. But the journey, visuals and characters are amazing and extraordinarily lovable. I just wish more and exciting things had happened with them.

The government isn't after the fish. This almost Henry Darger-like mermaid(because all the fish are curiously female) poses no threat to national security. Nobody wants to dissect this Vivian siren. That's the cliche of most American movies whenever there's a non-human creature on the loose. For instance, Ron Howard's "Splash", in which authorities track down the otherworldly entity with the intent to kill. "Ponyo" gets around this banality by making the mermaid's pursuer a benevolent one. As a result, the film is lacking in suspense, which may put off a western audience, largely used to shopworn tropes such as FBI agents in black coats and shades, and a chase of some sort. Starting with the mother, the incongruous sight of a fish equipped with a human girl's face, never alarms like it would, or should, in most filmic cases. If the fish-face did, Ponyo's notoriety would eventually get the law's attention with predictable results. Sophisticated as all Pixar films are, the collected works of this filmmaker truly diverges from animation's preordained roots as strictly a children's genre. "Ponyo" distinguishes itself through its naturalistic domestic scenes, which are virtually indistinguishable from the human interaction you'd find in a live-action film. A good deal of time is spent on establishing the relationships within a family unit, which may some find boring, as the mother tends to her son and his new playmate with great deliberation. The bar is raised, quietly, as these seemingly uneventful moments that establish character are more exciting than the gorgeous depictions of the girl's underwater world, and the subsequent hurricane above, because such lifelike simulacrum helps make the case for animation as being the equal of your so-called "serious" films. (NOTE: Dubbing is a necessary evil to attract larger audiences, but some of the dialogue, notably towards the end, is truly hideous.)… Expand

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.

Is this a simple film? Yes it is. Does that mean that it can't be charming and engaging? No! Miyazaki does a great job portraying a story that everyone can understand. It is a fun film that everyone can enjoy. You don't compare his films one with another, it just isn't right. Each one is a separate thing. Just enjoy his story telling mastery, and watch it in Japanese if possible. The english voice actors don't do it justice. I could not stop watching and had fun the entire movie. Don't let the idiots who can't understand films like this discourage you from seeing a good movie in this day and age. Make the effort to support film makers of Miyazaki's caliber. :D… Expand

This was a ridiculously cute movie, and I loved the use of what looked like colored pencil backgrounds. There is an incredible amount of movement going on in every frame. It still doesn

This movie has a quality rarely seen in children's films. It is delightfully slow paced, so that every beautiful scene stays for longer than it would in an ordinary movie. Some say that this made the film "boring," but I disagree wholeheartedly. It is when nothing is happening that this movie truly shines. In an industry crowded with explosions and non-stop action, Ponyo provides a truly wonderful chance to stop and pay attention to the little things that really matter. The scene with Sosuke manning the signal light is one of the best in recent memory. The characters are also a delight, especially Lisa, Sosuke, and Ponyo. Miyazaki may have made his most convincing cast yet. Lisa acts like a mother, Sosuke acts like a five-year old, and Ponyo acts like a hyperactive fish-girl-thing. For parents of younger children, this movie is a must-see for the family. It is also a wonderful movie for adults who know how to forget about logic and enjoy magic.… Expand

I like Miyazaki films. I do. Not a HUGE fan, but I respect his work. I went into this one expecting another Spirited Away, unfortunately, and I came out disappointed. Perhaps part of it was the Disney re-release. The American music at the end is so terrible and juvenile, it feels too kiddy to be even congruous with the movie. That's off-putting, but what lessens the magic MOST, I9;d say, was the way it felt: dumbed down. There were no edgy, frightening elements, no threatening antagonist you'd expect in Miyazaki's work. There was just cute. Indeed, it was cute. The visuals were stunning, and not in the "in your face" Dreamworks 3D way, either. It makes you laugh, and it holds your attention. It is, however, forgettable and the juvenility becomes discomforting. I realize that this is trying to be more of a kid's movie, and it is successful as a cutesy kid flick, but Miyazaki, I have to say, is better than this.… Expand

A enjoyable movie for young and old. Visually beautiful and and a good story makes its worth going to see.

BEST MOVIE EVER! Great for kids, funny when it has to be. Some parts are almost sad because it is so touching. Of course, has the usual great message from Studio Ghibli about protecting the environment.

I have been a long time fan of Miazaki's work but I must say this was definitely one of his lesser works and therefore I am truly surprised that it was rated higher by critics than princess mononoke and some other of his works. The script went downhill steeply from the beginning to the end and often times left me disgusted or embarrased. Where the movie won though, was the amazing visuals and story. While the visuals were some of Miazaki's best work, the story was often very touching as well as the statements it made. Overall it was a worthwhile experience but I must say that Miazaki should stick to older characters, his origional Japanese language and most definitely avoid working with Disney which ultimately led to the unusually dumbed-down nature of the film. Also, I highly suggest not staying for the credits, as the truly Juvenile English music which plays during the ending credits is excruciatingly nerveracking and out of place.… Expand

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

Superb animation, beautiful art, touching emotional dimension, environmental message without sour bludgeoning like WALL-E. For all ages.

A simple narrative, simply told, leaving room for you to enjoy the many wonderful moments. I thought it was very much like Totoro in that regard and Ponyo has easily become one of my favourite Ghibli films, along with Totoro and Spirited Away.

The most beautiful, lyrical, and humorous passages of Ponyo occur when Ponyo is discovering the human world, and when Ponyo and Sosuke travel to look for Sosuke

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.

Not quite as good as Totoro, but if you and your kids are fans of Miyazaki it's worth seeing.

My brother and I (him 19 and me 22) went to see this one together. Beautiful film, perfect in every way. We laughed through the whole thing. The theatre erupted with the giggles of children every time Ponyo did something silly. Had serious moments as well, I even cried. Not sure why anyone would rate this film low. An instant classic and masterpiece.

This is my favorite film of the summer. Miyazaki creates such a wounderful world where anyone, any age, can enjoy watching.

Extremely creative combination of low- and high-tech animation, combined with great lesson for kids.

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.

Slightly disappointed. A very predictable story, sometimes uncannily unrealistic (Do the old ladies never seem to be unnerved by the fact they are breathing in water..?, or do 5 year old kids really fall in true love..? or what type of mother would leave her 5 year old kid home alone during a storm..?). The movie was challenged with pacing problems, such as the scene with the family on the boat near the middle-end, and Ponyo stops the baby from crying or something, I still haven't figured out why Miyazaki made us watch that. Visual effects weren't as stunning as Spirited Away or Howl's Moving Castle, especially the opening scenes, in which I felt the jellyfish weren't detailed anough and looked flat. However, a nice and fun enough movie for the family, and will at least leave you feeling good. Funny enough at places, and I guess if you love Miyazaki to bits (like me), you should watch this movie just for the sake of it.… Expand

Ponyo is the best Hayao Miyazaki movie I've seen and that is a huge feat as all Miyazaki's movies are incredible stories with so much heart with valuable lessons in the plots. Miyazaki has a gift of capturing the beauty in the world and making kids see the beauty in the most unlikely places. Highly recommended, once you see it you will want to hunt down all his other movies.

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

I still don't know who this movie was aimed at. I am a fan of Miyazaki, I would of said a huge fan before this. The story is weak, which is the last thing I expected. It's not hard to understand, it's just not special. All of Miyazaki's other films are special. This one left me feeling like it was intended for someone younger than me. I took my nephew to see this (he is five) and he wanted too leave because it was boring. My personal feeling is that this film was dumbed too far down. I understand wanting to appeal to young children, (G-rating officially means you are trying to appeal to young children BTW) but if that's your goal, make it so children will love it for something aside from the beautiful artwork, which is the films saving grace if that exists. I'll will give someone a dollar if thier child can perfectly translate this plot to me, and show that they understood it 100%. If they can, then you are a monster because you forced it down thier throats just because you like Miyazaki. All joking aside, this movie is weaker because it doesn't appeal as well to the same group who loved all of Miyazaki's other films (aside from 1% of whom are mouth breathing conformists, who would lick Miyazaki's boots, and say it tastes like a pbj sandwich, who if they have children, are currently trying to contact me for a dollar) and it also doesn't appeal to anyone new very well either. I like Miyazaki, and I would love to see his future films have big american releases, but Ponyo did not cut it for me, and I think the folks that gave this thing a 10, or a 100, are really good at lying to themselves, which is the worst kind of lie.… Expand

A true decent into beauty, this film swirls within the fantastic while keeping a charming and ingenious story with many small laughs and deep character moments. The movie is a visual wonder, dancing in colors and beautiful artwork that belongs in an art museum. Hayao Miyazaki has truely done it again in this true wonder. The films only shortcoming is the length of some of its scenes. It seems a tad stretched out at moments, but the films childlike charms, beautiful artistry, and lighthearted but surprisingly deep and heartfelt plot make that easy to ignore. This movie is a truely charming fantasy that you cannot go without seeing.… Expand

Pretty but not logical and boring. Not up to the creator's usual standard. Story-light.

Amazing movie; poor dubbing. Do yourself a favor and watch it with subtitles.

To make a movie where both adults and children can sit together and smile with the same wonderment is something that Miyazaki has mastered, and "Ponyo" is sure to capture both your heart and your imagination. That being said, this movie is certainly no "My Neighbor Totoro" because simple glee is compromised for a rather confusing and uninvolved plot.

every movie Hayao Miyazaki makes kick a**! this movie is definitely the right movie for kids and adults.

Though it's not Miyazaki's best film, Ponyo is still an enchantingly imaginative film for children of all ages. Pros: Beautifully animated; rich, colorful visuals; thoroughly charming. Cons: It's less rewarding than a Miyazaki film should be.

It's cute and harmless, with colorful visuals and delightful imagery surrounding every frame. On a story level, it's Miyazaki's weakest film, with some flimsy characters and dialogue. But with a track record like Studio Ghibli, it's not something to hold against them.

A spellbinding movie that keeps it's magic throughout its entirety. Even when the movie seems to lag in the middle, the mother's line (played almost perfectly by Tina Fey), "life is mysterious and beautiful" (or something to that effect) picks it right back up. A modern Japanese mystical take on an old classic take, Ponyo will almost make you want to cry in its simple, sheer beauty.

Amazing, the dub in Spanish is good, impressive animation, it is very charming, pretty and funny, A masterpiece by Hayao Miyasaki, I hope he will continue making this kind of movies.

A cute movie and interesting retelling of The Little Mermaid.

A rare, pure movie to watch and a back to form for the studio. Its divided between two worlds, the ocean and land. Its in the ocean that the beauty of the movie lies, its so full of life that you cannot believe that this was hand drawn. There is an ecological agenda, but it is not too over done to shift the focus to it rather than to the fantasy. The western voice casting can be a bit hit and miss, and some parts can be a bit too young for some, but its still very fun and highly recommendable.… Expand

I'm a big fan of Hayao Miyazaki and have seen all his movies. This is one of his more gentle fantasies like "Kiki's Delivery Service" or "My Neighbor Tortoro". I enjoyed the political incorrectness throughout the film (the mother is a horrible driver, plus she leaves her 5 year old alone at home during a monster storm so she can drive to the senior center to check on their safety). The real star of the film, however, is the fantastic drawings and color palettes. This might be his most colorful movie he's made, and when you consider this is drawn and not computer generated some of the scenes are jaw dropping. When you have a lot of fish in a single scene and each one is doing its own thing it must be a nightmare to animate. Some of his movies can be a little preachy about the environment and balance of nature, but this one isn't too bad. I do wish that animators would not use voices that are so distinctive. Liam Neeson and Betty White have such distinctive voices that as soon as the character starts speaking, you immediately think of the actor. I'm sure that was a Disney decision, plus actors want to voice in a Miyazaki film much like actors want to be in a Woody Allen Film because they recognize greatness. This isn't a classic like "Spirited Away", but if you're a Miyazaki fan you will probably enjoy it.… Expand

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This Is My Favorite Studio Ghibli Movie!
The Animation Is Amazing I Love How Cute The Plot Is! A Great Story And Movie For Kids! Watch More Movies Like This And Less About Talking Cars!

I really enjoyed watching this movie. There's no question that it is fun to watch and everything you see is done perfectly. My only complaint was the story. The actual plot line was barely there for me. I KINDA got what was going on but yet didn't fully get how or why things were happening. Also it was kinda weird for me to think a little girl fell in love with a little boy and that there was some kind of romance there. Other than that it was a great movie.

So in a nutshell if you are looking for a movie that will satisfy your need for an in-dept story that will take you on an amazing visual adventure Ponyo will only meet you half way. It's great if you don't really want to think about what your seeing and just want to see cool stuff happen.… Expand

i love Ghibli i really do i love Totoro and Spirited away and Mononoke and all of them but Ponyo just isn't up to standards its too drawn out and the characters were not that likable Ponyo's father could be removed from the movie and with higher expectations for the voice cast this time so that's also disappointing

As far as Miyazaki, I never found the plot of this film to be quite as engaging compared to his other works. Still, it is a great film with amazing visuals and colorful characters.

This is a cute little movie that encapsulates imagination of the ocean and innocence of youth. I suspect Mark Twain would have liked this movie as it has many similarities to Huckleberry Finn.

Just So Cute And Charming! The Best Animated Film Of 2009!