My Neighbor Totoro
|
Our Price: $64.95 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $29.99 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Canada
Movie Reviews of My Neighbor Totoro
Movie Review: the finest family movie to ever come out of Japan
Summary: 5 Stars
Master filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki has created a delightful work of sheer beauty in My Neighbor Totoro. The story centers around two girls who move into the countryside with their father. Their mother is in the hospital, and when she seems to be getting better, she has a relapse. An urgent telegram is sent to the house, where it is read by Satsuki (the older sister). Neither child knows how to react to this; Mei runs away, and it is up to Satsuki and the Totoro of the forest to find her.I first saw this movie when the original Fox VHS came out (I was about 5 at that point, and got it as a Christmas present), and continue to be enchanted by it today. As soon as I heard that it was being released on DVD, I ordered a copy, but alas, I should have waited.
To those of you who have the VHS and are considering the DVD, and even to those who have the Fox DVD, I strongly reccomend ordering a copy of the Disney/Studio Ghibly version. It is true that dubbing a movie can do tremendious injustice to a foreign film, and the Japanese language track is a feature that should have been included on the Fox release. Also note that the second disk will be packed with features, including storyboard drawings, cast interviews, and a myriad of other interesting morsels.
Movie Review: A Miyazaki classic!
Summary: 5 Stars
Somewhere in the countryside two sisters (voiced by Dakota and Elle Fanning) with their father have just moved to a house closer to the hospital where their sick mother is. The little sister Mei discovers nearby the house a large tree that contains special creatures called "Totoros" whom are friendly monsters that kids can see and grown-ups can't, the two girls have many adventures with the Totoros and are shown the way of life.
A neat and wonderful animated Japanese fantasy from master animator Hayao Miyazaki with a nifty ecological theme and excellent animation to it. It's one of those animated movies that have the power to appeal to both children and adults alike, this movie was originally brought here to the U.S. by Troma in a dubbed version but now Disney has bought the rights into a brand new dub featuring the voices of Elle and Dakota Fanning, Tim Daley and Pat Carrol.
This 2-Disc set has sharp picture and sound quality with both the new English dub and the original Japanese language version with subtitles for the first time in America! there's some decent extras like a "Behind The Microphone Featurette", Trailers, a full length storyboard presentation of the film and TV Spots.
A must have for the animation lover!
Movie Review: Wonderful movie
Summary: 5 Stars
Miyazaki is simply brilliant and it shows in his works. This movie exudes charm and can be enjoyed but anyone.If you're not familiar with Studio Ghibli, or Hayao Miyazaki, collectively, they are responsible for a large number of blockbuster Japanese animation films. Studio Ghibli's movies are only beginning to gain a presence in the North American market, in spite of the fact that they have been released years ago. Many have been influenced by these movies including John Lasseter, director of Pixar's A Bug's Life and the Toy Story series. He calls Miyazaki's works as being "the most inspirational films".
This movie is about a father and his two daughters who have moved into a new house located in a rural village. While the mother is in the hospital, the two girls begin to explore the surroundings of their new dwelling. In one unexpected chance, Mei discovers a Totoro. Without spoiling too much, the film explores the encounter and their subsequent meetings.
Although the plot does not seem overly complex, it needn't be. It takes a simple plot and still manages to capture your interest.
Intertwined with a great soundtrack, this movie is for anyone. I would greatly encourage anyone to delve into the Studio Ghibli world of animation.
Movie Review: Anime "purists" are snobs
Summary: 5 Stars
My 15 year old son has been an anime fan since he was small. I always thought that it was kind of cute but slightly annoying. As a huge fan of Turner Classic Movies, I saw there was to be a month of Miyazaki movies run. I wasn't the least bit interested. The night that "My Neighbor Totorro" was coming on, I just happened to have the t.v. on. First, I heard the introduction by TCM host Ben Mankowitz (nephew of director Joseph L. Mankowitz). I became intrigued and left the t.v. on. My 11 year old son wandered into the room and sat down. I sat down, followed by my 15 year old son and my ex-husband who happened to be visiting rounded out the group. We were enchanted!! After that we watched all the Miyazaki films for the rest of the month. Since then, we have seen the previous English dubbed version and I didn't like it as much. The Disney "Americanized" versions of Miyazaki's films may disgust anime purists but they open up the whole world of Miyazaki to people that otherwise might never give these films a second glance simply because they are "foreign and strange". I think this reason alone would thrill Miyazaki!! Bravo to Turner Classic Movies for sharing a new genre with us!! Anime "purists" need to lighten up a little!!!Movie Review: Pure Magic for Kids and Parents- Satsuki's a good sister!
Summary: 5 Stars
As an exchange student to Japan, I saw Totoro in Japanese years ago and loved it. When I had this chance to buy the DVD for my girls (ages 2 and 4), I didn't hesitate. It is one of those shows that children adore. My husband and I enjoy sitting next to them and being a part of the magic. (You can't say that about all children's movies...) My girls aren't big movie watchers- the four-year old deems most Disney movies to be too scary to watch. But Totoro is different. They love watching Mei land on Totoro's chest, and the cat bus is fantastic. They also march around the room during the part where the girls try to get the acorns to sprout. Although we were concerned about it, it doesn't bother them one bit that Satsuki and Mei's mom is in the hospital for the entire movie. Another neat part about the show from a parent's point of view: older sister Satsuki takes care of little Mei and her Daddy during the movie- she makes lunches for the family and holds Mei at the bus stop. After we watch the show, my older daughter always wants to "be like Satsuki" by helping out around the house and fussing over her little sister. We've bought it several times as a present.