A lot of people simply describe the film as 'cute', not giving merit to how unique and charming the film is beyond being cute. As such, I'd like to explain why I love Ponyo so much in my review, at the same time clarifying my history a bit with the film.
When I was nine years old, my grandmother rented the film to watch with my sister and I. It immediately became my new obsession, and one of the first anime I ever loved.
How my grandmother described it? "Oh, it was cute."
While I would certainly call Ponyo very cute, I'd never describe it to someone as a 'cute' movie. To me, saying "Oh, it was cute." about a kids' movie is implying that it wasn't very good, just 'cute'. Just a kids' movie, y'know?
When I was nine, a 'cute' kids' movie wouldn't have captivated me the same way that Ponyo did. I hated it when adults just turned on any random animated movie for the kids, especially ones with poor storylines, just to keep them occupied with pretty colors. I immediately recognized Ponyo as something more.
Ponyo goes far beyond the typical kids' movie. It's a spiritual successor to Totoro, as from the very beginning of the film its beautiful animation and charming child characters will captivate anyone who doesn't have a cold, dead heart.
Miyazaki's craft for capturing a viewer into a fantasy world - the same craft he mastered with Totoro - is present in Ponyo, and makes its 103-minute runtime go by fast...almost too fast.
There are very few things I could complain about in Ponyo. There is some negligent parenting in the film (very young children being left alone in a storm, reckless driving with a child in the car, etc.), but it won't really be an issue unless you're a parent. And even if you are, it's such a minor element of the film that it shouldn't affect your enjoyment other then some brief wincing.
While some people weren't a fan of the music, I loved it in both English and Japanese. Some people just can't appreciate a good ear worm. "Ponyo, Ponyo, she's a little girl...she's a little girl with a round tummy." It's nonsensical, but damn catchy.
Overall, I would highly recommend Ponyo if you're looking for a child-friendly anime, if you want to feel like a kid again, or if you simply want to have a great time with an anime.
