Ponyo

So tonight I went to see Ponyo with some friends. I nominate Ponyo for the Cutest Movie Ever Award. I smiled throughout the entire thing. How cheerful!

I guess I'll give another spoiler alert. I'm not giving away the ending or anything, but I will tell you my reaction to it.

Ponyo is the newly released film by Hayao Miyazaki, the great maker of anime, Studio Ghibli and Disney. It is about the fish/daughter, Brunhilde (MCKA Ponyo, played by Noah Cyrus) of a creepy, human-hating wizard dad, Fujimoto (Liam Neeson, the first role he's had where he's creeped me out) and the big, bold and beautiful goddess of the sea (Cate Blanchett). Ponyo has been given magic by her creepo father, who I think regrets his decision when Ponyo swims away. He's very protective of his children, to the point of being overprotective. Anyway, Ponyo gets trapped in a jar, and is found by Sosuke (voiced by the bonus Jonas. I forget his real name), who brings her to school in a bucket. His mom, Lisa (Tina Fey), works next door with old women. Ponyo likes ham and spits water at people she doesn't like. Betty White plays one of the old women. I love Betty White.

Anyway, Ponyo the goldfish is taken back to sea by Creepy Liam Neeson and his "meh"ing carps, where she tries to turn into a human. She initially makes a really creepy human, until she finds the elixer and the well (which aren't explained very well), and turns into a magical human, which upsets the balance of nature, and things go crazy. The moon gets closer, theres a tsunami of giant carp, there's a massive flood because of the moon being so close and ancient extinct sea creatures are out and about.

Despite all the drama (and reckless driving by Lisa, who decides it's a good idea to try to beat the tsunami in her car with her 5-year-old son), there isn't much danger in the movie. The scariest part is them walking through a tunnel. And the tsunami and everything, but you know it'll turn out okay, because it's Ponyo controlling the tsunami. There's not much plot either. It's a really cute movie, and I usually enjoy plotless movies just as much as plotted movies, but if you need something to anticipate, this isn't for you.

The psuedo-antagonist that's present in every Miyazaki movie isn't really even an antagonist at all. He's just a worried dad. Who needs to wear less makeup/get healthy and stop spritzing when he walks on land, and stop asking 5 year old boys to come with him. Stranger Danger!

Here's a picture of Ponyo's parents together, and a close up of her Dad. He is creepy, she is large.

BTW, the chickens have started laying! There were 2 eggs today! Yay! Free eggs!