Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Rare animation you won't find from Disney
My Neighbor Totoro (Tonari no Totoro as I'm familiar with) was such a satisfying, delightful movie that I recommended it to my parents and other friends. Thought anime was going in a wrong direction? Watch a Miyazaki film. When I rented it, my parents told me I'm not for kid movies anymore, but a Hayao Miyazaki film is for everyone. I recommend it to anyone who just wants to watch an excellent film, more or less a little masterpiece in its own way.At first, watching the opening few scenes got me thinking that it was going to be a movie strictly aimed towards children, but as the movie progressed, I found it to be touching and full of delight. Unlike Disney movies, there are no lyrical songs needed to give light to the story or to lengthen the plot. Also, the movie is just a simple plot about two young girls who befriend a spirit of the forest, Totoro, after moving into a new house. The story won't stumble or lose the viewer because My Neighbor Totoro is a tangible dance all the way. The characters are colorful, charming, and most of all, imaginative. You'll be entranced when you see Totoro and his buddies, especially that awesome 12-legged cat bus. Everything in this movie brings out the wonder of enchantment and belief. You can't enjoy an animated picture without the eye-candy. Miyazaki's trademark use of beautiful vibrant colors are all here. It's just nice to look at. The music adds much, too. The film was scored by Joe Hisiashi, who pretty much scored all of Miyazaki's works. This is one admirable soundtrack. The Totoro theme song will surely get you boppin. From beginning to end, Totoro is a well-made animated picture that will make you thank yourself you saw a Miyazaki film. This is visual imagination that is Disney-caliber and more. If you're a parent try to pick this one up because your kids could fall in love with it; everyone in-between will enjoy it as well. Savor every moment... it's such a satisfying film to watch. Kid movies rock.
Rating: - The best Anime ever alongside "Akira"
This is the best Anime that I ever saw! Everything about this movie is awesome! The characters are lovable. The colors are beautiful. This movie kind of reminded me of "Princess Mononoke", I mean the whole thing about forest spirits, just kind of sparked up in my mind. Anyway, parents, if you are SICK and TIRED of hearing about Pokemon and Digimon and Power Rangers and want your kids to be exposed to something nice and cute, then I really recommend you pick up "My Neighbor Totoro". Its rated G, the only thing offensive (its not really offensive but it might offend some parents) is the daughters are taking a bath with their father but the majority of their body parts are covered in suds, so it's not too bad for kids. There's some scariness but its just whenever King Totoro roars. Anyway, check this movie out. As you can read in the other reviews the DVD is very lackluster. I will only be picking it up to last me until Disney releases a very nice Special Edition hopefully with a WIDESCREEN presentation. In case you're wondering why I'm reviewing this in the Video section is because I viewed it for the first time on video just a couple of hours ago. Well anyway, toodles!
Rating: - You'll Forget It's Animation . . .
Amazing and beautiful, what a treat. I came across this by sheer accident and my was introduced to a world of animation that I never knew existed. I feel kinda stupid gushing so, but this movie has such a great story, with weird, fascinating Japanese spirits and characters, gorgeous and lush animation and if all that wasn't enough, it gives great insight into Japanese rural lifestyle and culture, from a intimate look at country house, to food, to the Japanese family bath, this movie has got it all. The story is about two young girls whose mother is in the hospital with a serious illness that prevents her from being home with her daughters. The father and the girls move to the country at the start of the picture. At their new (older) house, they discover spirits or dust sprites (cute,small, black and round) living upstairs and with the help of an elderly neighbor (who is kind of scary looking at first, but after seeing a few of these Japanese animated movies, we've gotten used to and even appreciate the accurate depiction of the wrinkly old faces complete with a large mole or two) they learn a bit about spirits. These spirits come in all shapes and sizes and eventually befriend the girls and assist them when a small family crisis occurs. A wonderful, refreshing look at family life, a great movie for everyone.
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