Early work of a later master.

Rating: 5/10 (6 December 2011)

You won't see the brilliance of some of the later Miyazaki films ("Spirited Away", "Kiki Delivery Service", "Howl's Moving Castle", etc.) in this early (1988) Studio Ghibli production. Some of the trademark Miyazaki visually arresting elements are there - particularly the fantastic catbus. His mastery of artistic representations of natural elements (rainstorms, waves, etc.) which made "Spirited Away" and "Ponyo" such true works of art are here only in a pale reflection. "Tonari No Totoro" also does not delve into epic storytelling of war and environmental collapse as the later works do but does tell an mildly uplifting child's story of coping with sickness and displacement using the power of imagination. In short, if you are already a fan of Miyazaki, you should see the film to round out your experience. If not eschew this one in favor of his later more mature work.