My Neighbor Totoro

Rating:
Summary: One of the 10 best family films, ever!
Review: There is a moment in "My Neighbor Totoro" that demonstrates what sets it apart from so many so-called family films. Four year old Mei has wandered into the giant tree chasing two little creatures called Totoros. She falls into a pit and lands near a giant sleeping totoro. Eventually she falls asleep. When her big sister Satsuki returns home she and their father discover her. Mei tells them about the totoro.
A lesser children's film would have the father believe she was making it up, and the two children would soon not trust their father, or have to go on some stupid adventure to save the world. But the father in "My Neighbor Totoro" believes his children are telling the truth. He believes it so much that he thanks the spirits for watching after Mei. The father can be a little absent minded, but he has such a good heart and a kind person who loves his two daughters. When was the last time a family entertainment was about two sisters instead of two brothers, or a brother and sister?
That is one of the magics of "My Neighbor Totoro". It demonstrates that family films don't have to be about children whose parents die in the first scene, or have evil villains, comical sidekicks, or even songs. (Only two songs occur at the beginning and end. They have nothing to do with the story.) It also has a character (a boy next door) that made me laugh not because he was acting funny, but because he behaved in the exact way that boys his age acted around girls.
When I wasn't laughing at some of this film, I had a very big grin on my face. I was caught up in this family, as well as the neighbors. The totoro's completely won me over. The giant one was like a big fat cat when it sleeps.
I would like to mention another scene. The father and his two girls enjoy a bath together. In Japan it is traditional for families to enjoy evening baths together, although they take a quick shower before entering the bathtub together. It is considered impolite otherwise. The scene is interesting and something that would be very unlikely to be shown in any American film, let alone a family entertainment. Disney certainly wouldn't include such a scene. I believe it is a scene that parents could discuss with their children involving the differences between American and Japanese cultures.

I would like to finish by indicating that the legendary Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurowsawa called "My Neighbor Totoro" one of the best films he had ever scene. To have such an honor given by someone who was considered at that time to be the greatest living director says a lot for any film. But for an animated film, it's truly an astonishing achievement. Seeing "My Neighbor Totoro", I can understand why Kurowsawa would say that. It is one of the best family films ever made.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful story
Review: Anyone would love this story. The music is great, too. I wish DVD will come out soon.

Rating:
Summary: An instant family classic
Review: My children and I have watched this movie literally a hundred times and we absolutely love it. I like the fact that it shows how children live in another culture, an important concept in teaching children about diversity, tolerance, and the fact that we are all the same in that we are different.

Rating:
Summary: Magical for kids and adults
Review: What can I say that others haven't? Not much... this film by the now famous Miyazaki is charming, endearing, touching, warm, cozy, magical...

As a Pagan woman with a son who was 4 when I got it for him, the film got a lot of play in my home. But unlike so many insipid (or boring, or simplistic, or...) children's videos that haunt the living rooms of the world, My Neighbor Totoro goes so much deeper and enters a world of mystery and beauty, fright and pain, sacrifice and friendship. Parts of the film make my hair stand on end no matter how many times I see them, especially the night scene when the girls and totoros make seeds grow into a huge tree in a few seconds. The Japanese Shinto religion is alive in this film, with tree spirits still being honored and various shrines dotting the landscape. The simple details of a 1940s Japanese countryside are so immersive that I feel I've been there myself.

The totoro spirits are an invention of Miyazaki, but it's impossible not to believe they exist out there somewhere, perhaps under the huge, moss-covered trees... Miyazaki said that he doesn't like hearing that kids are watching the film over and over... that he intended the film to be seen only once because the story is so ephemeral, a fleeting bit of magic only glimpsed for a moment in the realm of childhood. But I can't help myself... I must see Totoro over and over... I have a Totoro calendar on my desk right now...

Absolutely one of the best anime films ever made, and one of the best children's films ever made. If you have children, or were ever a child, get My Neighbor Totoro.

Rating:
Summary: Whimsical
Review: So beautiful.... This movie takes you back to a time when life was simple, when childhood was full of play, when trees were tall, and fairies lived in your backyard. It is full of whimsy, and the setting is so peaceful and serene. And the art, oh... it is amazing how you can see the wind blowing without seeing the wind, and the water so clear you want to reach in and touch it. The characters were so lovable, especially Mei (the little sister) who is at once innocent, curious and fearless, as we all were, not too long ago... And not forgetting the Totoros, guardians of the forest, who make plants grow and winds blow, and Catbus, with the soft, warm fur. And on quiet moonlit nights, you just might see them sitting on a tree, softly playing their ocarinas....

Rating:
Summary: This is one for the Family
Review: This movie is really good! Once I heard it was directed by the guy (Hayao Miyazaki) who did Princess Mononoke, I went straight to the video store to rent it! I went home and popped it into the VHS player. I turned it on, and was shocked with amazement! It was so good and all this time I was passing right by it! Well now I regret that. If you haven't seen it yet, I suggest you finish reading this then run to the nearest movie store either rent it or buy it because if you like Anime and Kids or just fun movies your gonna love this! Plus it's a good family movie, my whole family did seemed to like it!

Rating:
Summary: Not as good as Kiki or Princess Mononoke-
Review: but then what is. Having seen the other two first I thought it was a bit less quality, although its more than worth the price.

Rating:
Summary: great for any age!
Review: My sister and I are both teens and we both still get a kick out of watching Totoro. We recently loaned the movie to our 3 year old neighbor, and his mom keeps apologizing that she cant get him to let her return it! everytime she trys to being it back, he sees her with the tape and begs to watch it again. its so cute, and great for any age.

Rating:
Summary: To To Ro, To To Ro
Review: @_@ *To-To-Ro* *To-To-Ro*

I have been hypnotized. The opening and closing songs are so addictive.

My Neighbour Totoro is my favourite Miyazaki movie. It is too short. The plot is too simple. Ok. That's it. Now onto the good stuff.

THE GOOD STUFF (in less than 1000 words ...... much less)

There is one factor in this movie which makes it all right. And that is its magical quality. I am amazed when I think about how such a simple and short story can become one of my favourite movies in the world. Not only me, but for many others as well, both children and adults. Thus, it can only be magic.

Two sisters moved to the countryside with their father. Their mother is laying in a nearby hospital thanks to an unexplained illness. The sisters explored the countryside and stumbled upon these magical creatures dubbed as Totoros. As their concerns grew more and more for their ill mother, the Totoros helped the girls to deal with their fears by interacting with them. They do boring stuff together like flying across the countryside and growing gigantic trees in their backyard and riding a terrain-unaffected Cat-Bus. As I said, boring stuff. O_O

..........

This is a movie too good to pass up, especially if you have kids. Leave Barney alone for a minute and get this NOW.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful, Wonderful!!!
Review: A wonderful magical film that I enjoyed along with my 6 year old grandaughter! Beautifully done in a sweet gentle manner. I am an artist and I just loved the way it was created.