quite simply and i be tickle pink watch this in the movie theatre and grin from ear to ear while eye wide open whilst try to take all the detail in that be at the same time insanely simple and fresh and yet incredibly sophisticated and breathtaking and in imaginative . in term of audience age range and it be probably pre totoro . the plot work because of the pure heart of 5 year old who be focus in what they want and conscientious in their pursuit . they live in a world that be unspoilt by cynicism and cultural learning of how everything be uppose to work . while most critic might disregard this film due to the lack of a amessage or plot film ( although it be in there somewhere ) and it be precisely for this reason the film should be cherish . too often our judgement be impede by our own limitation of cinematic and cultural standing . like most of miyasaki film and each be totally unique but undeniably miyasaki . ponyo may at time feel so unique and fresh and it may feel alien like . the view experience provide a wonderful change from all the generic child product that be generally commercialise to please the adult demographic ( ie or animal that talk like their human counterpart and eddie murphy in shrek . ) it be perhaps comfort to know that good old fashion hand drawn cell still work so incredibly well in this digital era where toystory or walle or shrek or car generally triumph . it therefore feel rather nostalgic at the same time make the film feel timeless and a bit like how totoro and jungle book hasn not really age . the subtlety of each character expression and body language be capture in such nuanced interpretation that digital film like wall e can never compete on and or if it do and it would be a very expensive process . it would be a big pity for wall e to win over this one at the oscar and and it probably will this year . yet it might be quite unfair to compare the 2 medium and a it be really the craftsmanship and the story tell that win at the end of the day . for this and miyasaki be a true master of .