By now you will have read that this is one of the most fantastic animations of all time.

However, may I suggest that you do your utmost to purchase the original Japanese version and watch it with subtitles, rather than with the silly dubbed American voices.

It takes on a whole new character watching it in the original Japanese.

This morning I watched this film with my 2 daughters who are 3 and 7 (I'm 45).We all really enjoyed it and I think we were all touched by its magic. I've seen the film many times before and yet it still continues to delight. When I think of some of my favourite artists and artifacts, David Lynch, Mark E Smith, David Cronenberg, Einsturzende Neubauten, Andre Tarkovsky, Nic Roeg, The Wire, The Sopranos, Metal Box, Robert Aickman, M.R. James, William Golding, Taxi Driver, Philip Guston, Frank Auerbach, Dennis Potter.........I ask myself (only briefly) should I be liking a film so squarely aimed at children? Absolutely, as the beauty of its construction and the mystery of its content are equal to any of those already mentioned.

So if you're reading this and you're anywhere past your adolescence, don't hesitate, buy it.

In this era it is fashionable to create all animation on the pc. When Mr. Miyazaki made this movie every cell was handpainted! The end result is a thing of beauty and warmth. Not only is the animation of a superior quality, the human messages he subtly gets through have such important meaning. His characterisation is gentle and easy-going and it's impossible not to fall in love with the people and the environment. The children demonstrate strength, pride and purity, which always brings a tear to my eye. Mr. Miyazaki has always featured the importance of nature in his films and it adds so lovingly to the atmosphere. The message in this movie can only be good for all to receive.
The only downside to not speaking Japanese is that the US dubbed voice actors really can't compare to the original Japanese voice ators. I really do recommend watching this movie in it's original Japanese and have English subtitles.
I have loved Totoro for many years and share the love with my daughter, and always will. This is a movie I hope she will one day share with her children and so on.

I love Miyazaki, but because I always thought this specific movie was more children oriented, I never really felt the desire to watch it. Now that I have, it's my favorite Miyazaki movie yet.

I found 'My Neighbor Totoro' a bit "lighter" than most of his movies, which in no way makes it less fantastic. The story is quite simple, it follows the lives of two girls, Satsuki and Mei, who move to a small house in a rural area, together with their father, so as to be closer to the hospital where their sick mother is recovering. While playing and exploring the new area, Mei comes across very mysterious creatures, and ends up meeting Totoro. The movie is mostly about their friendship.

I have to say it's one of the sweetest and most beautiful movies I've ever watched. It made me giggle like a little girl and although it might first seem primarily aimed at children (like I thought before I watched it), I really think it's good for all ages. Very magical, and still "strange" enough that it can hold your full attention (come on, a "catbus"?).

Needless to say, I really, really recommend both this movie.

***

DVD:
SOUND: Original Japanese, dubbed English.
SUBTITLES: Japanese and English.
EXTRAS: Complete storyboards - Get an insider look at the film's artistry; Original Japanese Theatrical Trailer; Textless Opening and Closing Credits; Studio Ghibli Trailer Reel.

I was hoping to get a great fairytale like story with a touch of darknes, but this story was much more childish, and I was a bit dissapointet.