Ponyo

Even when the film feels murky, Miyazaki's painterly eye keeps things afloat

Miyazaki's back, and still a force of nature. A weird, wonderful aquatic romp, Ponyo is also a meditation on the state of this blue planet. Catch it.

We're drawn under the waves of the sea to a hidden enclave of neon-hued aqualife more vibrant, surreal and enchanting than any of the floating 3D whatsits in 'Avatar'.

As usual, Miyazaki treads a thin line between intuitive, unshackled fantasy and simply seeming to makes things up as he goes along, but there is never a dull moment in the film's imagery.

An arresting work from an unmistakable film-making personality.

A simple tale, less freighted by foreboding than Miyazaki's recent output. In any case, storytelling is less important to him than mood or texture. His films are dream waltzes, all liquid motion and mysterious turbulences.

Ponyo, for the most part, is a beautiful, heartwarming piece that should bring a smile to anyone’s face, regardless of age.

Miyazaki represents the last animator still wholly dedicated to an art form that is slowly dying. Relish animated films like this while you can.

Perhaps not the film for the adventurous young adult, Ponyo proves that remarkable visual inventiveness more-than makes up for candy-sweet morals and glass-fragile plot lines.

It's not on the same level as Howl's Moving Castle or Spirited Away, but it is a very magical and charming film.