Apple's got a new English trailer for Miyazaki's upcoming Ponyo, which now has a theatrical release date set for August 14th:

http://www.apple.com/trailers/disney/ponyo/

I'm greatly looking forward to it.  I know there are some folks here (like Crystal, for example) who planned to see the original Japanese release last year.  What did you think of it?  How would you stack it up against Miyazaki's other films?  Are you planning on seeing the new localized version as well?  (Or instead?)

Saw the trailer, it looks great.  Not a fan of dubs in general but the Ghibli films are usually done okay.  I was afraid the movie was going to be a little on the childish side given the content and the story but the trailer makes it seem a little more adult, I guess.  We'll see.  Movie comes out on DVD/Blu-ray in Japan on 7/3 so I'll grab one of those less-than-kosher fansubs someone will inevitably do.

I saw it when it came out in theaters.  It's very much a throwback to Totoro.  You've got a semi-single parent and child relationship as in Totoro and the Sosuke-Ponyo relationship reminds me a lot of the Satsuki-Mei relationship in Totoro, though with a childhood affection twist, which Miyazaki implements with as much charm as you would expect (a lot).  Both movies share the same sense of innocence, and they're both just cute - really, really cute.

As with most of Miyazaki's movies (especially his recent ones) the film gets pretty bizarre around the end and I've still not decided whether it's because the man's ideas are ingenious or just weird.  (Or maybe I just couldn't catch everything in a single viewing in Japanese.)

I wouldn't expect it to win over any converts but for fans of the older, simpler Studio Ghibli films it's definitely worth a watch.  I'm not especially keen to see it again but maybe that's because it was so ridiculously hyped here, especially that theme song (for which it'll be interesting to hear what they do for the English version).

I've only seen three of his films to date, but I definitely get this same impression. There seems to be a point where events and behaviors start running to a rhythm I can't follow or feel like I'm missing the significance of. It's still pleasant to watch, but it takes a lot away when I can't figure out why say, a time portal suddenly materializes in a pile of wreckage, or what a transmogrified two-ton baby brings to the story.

I'll probably do the same thing as jb, watch a fansub then go see it dubbed in the theatre.  I've seen a number of the japanese teaser trailers, but the english one was like wtf? to me.  Oh well, Ghibli movies tend to be weird anyways but I don't mind.

Awesome.  Can't wait to see it in the theatres (and the eventual blu-ray release)!!

I saw it already.
It's a really cute kids film, similar to Totoro or Kiki.
So yes, it's worth seeing.  Hope that the American dub is ok.

Though, in the US-dub of Spirited Away, there was this need to add more dialogue.
Example was when Haku was taking Sen to see her pig parents.
As they pass through the flowers, he said "Never come here without me."  In the J-Version, there was none.
I didn't think that US line was necessary/effective.

As with most Miyazaki-related Ghibli movies, strange and weird things do happen, like Adam said, things that you can't pick up on the first watching.

These interesting happenings make these films more complex than regular American Saturday morning cartoons.

One of the best parts for me was the end credits and yes I do love that theme song.

AICN's Capone has an interview up with Miyazaki from Comic-Con:

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/41918

Good read.  More and more I'm looking forward to the film!

Saw it last night. LOVED IT. OH MY GOSH I LOVED IT!

In terms of kid-friendly Miyazaki films, in my mind there are only three that really young kids should watch. Totoro, Kiki, and now this. Some might say Porco Rosso, Spirited Away, and Howl's Moving Castle fit the bill, but I'd say you really shouldn't watch those until you're 7 or 8. A 4-year-old, however, could handle Kiki, Totoro, and Ponyo.

And among that trio of "super-kid-friendly" Miyazaki films, Ponyo is out-and-out the best of them. It has the best music, the best visuals, and the best story (with Totoro as a close second on story). But suffice to say, I super-duper loved this movie. Some things I noticed:

1) the use of "transitional forms" that was done really well in Howl's Moving Castle is back. You'll remember the female protagonist started young, but was cursed to become old. Then, at different times in the movie, sometimes for different reasons, she would have young skin and speak young but have gray hair. She had like, four different forms in sum. Ponyo is the same way, sometimes going back and forth between human hands/feet and chicken hands/feet. And then of course there's her fish form, and she also changes size.

2) Many of our cherished fantasy novels have some tie-in, usually via metaphor, to religion: either Abrahamic (Judeo/Christian) or Eastern (Hindu/Buddhist). This story is one of the first I've seen that does MAGIC and FANTASY really well, allowing tons of crazy supernatural stuff, but still clearly espouses a "naturalist" evolutionary philosophy. And though I'm a Christian, I can most definitely appreciate what was done here.

3) The only thing I didn't like was the climax/resolution. If I understand correctly (SPOILER ALERT!), the deal is that if Sosuke didn't choose to love and accept Ponyo for who she is, she would turn into seafoam and die ... and the whole world would also be destroyed by the moon coming too close to earth. But it's not like Sosuke has to wrestle with the decision. He would've said, and meant, the same thing about Ponyo after the half hour mark. The rest of the adventures they go on don't necessarily strengthen the bond. They're children and they think the world of each other; but "growth" in their relationship doesn't seem to affect anything, nor is there ever any conflict in their relationship. Again, I'm acknowledging that they're children and this is a children's film, but I never once felt like there was any risk or difficulty in Sosuke making the right decision.

Anyone else want to weigh in?

Ramza

An unexpected flu that's kicking my ass halfway around the world has forced me to miss both Ponyo and District 9 this weekend.  Having to take time off from work is bad enough, but missing a must-see movie's opening weekend?  Me?  It's sacrilege, I tell ya.

How did the voice dub work turn out for Ponyo?

There are *a few* awkward moments from young Jonas and Cyrus children. But it's really not that bad. And there are plenty of cute moments to outweigh the bad. Like when Ponyo yells "HAM!" ... it's awesome.

I look forward to this film.
My favorite films by SG are Spirited Away and Moving Castle, both of which are great! I also like Princess M., although not as much as SA and HMC. Anyway, I'm sure this movie will at least be entertaining, and far better than most things that pop out of Hollywood...

cheers,

-avatar!

Here's my one word review for this movie:

HAM!

Man, you and my little girl.  She threw up like 7 times yesterday.

My sympathies; she definitely beat my two upchucks on Saturday night.  Hope she gets better soon.

So did you guys hear that pop version of the Ponyo song?
Was this played in the end credits?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sksk_U7_-N0

I can't believe Hisaishi would allow this song to be mutilated like that.
If this was played during the end credits, I feel sorry for you.
They should just have left it as an original version minus the vocals.
That would have worked fine.

When I saw the film they played about half of the original song and then transitioned into the remix. Personally, I don't mind the remix, but I thought it was unnecessary and didn't fit with the film or its score. Leave it to Hollywood to feel like they have to remix (change) everything. Even if just a little bit. >.<

When you mention minus the vocals, do you mean the English ones? I thought that the English lyrics actually turned out pretty well considering how hard it is to translate song lyrics. I just wish they had left it at that and not remixed the song. XD

Like other poster said, we got original version (English) as well as remix during end credits.

And oh my, you should feel SO sorry for us! It just ruined the whole experience, having Disney throw on a tacky remix during the end credits.

/sarcasm

I very quickly tire of people who bash Disney for the dub and the small changes they add (like the remix). No, they don't know what they're doing, and the original experience is better, but it's not like it kills the experience. And I doubt Hisaishi gives two shits that the song was "mutilated." It's not like the original Japanese vocal piece is some sort of masterpiece. It's just a cute little children's tune.

They didn't write the remix at the end of the credits for adults, it's remixed for kids, and it works very well.  I don't really think Hisaishi cares, but even if he does the original song is terrible and the girl and boys singing from the Japanese version are borderline unbearable.

Actually I think it's a girl and an adult man singing, that's what the CD cover and producer comments imply as I recall.

And I agree that the song is certainly no masterpiece in the first place.  It was a phenomenon here in Japan just because 1) It's Ghibli.  2) It's "kawaii".  3) It's cheeky, and Japanese tend to go for that sort of stuff.

I also recall reading that the style and amateurish performances in the song were more Miyazaki's idea than Hisaishi's.

The goal was to write a simple song in the vein of those found in Totoro which could be sung by fathers and their daughters. I actually rather like the song itself and think it works great as a main theme in the score.

Also, the song's male singers were Fujioka Fujimaki. I'm not too familiar with the name, but apparently it's a famous duo comprised of Takaaki Fujioka and Naoya Fujimaki. If I remember correctly, they also performed one or two other songs on the Ponyo image album.

Saw the film, really enjoyed it. I didn't go ga-ga over it like some of the critics did, nor do I think it was on the same plane as Spirited Away or Howl's Moving Castle, but then again I think it was meant for a younger audience. I did have a few questions:

1)are the Japanese waters really *that* dirty? Then again, I know that the waters in many parts of the US are filthy... so sadly this likely a global phenomenon.

2)I didn't quite understand why Ponyo turning into a girl upset the balance in nature? And why the Moon crashing into the Earth (was it going to crash, or just get closer)? Majora's Mask, FFVII, Ponyo... are the Japanese Moon obsessed? I'm guessing there's cultural significance. I do of course realize how important the Moon is to tides, but the notion of the Moon getting closer and drowning the entire planet is completely bogus... but eh, this of course is a kid's film filled with magic

3)So, the test they had to pass... was it just a simple question? I guess I was expecting more...

4)Why exactly did extinct fish suddenly come back to life?

5)Did anyone else notice a scene which I am almost certain is a homage to Fantasia? I thought that was brilliant.

In terms of animated films dealing with fish, my favorite is definitely The Little Mermaid! I would call that a nearly flawless film... but Ponyo was very entertaining as well. Music-wise Ponyo was nice, but nothing that made me take notice in particular. On the other hand, I loved the animation!

Speaking of animation, why does Disney no longer make true animated films like The Little Mermaid? I personally think computer animated films do not even come close... so yeah, it was a joy to watch this film

cheers,

-avatar!

That wasn't the moon in FFVII though...

You don't know about The Princess and the Frog?

I was about to say, if you saw Ponyo in theatres, then surely you saw the trailer for Princess and the Frog. I'm psyched about it.

I saw Ponyo last week, and I'll be the first to admit that I'm not much of a Miyazaki fan, but man was this awful.  The animation, art, and Tina Fey's voice were all great.  Pretty much everything else sucked.  The half-baked story went nowhere.  It's like they couldn't even bother to complete the rip-off of The Little Mermaid that they started.  And even the usually reliable Joe Hisaishi disappoints with music that that sounded like a generic rip-off of Wagner.  Definitely the worst movie I've seen in theaters this year.

I still need to check out Ponyo.  The trouble is, theaters around where I live have been a lot more selective in playing it than I thought.   And here I was thinking with this being Miyazaki's most widely open film, I'd have no problems.

Wow, first truly negative reaction to the film I've heard!
I have to admit, Ponyo was no where near the same level as the Little Mermaid, but I still thought it was very entertaining. I really do think it was meant for kids, but I actually thought it was much better than the vast majority of movies that have hit the movie theater, but you know it all comes down to personal opinion. I do agree the music was forgettable, and story did seem unfinished in some respects, but overall it was entertaining. I enjoyed it, sorry you didn't, but I respect your opinion.

cheers,

-avatar!

I definitely heard some Wagner influences too. I'm not so sure I'd say it was a generic rip-off though. The score had some great, memorable themes and I thought the orchestration (including choir) came out really well. However, it did take a little time to grow on me and I still prefer the scores to Laputa and Spirited Away. I'd say Ponyo comes in at a solid 3rd place though.

Speaking of which, I think it's time to listen to the image album again.

The wife and I saw it this weekend (babysitters FTW!) and while I liked it, I didn't love it.  There were a bunch scenes that made me smile alot (the morse code with dad, Ponyo falling asleep while eating, the old women actually running) but it always felt like something was missing.  The ending could have been alot better (what was with the abrupt ending?) but overall I was satisfied.  Tina Fey did do a great job, as did the kid (one of the Jonas brothers?). 

I really want to try some of those noodles!

Not once in the Little Mermaid does a character smile and yell "HAM!"

Or "TEETH!"

Ponyo has risen to new heights!

Further proof:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLqUPwErz8Q

Ponyo's On A Boat. Watch it.

YouTube pulled the vid. :-(

Blu-ray.com's got their review up.  Looking forward to finally seeing the film next week!

I saw this news! It's about time I start rockin' Miyazaki on blu-ray.

In a way, I'm glad I've held out this long to see Ponyo so that I can experience it in high-def.  (There was no way in hell any of my local theaters were going to feature this in digital cinema.)  Blu's image bleeds beauty, and the English DTS-HD MA track is a treat to the ears.

I'm more or less riding on the same wave of opinions as everyone else.  It's an indelibly adorable children-friendly film, blessed with trademark Miyazaki artistry, stunning animation, and a terrifically-cast voice dub..... but also weighed down by a dubious plot build-up and lack of strong resolutions.  There's little in the way of a sense of urgency, no rhyme or reason as to what's exactly at stake for the central plot.  When it comes to "the test", it's as Ramza said: was there really any doubt as to what Sosuke's decision was going to be?  The relationship between Lisa and Sosuke's father was handled a bit lazily too; I kept thinking that they could've linked this in some thematically interesting way with Ponyo's own parents, but alas.

Ignoring the pitfalls of the overall story, there are plenty of smaller character moments that ultimately makes the film a joy to watch.  Lisa's erratic driving habits, the Morse code bit, life at the senior center, Ponyo's discovery of everyday things such as light, fire, hot tea, and ramen.  (And ham, natch.)  One other thing that struck me: for a movie that's constantly compared to The Little Mermaid, not once has said fairytale or movie crossed my mind as being a source of inspiration.  Maybe it's because the lead roles of children and their friendship with one another are so far apart from the usual love story between mermaid and prince as to easily push away that association.

And, it's looking like I'm in the minority here, but I absolutely LOVED the music.  With Gake no ue no Ponyo's playful, infectious melody underlying a breezily orchestrated (but nonetheless affecting) score, this may end up being one of my most favorite Hisaishi works ever.