Film Review: Ponyo on a Cliff

Sensational, extraordinary, spiritual, and magical are the words that describe
Hayao Miyazaki’s works. Ponyo on a cliff, also called Ponyo, is one of the best masterpieces
of the famous animated film creator, Hayao Miyazaki. With its charming story and
exceptional visual work, children and adults will be amused by the deep beauty of this
movie. It’s a love story between two children, and it has a similar concept to the film “The
Little Mermaid.”

A magical goldfish who has a face that resembles a human named Ponyo lives
under the sea with her countless smaller sisters. Ponyo is the offspring of a semi-human
wizard named Fujimoto, and a sea-goddess named Granmamare. A 5 years old boy named
Sosuke who lives by the seaside cliff with his mother Lisa and his father Koichi who is
always away because of his job as a sailor.

One day, as Ponyo’s father is working with his sorcery, Ponyo sneaks off the
submarine where they live and floats away on the back of a jellyfish. Ponyo stuck in a jar
because of a boat cleaning the seashore using a net. While playing, Sosuke rescues Ponyo
and puts her in a pail of water and brings her to his school. Sosuke gets attach with the
weird goldfish. However, Fujimoto wants her back because he knows that the above world
is dangerous for his daughter. He succeeds to bring her home again with the help of his
magic. However, Ponyo is desperate to be with Sosuke again. So, Ponyo uses her magic
to transform herself into a little girl. Her action results in a lack of balance in the world. It
results in the rise of sea level that waves turn into floods. Fujimoto and Granmamare take
action to resolve the imbalance within the world. Ponyo's parents put to the test the
genuineness of Sosuke's love for Ponyo. Sosuke then succeeds. Ponyo's parents allow
them to be with each other. The lack of balance within the world reverts to normal

With the help of Ghibli's remarkable animation, Miyazaki's Ponyo came to life. With
the smoothness and fineness of its animation with an appealing musical score, Ponyo
became a successful film for Miyazaki and Ghibli. Sosuke and Ponyo teach us how to love
and care, not only human but also nature. This film will make us realize our long-forgotten
innocence and wonder. Miyazaki never ceases to take us to another world.

Arceo, Lorenzo S. STEM-TEC1R