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.
shareThis is my least favorite from Miayazaki's movies.
shareThe only thing I find annoying about this film is the yelling and messing around of these children, but sure sometimes they are really cute for doing that, and it's depicted in a appreciable way. That said, I only dislike the short length. Apart from that, it's just an amazing movie for me.
I also enjoyed the story, and it was more detailed than lots of other Miyazaki works because it does not feel abstract at all. It's on par with Laputa for me but Totoro is just closer to what can be real, and that's also what makes it more believable and more appealing as a fairytale.
The real question is: Why isn't it HIGHER than 8.1?
It's one of the best films ever made. Bar none! It's filled with emotions & has an extremely simple plot. So simple it seems to have eluded some viewers! It's right there in front of you! Not masked or hidden!
It rewards those who pay attention, perhaps that's the problem? People expect to be "spoon fed" everything, and Totoro doesn't do that. I find this trust in the viewer absolutely endearing!
You also have to (must!) watch the end credits for the "closure" part of it.
I found it a mediocre movie, and that's just my opinion. I don't understand why this movie is on top 250 !!
shareI completely agree with your assessment. It's an okay movie, perhaps an 6 or 7 IMO. It's a cute and cozy tale, but like Spirited Away it's still quite overrated. It felt a lot like some of the Winnie the Pooh movies or the first Alice in Wonderland, although not as funny or whimsical. I perfectly understand loving the artistic aspects of the movie, but they just didn't do it for me. Art for me is a real sense of emotion and memorability, which I didn't find in this movies. I can understand relating to them through a child's eyes, but it is a far cry from say the Toy Story movies in that respect. Those movies, the third in particular, really made me remember the feeling of being a child again. I still can't understand how Spirited Away can be higher rated than TS3, and this one higher than TS2, but I guess people have different tastes and relate to different things. No disrespect to those that liked these movies, but they just seemed like ordinary animated children's movies to me.
With the exception of the theme song (Totoro song) the music, which I find to be an important part of animated movies, was also completely forgettable.
EDIT: Oh, and I actually really like anime, especially the TV-series. It's just most of Miyazaki's movies I find overrated, although I liked Princess Mononoke.
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but I guess people have different tastes and relate to different things. No disrespect to those that liked these movies, but they just seemed like ordinary animated children's movies to me.
With the exception of the theme song (Totoro song) the music, which I find to be an important part of animated movies, was also completely forgettable
No disrespect to those that liked these movies, but they just seemed like ordinary animated children's movies to me.
Oh, and I actually really like anime, especially the TV-series.
It's just most of Miyazaki's movies I find overrated, although I liked Princess Mononoke.
When I watch movies like Tonari no Totoro or Ponyo they make me feel like a child again. I remembered made up world full of wonders and and imagination. Totoro is so popular for a reason, many people end up liking it, that's how it is. It's not my favorite but very memorable.
The fact that you said that his movies are for children and than said you're a fan of anime is ironic. There are many of his movies that are not for kids. You sound like one of those know it all who think anime is for children while they won't able to wrap their stupid brains around shows like Evangelion. His movies are for both children and adults.
How? People who know his work appreciate it. Many people outside Japan don't know him. I started watching his movies only half a year a go. Disney is overrated as hell. Not the company, but him. In truth he's not that great. I love the company and Disney movies. But I don't think many of his movies are THAT good. Mickey Mouse of overrated, but tyre is rally not much to him. Totoro is much more fun, cute and likable.
I rated it a ten because I like it, the technical aspects of it are of the best quality, and it makes me feel good when I watch it. I don't need to always have conflict thrown at me. Sometimes it's nice to see people get along, learn to trust one another, and be happy.
share"Your 4 Years Old Little Sister Is Lost and Your Mother is In Hospital"
For me I dont need alien invasion or villainous character to make it "conflict-worthy".
I am a film maker wannabe myself, whenever I am running out of idea or overwhelmed by the idea that good film always has to be "like that", I use this film for therapy...