Pros:
+ Beautiful, heartwarming movie
+ I just watched a couple of minutes and had to cry just because this movie is so wonderful.
+ NOT ONE (!) CGI-ComputerAnimation-Szene. Or if so, you don't see it.
+ Wonderful messages (The ocean is our friend and if we respect it, we can live with it; Friendship is something great - and it's so unimportant 'where' your friend is from)
+ Gives you (and gave me) this special 'i-am-a-child-again'-Feeling

Critics:
- This Movie is made for kids and parents. So is the tone of the movie. I liked it, but not everyone does that so.
- German and english Translation. Not as heartwarming as the japanese version.

How to watch it:
+ Watch the movie in japanese. It's the only Version that has so much heart.
+ Don't shame if you cry. I did (male, 30 years old, no children -so far). And i don't regret that i watched this beautiful movie.
+ I watch some, but nor all Ghibli-Movies. But at this time: It's my favorite Ghibli-Movie.


Rating: My heart melted dozen times. I will show it every child i know
9/10

This is too much cuteness in one film! Ponyo might be one of the cutest animated films that I've ever seen!

The story is supposed to be unrealistic, a fish that wants to be a human girl... That sounded very strange to me at first but the truth is, it is a wonderful adventure about friendship. A simple story so full of heart with a lot of creativity.

The underwater scenes are so amazing! Visually is absolutely gorgeous, a true work of art.

Magical film.

devotedtodisney

Just watched the english dubbed version (had previously watched the original version) and a I gotta say the only difference is that Sousuke's family refer to each other as father, son, dad, mom, wife and so on, as in the original they refer to each other with their first name. I believe by doing so, the english version has a feel that the family is much closer.

As soon as I heard Fujimoto speaking english, I found out it was Liam Neeson, and it felt amazing as I am a big fan.

Love this film!!!

Charming and cute, clearly more kids-oriented than other Miyazaki movies.

Just as good as the first time around and as beautiful too XD

Great movie, watching with the original audio is a plus.

Absolutly Marvellous! I Love it!

I finally saw it! And i have to say, its a beautiful movie.

This is definitely a movie meant for young children. More than the other recent works from the director Hayao Miyazaki. In style animation and story wise i would compare it the most to My Neighbor Totoro witch came out 20 years earlier in 1988.

I liked the drawing style in this movie. It was at points more crude than what i am usually used to from Studio Ghibli, but it was still very good.

All in all a good movie that deserves to be seen by anyone!

Yeah, when it comes to English voiceactors Studio Ghibli is about the only one who continually seems to get it right. They choose quality actors who actually have talent instead of what you normally see in most English dubbed anime's. There are a few exceptions here and there, but in most cases the English version of an otherwise awesome anime gets completely ruined by the voiceacting of people who clearly need to choose a new career....

Saw the original with the Japanese voice actors and English subtitles, and found it very heart warming and beautiful... curious to see if seeing the film with Hollywood actors dubbed over would give the animation a whole new feel and context.

Anyone seen both and have thoughts on the comparison? Not sure I want to skew my current opinion on the film...