• Rating:
• Genre: Fantasy
• Movie Type: Family-Oriented Adventure, Children's Fantasy
• Themes: Fantasy Lands, Mythical Creatures, Finding a Way Back Home
• Director: Hayao Miyazaki
• Main Cast: Dakota Fanning, Elle Fanning, Tim Daly, Lea Salonga, Pat Carroll
• Release Year: 1988
• Country: JP
• Run Time: 87 minutes

Plot

This superbly animated children's tale is directed by Hayao Miyazaki, one of Japan's most beloved animators. The story follows Satsuke and Mai, two young girls who find their new country home is in a mystical forest inhabited by a menagerie of mystical creatures called Totoros. They befriend O Totoro, the biggest and eldest Totoro, who is also the king of the forest. As their girls' mother lies sick in the hospital, O Totoro brings the sisters on a magical adventure but also helps them to understand the realities of life. Like most films released by Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli, this family-oriented feature has a powerful ecological theme. ~ Jonathan E. Laxamana, All Movie Guide

Review

In the world of Hayao Miyazaki, the curiosity of two sisters drives the narrative for a story that seems created purely for the sake of whimsical pleasure. There are no villains, and the family actually cares for each other. What's more, the imagination of little girls in the natural and spiritual world is encouraged and celebrated. While unheard of in an American animated adventure, all these elements create a joyous family film that is lighthearted fun for children, yet full of enough nuance to please an adult audience. With Miyazaki's hand-drawn style of sweeping backgrounds and fuzzy creatures, the simple exploration of a backyard is transformed into a magical journey. Unlike typical Disney films, the children's antics never seem contrived or fall into the battle-against-adults story line. My Neighbor Totoro embraces the creativity inherent in a little girl's play time, while honoring it with the subtle details of a dramatic work. The features of Totoro and the Cat Bus are rendered lovingly, and the family is portrayed as a positive and comforting presence. However, My Neighbor Totoro is not a sugar-coated fantasy; some scenes portray the very real-life fears of being alone at night at a bus stop and being separated from an ill loved one. There are also some humorous bits that reveal a careful observation of children, as well as some genuinely inspiring moments in keeping with the ecological themes Miyazaki frequently returns to. This film does not suffer from a lack of conflict; it succeeds as an adventure fueled by the innocence and wonder of a little girl. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide

Cast

Dakota Fanning - Satsuki [Disney dub]; Elle Fanning - Mei [Disney dub]; Tim Daly - Dad [Disney dub]; Lea Salonga - Mom [Disney dub]; Pat Carroll - Granny [Disney dub]; Lisa Michelson - Satsuki [Fox dub]; Cheryl Chase - Mei [Fox dub]; Greg Snegoff - Dad [Fox dub]; Alexandra Kenworthy - Mom [Fox dub]; Natalie Core - Nanny [Fox dub]; Noriko Hidaka - Satsuki; Chika Sakamoto - Mei; Shigesato Itoi - Dad; Sumi Shimamoto - Mom; Tanie Kitabayashi - Kanta's Grandmother; Hitoshi Takagi - Totoro; Machiko Washio - Teacher

Credit

Takeshi Seyama - Editor; Hayao Miyazaki - Director; Hayao Miyazaki - Producer; Hayao Miyazaki - Screen Story; Hayao Miyazaki - Screenwriter; Joe Hisaishi - Composer (Music Score); Joe Hisaishi - Executive Music Producer; Yasuyoshi Tokuma - Executive Producer; Yoshihariu Sato - Animation Director

Similar Movies

Alice in Wonderland; Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland; James and the Giant Peach; Shrek