Rating: 
Summary: This is the worst dubbing on an anime film EVER!
Review: This was the first time I've ever seen "My Neighbor Totoro"WORST. ENGLISH. VOICES. EVER. This dubbed version of 'Totoro' contains the most obnoxious and frustrating English voices EVER in an animated film. 'Princess Mononoke' had the pleasure of being dubbed into English by wonderful American actors and actresses. Even "Kiki's Delivery Service" had Kirsten Dunst in the lead voice role, and she wasn't too bad. I have also heard good things about the English dub of "Spirited Away" (I'm VERY anxious to see this). This thing, however, I almost gave up on during the first fifteen minutes because of the voices. I can't wait to track down the disc that has the Japanese langauge track. However, I will not insult the movie itself. Hayao Miyazaki created another masterpiece, filled with imagination, charm and magic. Hopefully the West gets a good DVD treatment to this underrated masterpiece.
Rating: 
Summary: You'll Forget It's Animation . . .
Review: Amazing and beautiful, what a treat. I came across this by sheer accident and my was introduced to a world of animation that I never knew existed. I feel kinda stupid gushing so, but this movie has such a great story, with weird, fascinating Japanese spirits and characters, gorgeous and lush animation and if all that wasn't enough, it gives great insight into Japanese rural lifestyle and culture, from a intimate look at country house, to food, to the Japanese family bath, this movie has got it all. The story is about two young girls whose mother is in the hospital with a serious illness that prevents her from being home with her daughters. The father and the girls move to the country at the start of the picture. At their new (older) house, they discover spirits or dust sprites (cute,small, black and round) living upstairs and with the help of an elderly neighbor (who is kind of scary looking at first, but after seeing a few of these Japanese animated movies, we've gotten used to and even appreciate the accurate depiction of the wrinkly old faces complete with a large mole or two) they learn a bit about spirits. These spirits come in all shapes and sizes and eventually befriend the girls and assist them when a small family crisis occurs. A wonderful, refreshing look at family life, a great movie for everyone.
Rating:
Summary: One cat-bus ticket to Totoroland, please!
Review: I normally go out of my way to avoid any anime that's been dubbed, but there are times when I have no choice, and after seeing Princess Mononoke by Hayao Miyazaki, Japan's anime wizard, I decided to check out a title I remember coming out when I worked at a video rental store--My Neighbour Totoro. During the summer, Satsuki and Mei, move with their father to a house in the countryside while their mother convalesces in a hospital. They have some nice neighbours, particularly the old lady who tends her fields and comes up with bountiful harvests. However, living nearby in the depths of a humongous camphor tree, are the neighbours who will really transform the young girls' stay into something magical. Those neighbours are the Totoros. Totoros are funny looking creatures living in a secret world inside a giant camphor tree. Some come in small sizes, such as the waddling white one seen in the opening credits, shaped like an inverted tooth with webbed feet. Others are more developed, gray and white that resemble rabbits. Then there are the giant ones, with gaping toothy grins, claws, and loud roars. The girls befriend the Totoros and spend some purely magical moments together. Oh, and apparently, only children can see them, as they are the most prone to imagination, wonder, and fantasy. This charming film depicts Japanese society that is a stark contrast to American society. The girls' father may work at the university during the day, but Satsuki's role as her younger sister's minder is heavily emphasized, as is that of the kindly Nanny, who looks after the girls when they are alone. And I can't think of many children today who will wait for their father's return from work at a raining bus stop. The girls themselves are exceptionally unique. Mei in particular is more courageous and headstrong. The scene where she chases the two smaller sized Totoros into the camphor tree has shades of Alice In Wonderland. And when she comes across the giant Totoro, is she scared? Hardly--in fact she ends up taking a nap on the creatures furry stomach. One interesting concept is that of laughter chasing away soot sprites, or dust bunnies, who inhabit dark, lonely houses. Definitely a symbol of happy houses having no dark corners. My Neighbour Totoro is the film that first got Hayao Miyazaki notice in America, especially when it was released in the U.S. five years after its release in Japan. The original Japanese title, Tonari No Totoro, literally means "Totoro From Next Door", which is close enough to what is translated here, I suppose. The animation is typical anime, but the warm characterizations of the people are what make this a cut above the rest. And if you thought the Totoros were creative, check out the cat bus--it has to be seen to be believed.
Rating:
Summary: A Treat For Both Parents And Children
Review: Two sisters, 10-year-old Satsuki and 4-year-old Mei, go to live in the country side with their father while their mother recovers in the hospital from an illness. One day, while in the forest, Satsuki and Mei discover a magical spirit named the Totoro who becomes the gentle protector of the two children. The Totoro is a surrogate parent for the children during a time of family crisis. There is a depth of emotion between the two sisters which is unheard of in American animated films. As always director Hayao Miyazaki leads us on a rich emotional journey in which character takes precedent over narrative. There are no cheap jokes or cloying attempts at gaining the audience's sympathy. Miyazaki is confident enough in his own craft to let his stories tell themselves. My Neighbor Totoro is another great work from a modern master. Preston McClear, author The Boy Under the Bed
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful movie for kids
Review: I am always looking for movies for my 2 1/2 year old to watch that are non-violent and entertaining for all of us. This movie certainly fits all of my criteria. The story is simple and absorbing and the pace is quick enough for a young viewer, but it has natural breaks in it for watching different parts on different days. The characters are very engaging and the kids actually act like real kids. It's a sweet movie that parents and young children will enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: It would take a grown man 3 hrs to walk there
Review: This has become one of my favorite kids movies ever. The children characters are well developed. They love each other, but don't let the love get in the way of fussing the way kids do. The little, white, chicken-footed totoro is our family's favorite, poor thing being chased by May. The story is very touching and the childhood magic of being able to see the soot-sprites and totoro captures the days before one grows up.
My only complaint is that the DVD doesn't have and bonuses like so many do. However, it doesn't take away from the movie.
Rating:
Summary: Why would anyone dis this movie?!
Review: Personally, i love this movie. It may be a little odd, because i'm a 15 year old boy, but oh well. i grew up with this movie, and have loved it for a long time. it definitly is one of my favorites from when i was younger. i would sugest this movie to anyone. it has a great story, and the music and animation were really well done. the only person i wouldnt suggest this movie to is someone who is a devout fan of the film maker, and is disappointed to see it sold in english. but, if you're not a collector or anything, have fun watching this movie, and enjoying it, for years to come. i have!
Rating: 
Summary: Fantastic Animation -- Unforgivable Treatment
Review: My Neighbor Totoro is one of the greatest animated films ever produced (for children or otherwise). It is a film that devoted fans such as myself love sharing with children and friends (I even teach it in my Children's Literature class.)
----The delicacy of Hayao Miyazaki's tale of two young girls who must cope with the stresses of moving to a new house, neighborhood and school--while their mother is kept in a hospital for a problem they do not understand!--is extraordinarily well-told through delightful and surprising events and beautiful animation. That the girls need the friendship and support of their father, the neighbors and the Totoros (friendly nature spirits) is subtly presented and then heroically answered through Miyazaki's unforgettable imagery.
---But you'll have to trust me on that because a good portion of that imagery has been butchered away through the pan-and-scan process. Not only have the producers of this DVD version cut away much of the visuals but they have also left off the Japanese language track and given us a rather pale transfer.
----English speaking kids deserve to see this better-than-Disney film. They deserve to view the widescreen version and they deserve the option of hearing the dubbed version (if they cannot yet read) OR hearing it in it's original language while reading subtitles. A quality production would offer these things and more.
----This DVD offers a Masterpiece, but a badly Mistreated one----
Rating:
Summary: Kids don't need Japanese dialog
Review: I think this is great for kids!... If you are buying it for the kiddies, who cares if it's in English. WE DO! Kids don't understand Japanese and many are not old enough to read. This movie is too good for little ones to worry about purity. If you need the original, go get a copy off E-bay and don't deter people from buying it here.
Watch out for those soot sprites!!
Rating:
Summary: Totally Terrific Totoro!
Review: This is a wonderful story the whole family can enjoy. There are no overly dramatic death scenes that you must fast forward through. There are no death scenes at all. Totoro is a good story with interesting characters that show themselves only to children. The cat bus is ultra cool too. You will see a few cultural differences in the basic story as well. This makes the film more enjoyable.
Buy this movie, then watch it with your family, then tell your friends about the wonders of Totoro, the cute cuddly creature.
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