Rating: 
Summary: Loved by Many Fans in Japan and the Whole World
Review: Since the first theatrical release in Japan, I have been a devoted fan of this film, and Totoro and two sisters' wonderful, magical, fascinating tale in rural Japan is my all-time best.And if you think this film is just for kids only, trust me, it is not. Now I'm a grown-up, but still can enjoy watching it. Two lovable sisters are always well-drawn and credible while three furry monsters "Totoro"s (lovely creatures, indeed) are nothing but charming. And these things many fans have said rightly. Now I could add some reasons for the enormous popularity, especially popularity in Japan. As you know after watching the opening scenes, this animation uses the countryside of Japan as its background. Sadly, these beautiful country is now becoming a past memory even for Japanese people. We no longer see conducters (guides) on local bus service; no good old three-wheeled trucks can be seen (on which sisters' father was seen), and school buildings are modernized so little chance for you to see Satsuki's school in reality. These facts, beside its good story telling, make the film all the more charming for us, Japanese. On top of that, many adult viewers surely remember the way they acted like spies when they were kids; made their own story of adventure, fought against imaginary creatures, and so on. Yes, we see even our autobiography in it sometimes. Have you ever experienced a childlike. thrilling sensation of finding a hidden passage in a house where you newly moved? Have you lost your way amid the places you had never been, and felt scared of the coming sunset as a child? I have, and all those memories would spring back to my mind vividly while watching "Totoro." Of course, kids enjoy this film, but it is something more as director Hayao Miyazaki's films always are. Creatures are cute, 12-legged cat-bus is infallably the favorite and wonder for kids, and three "Totoro"s always steal your eyes. Now remember, "Totoro" is much more than that. Kids can enjoy it, and so can adults. Definitely. By the way, something about sisters' names. "Satsuki" is the old, elegant way of calling the fifth month of the year; hence, meanig "May." So, the sisters' names mean virtually the same thing, the best time of year of Japan.
Rating:
Summary: this is like a book.
Review: at first I was thinking that it is only a cartoon for the kids. I was not that interested in his works before I was forced to see them for my presentation in the class. I finally watched this yesterday and it was so great. I found it like a "book" because books bring us the different feeling depending on your mood and your age. I watced this for the first time, when I was at elementary school and I remember that I found this movie very cute and I felt that I wanted to meet totoros in the real. However this time, I was moved more. Hayao Miyazaki often has a lot of hidden messages in his works, which sounds a little difficult for the children (though they will receive these messeges naturally, when they watch this, without telling that they have received) like identities, environment etc. This work has some hidden messeges also. For example, first of all, of course it says the importace of living with nature. IF there was no nature like that, they were never able to meet totoros. Secondly, the character of father refers to someone like a teacher, who teaches the importance of having dream and of believing what they do not see. We live in the tech world and we tend to think that the technology is the best thing in the world, instead of dreaming of something. He never said that the totoros would not exisit in the world (but this is said by a lot of adults now, sad to say.) he rather said that he hoped that they could see them. There might be more hidden messages in this work. But it is up to you, how and where you receive it!
Rating:
Summary: I am not a fan of "family" movies
Review: ...and neither am I am fantasy fan. Yet this is one wonderful movie. It is one of those rare works that are *so* original, and yet works so well, that they are all but impossible to describe. Just get it, OK?
Rating:
Summary: Classic anime
Review: My sister and I rented this movie on VHS back in the early 90's. We fell in love with it and I still love it to this day. It is a rather simple plot that is easy to enjoy if you are kid or a kid at heart. I am desperately waiting for this to come out on DVD. It would make my year.
Rating:
Summary: Referring to the Japanese edition DVD.
Review: I'm not sure how the Studio Ghibli will release its movies outside of Japan, but if they are anything like the Japanese release, one is in for a treat. The Japanese (Region 2) contains two disks. The first disk contains the movie, with Japanese in 2 channel stereo (the sound is excellent) and English in Mono. There are also subtitles in Japanese and English available. The picture is also excellent, and in 16:9 letterbox format. On the second disk is the movie again, but you can switch between the movie and Miyazawa's beautiful conte storyboards: you can play the storyboards like a movie with the original soundtrack underneath like a narrated picturebook. It also contains previews of other Ghibli movies, a featurette on Miyazaki design (Japanese only) and original artwork. I hope that this release of Tonari no Totoro is released in the US. Until it is, and you have a DVD player that does region 2, you can order from amazon.co.jp .
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best
Review: I am a movie fan. I studied film in college many years ago (I know, big deal.) Anyway, my point is i LOVE good movies, and this is good -- one of the best. Animation or not, it is good because it is a good story. Watch it. Suspend disbelief. Go with it. It is a story of two small Japanese sisters just moved to a remarkable magical countryside with their professor dad while their mom recovers from an illness in the hospital. The sisters meet the magical characters that inhabit the area as they worry about their mom. The literary term "magic realism" come to mind as magic occurs as if such impossible things actually do happen every day. It happens, and it is reasonable in the world of these small children. More importantly it is a story of love. The real magic is about the love within the family.
Rating:
Summary: Entirely charming.
Review: I got this video for my daughter with no regrets. She enjoys playing her videos over and over again so I appreciate a movie like "Totoro" that does not get on my nerves. It is a charming tale of two young girls that dwell in the beauty of youth while coping with the absence of their hospitalized mother. I highly recommend this title for anyone with a child.
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Summary: Put it on DVD!
Review: Owning the VHS version, I'd buy this for [amt.] if it was on DVD (and I think most [amt.] DVDs are a criminal waste). It's a kid's movie that whips the pants off most Disney movies becasue it's realistic. Well drawn and the kids are like the real kids walking around the house, not some batchelor in New York's fancies of kids. The theme itself is as relief from "Killing everyone and saving the world and blood flying and raunchy sex humor." themes. Put it on DVD. Make several more with the same quality. "Kiki's Delivery Service" is another "I want it on DVD." similar movie. I bought them for myself and the only problem is that the neices and nephews have watched them to death. I'm a picky watcher; I prefer "Ghost in the Shell" and "Wings of Honneamise" and "Iria: The Zeram Animation" over most of the slap-dash anime you find today. Give me quality and orginality. I love movies that are a moving painting, and set in backdrops so realistic you know they have to be fantasies. Which "Tottoro" has in abundance.
Rating: 
Summary: Outstanding children's tale; good adult's tale.
Review: This movie is teeming with creativity and magic, but ultimately does not transcend enough beyond a kid's movie at times. I greatly enjoyed this film, moreso than any other film that I would classify as strictly for children. There are scenes that remind us of what childhood is like, and other scenes which take us on a fascinating journey. Yet it all ends to soon, with the usual song and dance we expect from a children's film. This is a great kid's movie, and one which most adults will enjoy. However, if you are looking for more serious fare, try Princess Mononoke, a little more serious work with a lot more to offer the thinking movie-goer.
Rating:
Summary: I first saw this when i was in 4th grade, and still in awe
Review: Even if your not into all that japanese animation stuff, totoro is a classic and a must see, especially for children.....very uplifting......and the characters are histerical ...the best part is the little girl putting her finger in the dust bunny hole in the attic i must say. you'll thouroughly enjoy it!
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