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My Neighbor Totoro (Full Screen Edition) Actors: Noriko Hidaka, Hitoshi Takagi Director: Hayao Miyazaki Number of Items: 1 Picture Format: Pan & Scan Format: Animated, Color Audience Rating: G (General Audience) Running Time: 87 minutes Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Home Video Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Region Code: 1 Product Group: DVD Release Date: 2002-12-03 Buy from Amazon |
 "Fox vs Disney"For years and years I have enjoyed the Fox release of this movie. Now I am excited to see Disney is releasing an improved version of Miyazaki's classic with restored visuals, letterbox and the original japanese soundtrack (as well as new dubs even though the old ones weren't bad). It's sad that Disney took so long to start releasing Miyazaki's movies here in North America but now that they have finally started to fulfill their contract the results have been amazing. I can't recommend this movie enough to anyone who wants to be entertained in a peaceful and magical way. As you can tell from reading the other reviews here, this movie captivates viewers of all ages. Even my mom, who hates most animated movies, thought that Totoro stood out as a great movie. "Climb Aboard the Big Fuzzy Cat Bus"This is one of my favorite "anime" movies because it is non-violent and has a positive message. The characters are adorable without being saccharine, and the film has just the right amount of suspense and action to keep you rooting for them. For those of you lucky enough to live near a children's museum hosting the traveling exhibit "Jump to Japan," you'll enjoy watching the effortless movement of the iconic characters that you saw life-size. "A Wholesome Tale With Beautiful Art"May is a young girl, who with her family, has moved into a new house. Her mother is in a hospital for an extended stay so May, her older sister and father must make do in the new environment. Right from the start they know things will be different. First there are the fish in the stream. Then the acorns in the house. Then the fuzzy black things that dart into hiding. But most of all there is the giant camphor tree that seems to be the home of a giant furry spirit known as Totoro. May meets Totoro and becomes friends with the powerful creature. Eventually her sister also meets Totoro and some of the other strange things in the area. But things really heat up when May becomes worried about her mother and tries to run off to the hospital. The whole community unites to search for her and eventually her sister appeals to Totoro for help. This is a wonderful and magical tale filled with spectacular animation. Its only real weakness is that some of the translations from the Japanese are a little clumsy. But aside from that this is a wonderful story that can be enjoyed by all ages.  "Zero Stars for this DVD"Since Disney has foolishly decided not to release this DVD, I give it zero stars. "A Wonderful Children's Fantasy...................."This movie is a favorite of my daughter age 2 (who is normally an Elmo addict), and her cousins 6 and 8. It is sweet and simple, creative, enchanting and beautiful. The characters are so lovable. The love between the sisters is so moving and sends such a powerful message. The visualizations are energetic and fun, and the silly voices of the girls and the funny things they say, make my daughter laugh out loud. This is probably one of my favorite if not favorite family films, and I never really liked animae, but this is such a treat! |
