The Wonderful World of Puss 'N Boots (1969) Review

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(More customer reviews)If THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF PUSS 'N BOOTS was theatrically released in today's era, it probably wouldn't hold a candle to any of America's other animated features and disappear without a trace. But this is a Japanese Anime, and, in its native land, it was a huge box office success. Titled as "Nagagutsu o Haita Neko", the production was released in 1969, and the title character, Puss 'N Boots himself, named Perro (or Perrault), became a mascot character for the animation studio, Toei. An interesting fact about this film is that Anime pioneer Hayao Miyazaki is credited as one of the animators -- in fact, he was responsible for the key animation of the climactic, hang-on-to-the-edge-of-your-seat finale. Fans of Miyazaki's work will notice how similar it is to the climax of THE CASTLE OF CAGLIOSTRO.
Compared to today's standards, the animation is poor, but at the same time interesting to look at. The entire story is expanded, altered, and spiced up similar to a Disney treatment of a classic fairy tale, but its artistic style is somewhere between a Hanna-Barbera or a Warner Bros. cartoon. This almost sounds like a drawback, but it provides for some silly, funny, and occasionally slapstick moments. It also feels perfect for this kind of movie, even if at times it screams Disney. (Not that I think of it as a bad thing; I'm rather fond of Disney movies even to this day. ^_^)
Don't expect a faithful retelling of the classic fairy tale PUSS 'N BOOTS -- this adaptation adds -- and sometimes embellishes -- a lot of cute, funny elements which make it a lot of fun. The hero, Perro, a cat musketeer pursued by three chief-of-police felines (he committed the ultimate "crime" of saving a mouse's life), befriends a young miller, Pierre; soon the two are off to seek their fortune. With clever scheming (and a lot of tall "tail"-telling) the cat manages to help Pierre pose as the Prince of Carabas in order to woo the lovely Princess Rosa. But the wicked ogre, Lucifer, also wants Rosa, and kidnaps her on the night of the full moon. Perro and Pierre set off to Lucifer's creepy, macabre castle to save her and outsmart her captor. Given that this is a fairy-tale, the ending is very predictable -- yet watching it unfold is only half the fun. Instead of just simply killing Lucifer off by having Perro pull the "trick him into changing into something edible" trick, the script (written by Hisashi Inoue and Morihisa Yamamoto) extends the climax into a series of chases, slapstick gags, and, as mentioned, a final confrontation scene which is breathtaking to watch, even if the artwork is dated. (Incidentally, director Kimio Yabuki was also responsible for another fairy-tale Anime, the little-known SWAN LAKE.)
I understand that there are Disney haters in the world, and will probably look for things to complain about this loose retelling; particularly the comic mice sidekicks and four incidental musical numbers. But there are others (like me) who won't mind at all -- especially if they're fans of Disney and their adaptations of fairy tales. The mice provide a lot of humor, and, although the lyrics in the English version sound awkward and uninspired, the songs never feel intrusive and are fun to bounce to. (The only exception is Princess Rosa's number, which is as slow and as lovely [but not sappy] as any romantic ballad.)
THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF PUSS 'N BOOTS was given a limited U.S. release to the Saturday-morning kids' market, along with other productions Toei produced, including JACK AND THE WITCH and TREASURE ISLAND. The English dubbing was produced by Titan Productions, Inc., with direction by Fred Ladd. Available from HI-TOPS VIDEO (where I first saw the movie) as well as MEDIA VIDEO and VESTRON VIDEO, the voice acting is very lively, but there are problems. For one thing, the voices, with the exception of Princess Rosa, all sound like they're being acted by one actor. (And Perro sounds, oddly, like Al Jolson.) In other words, it's not very high quality. The words don't always fit the mouth movements well, and some lines occasionally come off as stilted and a little too fast. Such flaws are probably best to be expected, since this is an early dub -- recent English track productions have far outclassed past efforts. Still, considering that this is probably the only dub of the film available in English (and that the Japanese language track has not been around in the U.S.), it's not so bad -- unless you count the occasionally sloppy lyrics in the songs and Perro's sometimes grating voice.
Unfortunately, the movie may be hard to find -- since its 1988 issue, the video has fallen badly out of print and I have heard no news of any new U.S. company planning to give it a second release. Let's hope it does happen someday. THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF PUSS 'N BOOTS may be a dated Anime when compared to more recent efforts (and U.S. folks probably may consider it too "cartoony" for their tastes). Nevertheless, it is 80 minutes of fun, laughs, and action, and a must-see for longtime history buffs, especially if they're interested in seeing traces of Miyazaki's earlier years as an animator before he became a big name. It is a great "cat's meow", indeed.

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Region 1Original Japanese LanguageOptional English Subtitles Original English dubOriginal mono soundtrackMusic and effects soundtrackCompletely restored and remastered video16 x 9 Anamorphic WidescreenOriginal 2.35:1 Aspect RatioTheatrical TrailerPhoto Gallery of rare B/W stillsRare text interviews with creatorsPero, a sword-wielding musketeer cat, is on the run! He's guilty of the ultimate crime: rescuing mice from certain doom. In hot pursuit are three bumbling police cats, trying their best to bring Pero to justice. While evading capture, Pero stumbles upon an unfortunate boy named Pierre, who is mistreated by his two greedy and selfish brothers. Pero soon convinces Pierre that he is better off leaving this deprived life behind him. The two set off together to find their fortune, and hear of an announcement from the castle: The King is looking for a husband for his beautiful daughter, Princess Rose. However, the dastardly Lucifer arrives and spoils the plan when he manages to kidnap the Princess! Culminating in a thrilling chase scene on the steeples of Lucifer's castle, Puss 'n Boots is an action-packed anime classic! Originally released in 1969 in Japan, and later released as "The Wonderful World of Puss 'n Boots" in the US. The film was directed by Kimio Yabuki (Swan Lake), and features key animation by Hayao Miyazaki (My Neighbor Totoro, Castle of Cagliostro, among others). Loosely based on Charles Perrault's original book "Le Maître Chat Ou Le Chat Botté", the film is beautifully scored by Seiichiro Uno (Jack and the Witch). This DVD release features the original Japanese language version available for the first time ever in the US. It also includes the very rare Fred Ladd English dubbed version. Puss 'n Boots has never been seen in its original theatrical aspect in North America until now!

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My Neighbor Totoro Review

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(More customer reviews)This is not only one of my favorite childrens films, it's one of my favorite films period. This movie is truly magical. It achieves what Disney movies never do -- a wonderful story without the need to resort to evil villains or wise-cracking side kicks. In fact, two of the things I find most striking and refreshing about My Neighbor Totoro is the use of images rather than dialogue to propel the plot and the slower, almost contemplative, pacing of the action. (This is one children's movie that won't blare from your TV or yammer at your children!) The first time I saw this movie I watched a friend's pirated VHS tape in Japanese. I was instantly mesmerized and was completely able to follow the story, despite the fact that I did not understand a word the characters said.
And don't be put off because it is "japanese animation." This is not your father's japanese animation. The images of the tranquil countryside are sumptuous. Miazaki's attention to the little details of life, like a leaf floating in a stream or raindrops tapping an umbrella, evoke the simpler, purer times of childhood. The children's discovery of the totoro spirits in the old camphor tree recalls a time in every child's life when magic seems possible in the mundane world. As with other Miyazaki films, there is a thrilling flying sequence. However, this film is more appropriate for younger viewers than most of his other works, some of which are decidedly adult in nature despite the fact that they are animated.
As the mother of a toddler, I really appreciate the refusal to rely on cliche villians to keep the plot moving. However, I should warn other parents considering this video that the conflicts used to keep the plot moving -- the children's discovery of and search for the dust bunny and totoro spirits and Mei's desire to see her sick mother in the hospital which causes her to lose her way in the countryside -- might be upsetting to the littlest viewers without some parental company and discussion. Otherwise, I wholeheartedly recommend this movie whether you're 2 or 200.

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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

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Peter and the Wolf Review

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(More customer reviews)"Peter And The Wolf" (2008)
Technically stunning, and thematically dark, this amazing adaptation of Sergei Prokoviev's classic children's piece, features marvelous stop-motion animation from director Suzie Templeton.
The film places "Peter" squarely back into its Russian origins, but rather than an idealized rural-agrarian past, it places the story in a more modern setting, amid glum, drab, rundown shacks and tattered forests, a grim vision of a Soviet-era or post-Soviet Eastern Europe, complete with gun-toting thugs (the hunters of the original story here seem more like cold-hearted militiamen) and the nearby village appears as a rundown, dismal cinderblock outpost. Amid this crushing gloom, Peter finds wonder and joy, unlocking a secret garden where he and his friends the bird and the duck (both crippled and unable to fly) are able to play and forget the bleakness around them.
While this may sound a bit miserable, the film itself is a marvel: the amount of work that went into this film is amazing, with Templeton devoting a full five years of her life to completing the piece. Equally engrossing are the added special features, including a making-of video and interview with Templeton and her cohorts that gives a sense of the sheer scope of their project, and the level of detail that went into this production. While the film itself may be a bit dark for smaller children, it will enthrall older kids and adults alike... This is a real class act, a film worth having and viewing for years to come. Recommended! (Joe Sixpack, Slipcue film reviews)

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Item Name: Peter and the Wolf; Studio:Magnolia Home Entertainment

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Whisper of the Heart (2006) Review

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(More customer reviews)Whisper of the heart is one of the most sensitive, heartwarming and beautiful films ever made. Based on a shojo manga by Aoi Hiiragi, Written and produced by Hayao Miyazaki and directed by Yoshifumi Kondo, whisper of the heart is a tale of self discovery and coming of age of a high school girl Shizuku who is not sure what she wants in life. A series of dramatic events bring her closer to a guy Seiji from her own school. Together they embark on a journey which will help them find their inner potentials, realize their dreams and also love for each other. Also featured in the movie is an old man who runs an antique shop stocked with amazing treasures, including a magnificient porcelain figurine "the baron" (also featured in "The cat returns). Both of these characters play an important role in the film. Though "The cat returns" is kind of follow up to "whisper" yet for some reason it was released on dvd before "whisper".
Rarely is a film as honest and realistic as whisper of the heart and that's what makes it amazingly special, charming and successful. Within its thin plot and realistic settings, whisper has its magic moments which are downright uplifting and strike a chord somewhere deep inside. The film itself is a breath of fresh air.
Whisper of the heart, though slow in pace, draws you in from the very beginning and refuses to let you go. Its a heartwarming tale which makes you feel nostalgic and helps you relive the adolescence. Except for the Shizuku's dreamy fantasy sequence, the film relies heavily on dialogues and simple and real situations. The locales and the backgrounds shown in the film are as beautiful and breathtaking as in any other ghibli film. Open spaces, beautiful countryside, deep blue sky with summer clouds, a bicycle ride atop the hill, there are numerous things and moments in the film that set the mood just right, leaving the viewer spellbound and satisfied. After a while you forget completely that you are watching an animated film. Music plays an important role in the film and is soft and relaxing though we do get lots of those silent moments too for which ghibli films are famous. Also featured in the film is John Denver's song "country roads" which makes the perfect backdrop for the film. Not to mention here, the royalty disputes which arised later, making it difficult for the movie to see an American release.
Be it character development, animation or background art of the film, attention to details is simply stunning.The incredibly detailed backgrounds of the fantasy sequences were done by Naohisa Inoue who was an established artist and a long time Miyazaki fan. Impressed by his fantasy work, Miyazaki himself invited him to work on the film. Whisper of the heart dvd released by Buena Vista in Japan includes a special documentary showcasing the dreamy artwork of the film.
Director Yoshifumi Kondo had worked on many ghibli films such as Kiki's delivery service, Grave of the fireflies and Pom poko etc, as an animator. Hayao Miyazaki, who was looking for new breed of directors for ghibli, recognised Kondo's talent in no time and gave him a chance to direct this movie. Unfortunately, whisper of the heart remains to be the first and the only film directed by Yoshifumi Kondo. Just after the release of whisper, Kondo succumbed to aneurysm. It is evident from whisper of the heart how immensely talented and sensitive director Kondo was.
Films like whisper of the heart are very rare and come once in a lifetime. Watching a film like this is an experience to behold and cherish forever.

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From the creators of the Academy Award(R)-winning SPIRITED AWAY (Best Animated Feature Film, 2002) comes a tale based on the screenplay from the legendary animator Hayao Miyazaki. During summer vacation, a schoolgirl named Shizuku, who longs to discover her true talents, observes an ordinary-looking cat riding by himself on the train. Intrigued, she decides to follow him. This chance encounter leads her to the mysterious Seiji, a boy who is determined to follow his dreams, and The Baron, a magical cat figurine who helps her listen to the whispers in her heart. Soon, Shizuku's exciting adventures carry her far beyond the boundaries of her imagination. Featuring extraordinary storytelling, enchanting animation, and an all-star voice cast, this 2-disc set will inspire dreams and warm hearts of all ages.(c) 1995 Aoi Hiiragi/Shueisha • Nibariki • GNH

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Spirited Away (2002) Review

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(More customer reviews)Spirited Away is yet another masterpiece from Japan's undisputed master of animation. Although I did not enjoy it as much as Princess Mononoke, I was more entertained by this film than by any Disney movie made in the past five years. Speaking of Disney, I thought I would clear up a few misconceptions that some people have concerning this film. Firstly, for those people who complain that Miyazaki's films (as well as other anime) are for adults, and not children, I should point out that Miyazaki has explicitly stated that Spirited was made for young girls. (in other words, Chihiro's age) This doesn't mean that the film can only be enjoyed by pre-pubescant girls (I myself am a 22 year old male); it just means that you should not go into this film expecting something geared towards adults, the way Mononoke was.
Now I have noticed several people on this site comparing Spirited to Disney. Everyone seems to agree that it is nothing like Disney, because it is scary. Some parents even go so far to say that Spirited is inappropriate for children. Let me just say that you are all both right and wrong on this issue. Spirited Away is nothing like Disney as it is NOW. However, if you look at classics like Snow White, and especially Pinocchio, you'll see that these films have much more in common with Spirited Away than with, say, Hercules, or Tarzan. As far as I'm concerned, anyone who claims that Spirited is too scary for children ought to remember what Disney used to be like. In Snow White, the wicked Queen ordered the huntsman to cut out Snow White's heart. Even more telling, in Pinocchio, the main character ends up on an island for wicked children, who are mercilessly transformed into beasts and sold into slavery. Can you honestly say that this is somehow more wholesome or less nightmarish than what goes on in Spirited? Anyone who remembers these films recognizes that Spirited Away's often nightmarish sense of morality and justice (parents being turned into pigs for their greed) is not novel to the American imagination, but something old, something many of us have clearly forgotten, even though we saw these very films as children! This harkens back to a time when Americans had a much clearer sense of morality, a much greater willingness to recognize an absolute line between right and wrong. For me, this is refreshing, for you it may not be. As for your children being scared, I agree it is a possibility. I was scared when I saw Snow White and Pinocchio, yet I enjoyed those two films immensely. Moreover, they are both considered to be undisputed classics of American animation. So to all those parents who think they can comfortably dismiss Spirited Away as some alien abomination, you had better look closer to home, because it may not be quite as alien as you thought.

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From one of the most celebrated filmmakers in the history of animated cinema comes the most acclaimed film of 2002. Hayao Miyazaki's latest triumph, filled with astonishing animation and epic adventure, is a dazzling masterpiece for the ages. It's a "wonderfully welcoming work of art that's as funny and entertaining as it is brilliant, beautiful, and deep" (Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal). SPIRITED AWAY is a wondrous fantasy about a young girl, Chihiro, trapped in a strange new world of spirits. When her parents undergo a mysterious transformation, she must call upon the courage she never knew she had to free herself and return her family to the outside world. An unforgettable story brimming with creativity, SPIRITED AWAY will take you on a journey beyond your imagination. "To enter the world of Hayao Miyazaki is to experience a kind of lighthearted enchantment that is unique to the world of animation" (Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times). It's a fantastic tale the whole family will want to experience over and over again.

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