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Movies & TV Movies & TV Reviews

Ponyo

PONYO (Hayao Miyazaki). 100 minutes. Opens Friday (August 14). For venues, times, and trailers, see Movies. Rating: NNNN


Adults and older children may find the story of Ponyo a little underdeveloped, but there’s enough imagination, visual beauty and light humour to charm viewers of all ages.[rssbreak]

Ponyo (voiced by Miley’s little sister Noah Lindsey Cyrus) is a human-faced goldfish stuck in a jar and rescued by five-year-old Sasuke (Frankie Jonas of the Jonas Brothers). Her sea wizard father retrieves her, but Ponyo loves Sasuke and is determined to become human.

A mishap with Dad’s potions does the job but causes a terrible storm that generates a brilliant centrepiece, with Sasuke and his mom nearly drowning while Ponyo races in pursuit atop tsunami-sized waves and the giant carp that her countless sisters have become. It’s scary and joyful, a celebration of the small child as unstoppable force of nature.

Writer/director Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away) plays with flowing shapes and muted pastels during the movie’s underwater scenes. Keep an eye out for some creative fun with bubbles within bubbles.

Along with Cyrus and Jonas, Liam Neeson and Lily Tomlin show up in the supporting cast. Everyone gives lively, convincing performances.

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