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As much as I love studio Ghibli, this is a clear cut children's film intended for children. The animation is still quite excellent at points and there are some good visuals, but there really isn't an edge it lacks a lot of substance. I'm not saying its a bad movie I'm saying its for kids, if you're looking for the heavy smart political and philosophical contexts that were present in Princess Mononoke and Howl's Moving Castle, you will not find them here.

Clarification: Spirited Away was a kids movie that I thought appealed to all age groups, as opposed to this one which may only appeal to kids.

Updated: 08/14/09 11:13 PM Log in to comment! | Share this!

The People Have Spoken

16 Comments

Aug. 14, 2009 | 10:54 PM barbyourewire says:

what were you expecting? its a DISNEY movie....

Aug. 14, 2009 | 11:00 PM SpedsonaPlane responds:

its only distributed by disney. Studio Ghibli (which made the film) does some really dark and interesting stuff like shooting peoples arms and head off with a bow and arrow. God decapitation unleashing a sea of death. and other amazing moments that my petty words can't do justice to. If you haven't seen a lot of studio Ghibli's stuff check it out!

Aug. 14, 2009 | 10:57 PM Sticky says:

I like kids movies.

Aug. 14, 2009 | 10:59 PM Chdonga says:

How many times are you going to post it?

Aug. 14, 2009 | 11:03 PM SpedsonaPlane responds:

sorry meant to frontpage post it the first time and missed the button, I'll just get rid of that other one.

Aug. 14, 2009 | 11:05 PM Sapphire says:

Even if it was distributed by Disney, it should have been obvious that it would be a kids movie BECAUSE it's being distributed by Disney. Also, the previews were a dead giveaway. :l

I think my fave film fro Studio Ghibli would be Kiki's Delivery Express. I loved it so. D:

Aug. 14, 2009 | 11:09 PM SpedsonaPlane responds:

to be fair, there are two kinds of kids movies, movies inteded for kids and movies that can be watched by kids. Movies that can be watched by kids tend to have elements that can appeal to different age groups (like spirited away) and then there are movies that just flat out only kids can get somethings out of (like this one) again, not criticising you if you like the film, a lot of people may have been expecting different things after the previous Ghibli masterpieces.

Aug. 14, 2009 | 11:09 PM PrimalHunter2 says:

Well no shit its being distributed by Disney, and Disney doesn't want decapitation in things they are putting out should be pretty obvious..

Aug. 14, 2009 | 11:10 PM SpedsonaPlane responds:

that didn't stop the tale of sleepy hollow MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!

Aug. 14, 2009 | 11:14 PM VidGameDude says:

no surprise...

disney Va's+Anime= wtf?

nuff' said

l8s

Aug. 14, 2009 | 11:28 PM blank0000 says:

Basically it's targeted specifically at kids, and is'nt something with some deeper content "like say, the Iron Giant" Shame, but to be honest I did'nt expect much more. Not to sound paranoid but I could'nt shake the feeling that Disney was backing said movie to try and hit that "anime" niche.

Aug. 14, 2009 | 11:30 PM SpedsonaPlane responds:

amen to that.

Aug. 14, 2009 | 11:49 PM NAveryW says:

The people who state that the fact that this film is distributed by Disney means that it's for children are probably forgetting that Disney distributed Princess Mononoke and pretty much every other Miyazaki film.

Aug. 14, 2009 | 11:52 PM SpedsonaPlane responds:

not quite, I think miramax distributed Mononoke, Only Spirited away and Ponyo were disney. I don't know I could be wrong...

Aug. 15, 2009 | 12:56 AM ScorpionReturn5 says:

Kids shows and movies are still enjoyable to watch man. Sure it's not "Adult" but a lot of grown people still like to watch them.

Hell I know I do.

Aug. 15, 2009 | 1:07 AM JonBro says:

I'm pretty sure it's the kind of kid's film all ages could easily love.

I just watched it with several other people of different age groups and they all loved it as much as I did.

Aug. 15, 2009 | 1:08 AM JonBro says:

* Oh yeah, and Disney studios will take over the world someday.

Aug. 15, 2009 | 1:12 AM Araelyn says:

I thought it was cute! I really like kids movies though and it seems like the only movies lately with any creative and original substance are kid movies. I saw previews for "Where the Wild Things Are" and "The Fantastic Mr. Fox" and compared to some of the other titles being released for more mature audiences, these movies look shit tonnes better. Ponyo WAS a little childish. I was one of the only people in the movie theatre that wasn't under the age of 10 or over the age of 60, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Have you seen "My Neighbour Totoro"? That's VERY much a kids movie, also by Studio Ghibli. They release movies for all ages and I'm 20 and I enjoyed Ponyo. I wasn't disappointed in the least. Ponyo had surreal elements in it unlike a lot of kids movies that I've seen. The animation was awesome and the colours were spectacular.

Aug. 15, 2009 | 1:18 AM SpedsonaPlane responds:

veery true I agree that it is sooooooooooooooooooo much better than the stuff hollywood keeps putting out for kids, but compared to previous ghibli films I thought it lacked substance. just a bit too over the place to make a clear concise point... I'd definately show this movie to my nephews and nieces though this is great for them! I was just having the wrong expectations and want to spread the word so people don't get too wrong of an impression

Aug. 15, 2009 | 1:13 AM FrozenFire says:

Im going to watch it with my niece so I think Im fine with it being for kids.

Aug. 15, 2009 | 1:18 AM SpedsonaPlane responds:

should be a good time!

Aug. 15, 2009 | 2:19 AM Gamepr020 says:

Aw man, I didn't know spirited away was distributed from disney... was one of the first studio Ghibi film i watched, well might as well see Ponyo...

Should I watch the Original or dubbed?

Aug. 15, 2009 | 4:14 AM barbyourewire says:

me point was if disney has had its hands on anything it will either be VERY stupid or Very charming. they put it out but if was actually not for kids they wouldnt touch it. but hey its good because they didnt make it so ya

Oct. 10, 2009 | 11:11 PM Crazymonkey154 says:

Um, OK then..... so how's college, man? It's been FOREVER since I heard from you! And you certainly need to update ASAP.