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My Neighbour Totoro review by The Wolf
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If you haven't heard of My Neighbour Totoro (Tonari no Totoro) then you must be living in a cave. My Neighbour Totoro from 1998 is one of Studio Ghibli's most recognised films. This film is what shaped Studio Ghibli and what made them "The Disney of the East". In fact, Totoro was such a beloved character that Ghibli have even made him their official mascot.
The story revolves around two young sisters, Satsuki and Mei. They have just moved house, with their father, so that they can be closer to their mother, who is in a nearby hospital. When Satsuki and Mei arrive at their new home, they discover a giant tree next door and one day, when Satsuki is at school, Mei goes exploring. When she spots a white little furry thing (Chibi Totoro), she follows it and discovers that a bunch of furry creatures live in the nearby tree. The movie does get a little interesting when Mei runs off because their mother doesn't come home when she said that she would. And it is up to Totoro to stand in the spotlight with the help of its friend, the Cat Bus.
This is a wonderful film. It doesn't have a very strong plot, but that doesn't matter. This film demonstrates the carefree life of a child and it just warms your heart. Miyazaki is really a child at heart. Like in Princess Mononoke, he uses Japanese spirit legends, like Totoro or the soot spirits. This film is so loved in fact that, in Japan, there is a recreation of the house that the sisters live in built in a theme park. The characters are so believable and touching, but ultimately it is Totoro who steals the show and becomes the main focus.
The only problem that I had watching this film, and I'm sure some people may want to agree here, is that it drags on for too long. But, if for you, like it is for me, this is the only problem, then you'll love this film.
There are some interesting points about this movie. Other interesting facts are that for the English dub of the film, they casted the Fanning sisters (Dakota and Elle) to play Satsuki and Mei. Totoro's name comes from Mei mispronouncing Troll (To-ro-ru) in Japanese. The original story had only one girl, but they decided it was too hard and made it two girls.
Totoro is definitely one of the great-animated films around.
~ The Wolf
