My Neighbor Totoro
by Hayao Miyazaki
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DVD details
Actor: Chika Sakamoto, Hitoshi Takagi, Noriko Hidaka, Shigesato Itoi, Sumi ShimamotoDirector: Hayao Miyazaki
Brand: Buena Vista Home Video
Cinematographer: Mark Henley
Writer: Hayao Miyazaki
Producer: Eiko Tanaka
Producer: Ned Lott
Producer: Rick Dempsey
Producer: Toru Hara
Producer: Yasuyoshi Tokuma
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; English (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; French (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; Japanese (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; English (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; Japanese (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Format: Animated, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, NTSC, THX, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 86 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-03-07
Audience Rating: G (General Audience)
Model: 02534900
Studio: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
Product features:
- Critically acclaimed as one of the most delightful and charming family films ever, MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO is a stunning animated treat full of magical adventure from Hayao Miyazaki. Follow the adventures of Satsuki and her four-year-old sister Mei when they move into a new home in the countryside. To their delight, they discover that their new neighbor is a mysterious forest spirit called Totoro, who
DVD Reviews of My Neighbor Totoro
DVD Review: MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO - The Bow Down to Hayao Miyazaki Edition
Summary: 5 Stars
My opinion only, but fans of animation must bow down to Hayao Miyazaki. In fact, fans of movies, in general, and of art must give Mr. Miyazaki his due propers. I've seen his recent stuff (Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle) and am left awestruck. The man is a genius in his purview, and he works hard. Simply remarkable, the craftsmanship and soul and depth fused into these pictures. Having fanned myself into an addiction for more of Mr. Miyazaki's works, I've started to backtrack and catch up on his older films. MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO, released in 1988, was my intro to his more classic stuff. Not too surprisingly, I really enjoyed it.
Most folks consider MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO (or TONARI NO TOTORO) to be a masterpiece, and who am I to argue? Set on a more intimate scale than Mr. Miyazaki's other, more grandiose efforts, it's one of the best family films around, particularly in terms of portraying the family interrelationships. The way in which the two young girls connect to each other is disarming and a sheer pleasure to watch. Too, I like that their father isn't an absent parent by default, or one who's too busy or prone to misunderstanding and distrusting his kids (like in most American family films). When the youngest girl, Mei, tells her father (and her older sister) that she'd just encountered a "totoro" he doesn't dismiss her out of hand. He listens and even ventures an explanation. And it doesn't come off as condescending. In fact, the same thing happens earlier in the film, when the family was just moving into their new home and the girls glimpse the soot sprites. Dude's a cool dad.
The plot, real quick: Two young girls (with their dad) move to rural Japan to be closer to their ailing mother, who temporarily resides in a nearby hospital. Along the way, the girls - the pre-teen Satsuki and her four-year-old sister Mei - meet Totoro, a large but benign forest spirit, whom only children can see. Totoro would become their friend and guardian.
This is a rare film in that it contains neither villains nor violence. Mr. Miyazaki renders his supernatural world so benevolent and wondrous that it elicits delighted smiles, and not shudders. The scary moments instead stem from the girls' overriding fear that their sickly mother might not get better, that she might even die, a truly frightening prospect for children. And, because of Mr. Miyazaki's attention to detail and development of his characters, this concern becomes valid to us. You ache for the girls. Real people, real concerns.
Visually, technically, emotionally, MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO is a beautiful film. No surprise then that Hayao Miyazaki writes, directs, and draws this thing. There's an enchanting simplicity here, with a leisurely pace and a narrative which isn't rushed. Again, respect to Mr. Miyazaki's attention to detail. We learn much of the Japanese culture; specifically, we gain an insight into Japan's agricultural way of life and the farmers' affinity with their environment. As usual, Mr. Miyazaki injects his cast with an appreciation and respect for nature. And nature reciprocates in the form of the forest spirit Totoro, whose simple pleasures are sights to behold, from his lazy enjoyment of an afternoon nap to his infectious glee at the raindrops pelting his umbrella.
There's a joy in the sisters' interactions with Totoro. There's something quite moving about this mysterious creature guiding the girls in a mystical rite to make their slow-growing acorns shoot up into mature oak trees. And there's something so right about Satsuki and Mei waking up later to realize that their planted seeds hadn't grown to full bloom after all, but that they did, however, finally begin to sprout. And, when, earlier, Totoro soared the night skies on his magical top, with the children and the little totoros crazily clinging to him, what a truly glorious and uplifting moment.
A bit now on the dvd special features (from the Disney presentation). Disc 1 not only has the movie but also the following: "Behind the Microphone" - a segment featuring the English voiceover actors (Dakota and Elle Fanning are a delight); the Opening & Ending Title Sequence Art; and the original trailer. Meanwhile, Disc 2, if you have it, offers the original Japanese storyboards for the entire film.
If there's one truly melancholy note here, it's in the thought that there'll come a day when Satsuki and Mei won't be able to see Totoro anymore. But, at least, in 2002, Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli came out with MEI AND THE KITTENBUS, a 13-minute-long follow up to MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO which demonstrates that at least Mei hasn't been deprived of hanging out with otherworldy company. Now if only Studio Ghibli will let us see the damn thing.
As ever, Mr. Miyazaki's humanity and perceptiveness shine thru. And this I can't emphasize enough: The film has appealing magical creatures, yes. And the film presents several stunning magical sequences, sure. But the true magic lies in the sisters and how they relate to each other, and sometimes get annoyed with each other, yet continually care for each other. Satsuki and Mei are simply irresistible, wonderfully realized characters. The self-sufficiency and warmth of Satsuki. The cute stubbornness of Mei (maybe an ear of corn CAN cure maladies). Gentle and whimsical and enchanting, MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO is recommended for the young and the young-at-heart and even the cranky-at-heart. So get on board for this one. I'm certain that crazy, big-grinning Cat Bus has tons of room.
Next on my to-watch list: Kiki's Delivery Service, Porco Rosso, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, and Castle in the Sky.
Description of My Neighbor Totoro
Critically acclaimed as one of the most delightful and charming family films ever, MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO is a stunning animated treat full of magical adventure from Hayao Miyazaki. Follow the adventures of Satsuki and her four-year-old sister Mei when they move into a new home in the countryside. To their delight, they discover that their new neighbor is a mysterious forest spirit called Totoro, who can be seen only through the eyes of a child. Totoro introduces them to extraordinary characters -- including a cat that doubles as a bus! -- and takes them on an incredible journey. Full of wonder and heart, this spectacular 2-disc set features the voice talents of Dakota Fanning and Elle Fanning. MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO is a magical experience for the whole family! © 1988 Nibariki ? GBestsellers in DVD
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