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Summary: absolutely charming
Review: My 4 year old daughter just loves it. I had to buy it because it was so much cheaper than continually renting it. To date, she has watched it probably 30 times.
Rating:
Summary: Enchanting and wholesome family entertainment
Review: Incredibly realistic characterizations make the characters seem more than mere animation. The two small japanese girls are typical sisters sharing a wonderful experience. They could simply be any american family. The heartwarming story line shows adventure, drama and comedy. A wonderful mix for a full-bodied film.
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Summary: Beautiful!!!
Review: One of the best anime videos I have ever seen. Cute, delightful, magical. A definite MUST!
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Summary: Rediscover the Magic of childhood
Review: I first saw this movie before I had children (In Japanese, no less, with someone translating on the fly), and I knew I would have to get it for my children someday. My two daughters (now 4 and 8) absolutely adore it. It harkens back to an earlier era, before children were battered with the sound bytes and fast pace of TV, when a child might laze away a sunny afternoon and perhaps discover the hidden magic in the world around them. It touches beautifully, profoundly and sincerely on the themes of family togetherness in the face of everyday events in a rural area, troubles (the mother's illness), and a connectedness with the spirits of nature. Adult reviewers raised on TV instead of books may be too jaded to appreciate its seeming leasure, but its magic unfolds at at a pace just perfect for the understanding of one who can still see with the eyes of a child.
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Summary: Too much sentimentality; snail-like pace.
Review: Though Miyazaki Hayao is known as one of the classiest animation creators in Japan, Totoro isn't a very good representation of his work.Perhaps he is too fond of this story, which is a blend of his childhood memories and Japanese folklore. The resultant movie is long, cutesy, not very accessible to grown-ups (if charming) -- too much time devoted to too little material. The story is human and heartwarming: Writer retires to the country with two little daughters, with his wife in the hospital. The problem is, Miyazaki hasn't given his characters enough to do, so all we're left with is the cuteness, which wears off after about 15 minutes and isn't salvaged until the late entrance of the titular character. Characters, actually. The two "Mini-Totoros" are hilarious, and when the gigantic patriarch spirit appears, in a half-asleep state, no less, it makes for great comedy. Unfortunately, not enough actions have been built into the rising action after this key encounter. The crisis -- the possible deterioration of Mom's health -- is worthy enough. But with scenes such as the discovery of the shoe, the sense of dread that should have prevailed is set aside to prefer sentimental touches like the old woman and the villagers' melodramatic response. Good concept; weak plotting and shaky technique. Still much better than the formulaic Disney musicals that reign over American animation. Wonderful score, as well, by one of film music's unheralded masters, Joe Hisaishi. I highly recommend that music and film lovers alike explore his other work for Miyazaki -- most notably Laputa: Castle in the Sky and Nausicaä: Warriors of the Wind.
Rating:
Summary: Magical- a must see!
Review: So sorry for the reviewer who said "terrible"---you missed the point and the magic in this perfectly human and gentle film. I was as mesmorized as my 4 year old, who had to watch this movie again and again. I agree with my daughter: "Totoro is really nice- and really big too"
Rating: 
Summary: Terrible
Review: I couldn't even go through this movie without falling asleep. It was one of the worst animated films I have seen ever.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing Japanime for all ages.
Review: My family just spent the last five days watching this film over and over. Unfortunately it was a rental (my daughter was crushed when she found out that daddy had taken it back). Both my two year old daughter and my ten month old son were riveted every time we watched it. Top notch animation quality on par with some of Disney's best. The detail was exquisite. Definately a must see.
Rating:
Summary: Best animated film ever made for adults and children
Review: Miyazaki's amazing film defies classification as children's entertainment. An incredible adventure set in rural Japan about the love between two bright young sisters who meet the ancient spirits of their forest. By the director of "Kiki's Delivery Service" and "Castle in the Air"; also made recently available in the U.S.
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Summary: What Disney can only dream of creating!
Review: A friend from England brought this video over on his visit to the US and showed it to me. I was completely blown away at the simple purity and innocence of the story. If kids today were to grow up with stories like this I think the world would be a much better place. It is better than most Disney stories because Disney stories are filled with all these evil undertones and dark, scary imagery. Show your kids this movie!
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