Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (2008)
Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (2008) 8/10
Highly entertaining and whimsical animated film by Japanese master Hayao Miyazaki is a refreshing take on the classic Little Mermaid tale transposed into a beautifully hand-drawn vista. It shares a similar environmentally conscious message with Wall-E, the other major animated film of 2008. But beyond that, both films could not be more different. Ponyo is drawn in classic style without the CGI poweress of Wall-E, but is imbued with Miyazaki’s attention to detail and imaginative flair. The story is lightweight and relatively unimportant. What stands out from Ponyo, is the mood and feel of a fantastical, magical world crafted by Miyazaki. While Ponyo isn’t quite as good as the best Miyazaki works like Spirited Away, it is still a beautifully crafted fairy tale set in a world where nobody dies in a tsunami, and even nature at its most malevolent feels like an impish kid rather than a dark force. For a tale that is almost timeless, Ponyo shows that a good story can be told without needing to use the most expensive CGI possible. As much as i am a fan of Pixar’s successes, i have to say a part of me really likes the old school hand drawn animated style used by Miyazaki, which may not be as visually impressive, but contains alot of heart, love and imagination. Ponyo is one of the best films of 2008.
