I'm as big a fan of Miyazaki as the next guy but an 8.1 seems way too high for this movie. Sure, it's cute & heartwarming, but there doesn't seem to be a whole lot to it. There's no real sense of conflict & not everything is developed quite as well as it could have been. I've watched it twice recently & enjoyed it, but it was very unsatisfying compared with some of his others.
share[deleted]
I like that is doesn't have a real sense of conflict. A lot. I gave this 10/10
shareI thought this movie was superb. I'm in my thirties and have two young children myself, so I could enjoy the movie on so many levels.
First of all, it reminded me of the beauty of being young. It was like a nostalgic trip along childhood where the world is still magical; where things move in your room at night, where you see soot sprites if your daddy tells you they are there but not to be scared of them, where your toys come alive when you dream.
Second, I loved the observational side of how the children are portrayed - he had it spot on the way they move, behave and other little things like how when Mai runs too fast her hat falls off and she falls flat on her face. I have seen that so often with my own - it made me laugh every time.
Third, I was totally gripped by the way things were going in the final third of the movie. I was preparing myself for a tragedy and welling up as I had been sucked into the story (which is how I rate a movie - I ask myself "Do I care?").
Forth and finally, I loved the messages about nature, about planting seeds, seeing things grow and respecting your environment.
This movie was superb and so many people can't be wrong.
That which does not kill you, makes you stronger!
There's no real sense of conflict
not everything is developed quite as well as it could have been
Totoro is the greatest film about Death ever made.As someone who's Mother was ill my whole childhood.she died when I was twelve. My Mother Asked me several times to look after my little sister. I have for the last 45 years. Death is the Elephant in the room of the whole story. The young boys Father was killed in the war he wears the hat to honor his father. He gives the the girls his Umbrella to honor his father as he see his father as a Hero. He smiles as he runs from the Girls He now feels like a Hero he Fathers prode of him. Grandma has lost her family to She helps the young girls to feel closer to what she has lost . Satuki's if in turmoil she fears her mother's Death and the loss. And respondsabily for her Sister. When she fears Mai is Dead.she makes a Deal with Death "Totoro" give me my sister back take my Mom in stead.the corn was an offering to the dead (Asian style) I cry at the end every time I watch this film
shareI was thinking the same thing. I guess it doesn't really matter that it's on the top 250, after maybe the top 25 it becomes pretty much random and filled with whatever did well last season anyway. It's not an actual list of "you have to see these movies before you die".
That said, I do think the movie is a 7/10 or so. There's not enough real substance to Totoro to go out of your way to specifically watch it multiple times. I can see myself putting it on every now and then to just watch cute little Japanese kids be cute but if I want to be engaged by a story there's plenty of other Ghibli to choose from. And that's not a slam, the movie is what it is and I even very much enjoy it but it's pretty light on content and probably best enjoyed by Ghibli completionists and kids.
On another note, it's awesome to finally realize that the blue monster in that one Samurai Jack episode is very clearly an homage to Totoro. It took me this long to see the movie but the connection between the two was made about 2 seconds after Mei touched Totoro's nose. They even look really similar.
It has a high score because the people who voted on it thought that it deserved a high score. Makes no sense to whine about it.
--------------------------
Rare breed on IMDB: Someone who uses their critical thinking skills.
It has a high score because it captures the magic of childhood,nature and
life in a special way.Throughout the movie there is nothing negative or
dangerous - but a continous feeling of wonder and exploration.Every time I
watch the movie i get a positive,hopeful feeling.
Miyazaki's other works are good,too.But this movie captures the essence
of Miyazaki's work.
In my opinion,Totoro is a masterpiece is should be much higher in the TOP 250.
Dang right!
It's a fantastic film. One in a million! I rate it 10 only because there is no "11" to score it.
I easily put his film in my top 100, and I'm a harsh critic!
[deleted]
This film should have 9+/10 imho, it is one of the most beautiful, enchanting and wonderful films of all time, it just invokes in me the memories of a certain wonder I would experience as a child, exploring in the woods or in fields or old houses and locations etc, its just the perfect childrens movie while still managing to remain completely grounded in a human situation
Live on Xbox 360 as Ultrapro
I don't consider myself a Miyazaki fan, but I've seen all his movies, Princess Mononoke being my favorite, Totoro is probably be my second. I like the fact that there is no major conflict and I liked this movie a lot more than Porco Rosso
shareTotaro is one of the best films of all time precisely for the reason you pointed out. There is no 'issue of conflict' like Hollywood film in that everything is driven by conflict or a driving force that propels the entire film and its characters. Totaro is, and this is describing a fantasy film for children, incredibly real. I've never seen a film that captures the emotions of a child so well. The simple act of Totaro standing next to the girls at the bus stop is one of the greatest single moments in cinematic history. It tells you everything you need to know about how the girls are feeling, Totaro's intentions, and what a child needs when they're afraid. The absolute genius of Totaro is it's complete departure from traditional film story telling and structure, yet the masterful hand with which the film is crafted that creates one of the best films of all time.
share