Critically acclaimed as one of the most delightful and charming family films ever, MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO is a stunning animated treat full of magical adventure from Hayao Miyazaki. Follow the adventures of Satsuki and her four-year-old sister Mei when they move into a new home in the countryside. To their delight, they discover that their new neighbor is a mysterious forest spirit called Totoro, who can be seen only through the eyes of a child. Totoro introduces them to extraordinary characters -- including a cat that doubles as a bus! -- and takes them on an incredible journey. Full of wonder and heart, this spectacular 2-disc set features the voice talents of Dakota Fanning and Elle Fanning. MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO is a magical experience for the whole family! © 1988 Nibariki • G
My Neighbor Totoro is that rare delight, a family film that appeals to children and adults alike. While their mother is in the hospital, 10-year-old Satsuki and 4-year-old Mei move into an old-fashioned house in the country with their professor father. At the foot of an enormous camphor tree, Mei discovers the nest of King Totoro, a giant forest spirit who resembles an enormous bunny rabbit. Mei and Satsuki learn that Totoro makes the trees grow, and when he flies over the countryside or roars in his thunderous voice, the winds blow. Totoro becomes the protector of the two sisters, watching over them when they wait for their father, and carrying them over the forests on an enchanted journey. When the children worry about their mother, Totoro sends them to visit her via a Catbus, a magical, multilegged creature with a grin the Cheshire Cat might envy.

Unlike many cartoon children, Satsuki and Mei are neither smart-alecky nor cloyingly saccharine. They are credible kids: bright, energetic, silly, helpful, and occasionally impatient. Filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki makes the viewer believe the two sisters love each other in a way no American feature has ever achieved. My Neighbor Totoro is enormously popular in Japan, and some of the character merchandise has begun to appear in America. The film has also inspired a Japanese environmental group to buy a Totoro Forest preserve in the Saitama Prefecture, where Miyazaki's film is set. --Charles Solomon

Customer Rating:
Summary: What the hell disney?
Comment: This was my favorite movie of all time when i was a little kid. Since those Disney has taken the movie and completely screwed it by re-doing the voices. If you're a true fan of the original, then do not buy this movie. It is the disney version. And if you know where i can get the original (non-disney) version i would appreciate it if you let me know.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: My favorite film
Comment: I first saw this film in 2004. I'm a voice-actor and was going to be voicing an anime series. I asked around to see what the best films and series were and, of course, Myiaskai's films were highly recommended. I instantly fell in love with this film and it started me on the journey of seeing all of the films produced by Studio Gibli. I now have a 2 year old son and bought it to share with him, although I fell in love with it as an adult. It is my favorite film of any genre (not just children's). Give it a watch, then start your own Myisaki collection!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: a wonderful first movie
Comment: For any parent who is concerned about the content of the movies and TV they allow their young children to watch, this movie is terrific. In addition to being gorgeously animated, it also replaces what is so objectionable about so many videos for young children with the following:

- family members who clearly really love each other, including sisters who occasionally bicker but without malice or bitterness
- sensitive handling of a sick and possibly dying mother -- older children will "get it", younger children won't even notice this scary plot point and can enjoy the rest of the movie
- scenes that are thrilling (a ride through the sky!) or tense (phone call from the hospital) without ever being scary
- absolutely NO sexualization of children (unlike Disney films and all their small waisted big boobed heroines)
- no bad guys
- not sappy sweet or mind numbing to parents like Barney or The Wiggles

I don't care about the dubbing issues or Disney v. Fox...all three of my children (now long outgrown this movie) LOVED this, and I think I've seen it 500 times.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: this is a review for the FULLSCREEN version
Comment: It looks like fullscreen/widescreen (disney) versions of this movie are on the same page. Neither has Japanese subtitles - both are dubbed. I caught the older, non-Disney one which is pan and scan, and found the dubbing adequate. (Some users here seem pretty unhappy about the Disney one, which I cannot comment on.) My boyfriend threatened to walk away if he was forced to watch a pan-and-scan version (if you are going to rent it, since it doesn't seem to be for sale anymore), but he did watch it and seemed to enjoy the movie anyway with no significant or obvious disadvantages.

The movie itself is great for people of all ages, but if you are thinking of showing it to a child, it helps to know if your child likes watching slightly more introspective, atmospheric movies that _don't_ crack a joke-a-minute with famous names and product tie-ins. Some kids might find this boring, but I'm sure loners and kids with bright imaginations will take to it and see the possibilities for their own creativity and wonder.

basic, basic plot: two sisters (one is about 11, the other 5) move with their father to the Japanese countryside in the 1950s to be nearer their hospitalized mother. The nearby forest contains "totoros," who are super adorable fluffy cat-owl creatures that protect the forest.

I found the animation beautiful and the pacing very refreshing from what North American animation has offered in the past decade. The totoros are winsome and an antidote to the you-know-who aggressively "cute" (but actually just irritating) sidekicks and characters that are created to sell more toys. Totoro is silent, mysterious, charming and can sell me plenty of toys just by being himself. It's a very relaxing and highly recommended experience.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: A Magical Movie
Comment: Hayao Miyazaki's movies all have a magical feel to them and My Neighbor Totoro is no exception. This animated feature follows ten year old Satsuki and her four year old sister Mei on their adventure in the Japanese countryside and encounter with the Lord of the Forest, the giant but very cute Totoro.

You can read the other reviews to find out more about the plot; in this review I want to focus on what I really liked about this movie (I also liked the plot as well, but no use retelling it here).

The animation, like all of Miyazaki's movies, is first rate. I must point out that I've seen both the original version of the DVD released in America, done by Fox Video, and the Disney version. Do yourself a favor and buy the Disney version - it is way better than the sorry Fox version. I would highly recommend watching it in the original Japanese language with subtitles (assuming you don't understand Japanese). The movie flows so much better that way and you get nuances that are bludgeoned by the English dubbing job. Even the music and the background sound effects are different, with the English version being way too heavy handed.

The Disney version also has the movie in the original widescreen aspect ratio whereas the Fox version has the pan and scan altered ratio.

As for the movie itself, Satsuki and Mei act very natural (as natural as cartoon characters can be, that is). They don't act precocious, they don't act bratty, they aren't made to be overly cute or lovable, they are simply made to be real and believable. All in all, this is a charming story with excellent production values, and I am thankful that someone released it in its original aspect ratio with the original language and soundtrack. Only this version does this great movie justice.

By the way, a bit of trivia - Ken Jennings, the Jeopardy wonder-guy, has a Totoro on his keychain for good luck.

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