MOVIE: PONYO
The latest Hayao Miyazaki animation dives deep beneath the ocean’s surface for a tale based loosely on The Little Mermaid. Ponyo, with her flowing red nightie, moon-like face and penchant for trouble is a creature part-human, part-God – except she wants to drop the God part so she can join her little boyfriend, Sosuke. Havoc ensues; the world is thrown out of balance, above land becomes below and so forth. It’s the usual Miyazaki fare; nature is threatened by human interference, the bonds eventually forged strengthening both. And delightful moments are found in the odd characterisation of the parentals; Sosuke’s mother a wild, independent woman, Ponyo’s father a sallow-faced worry-wart. But overall the narrative becomes a little diluted and we drown in cuteness with no real purpose. (AB)
