go toto! go hayao!

Rating: Null/10 (29 July 2004)

This is our 16-month old son's favorite movie and mine too! He asks for it constantly-- it is completely non-violent, and we don't mind letting him watch once or twice a day.
So, I have probably seen it a hundred times by now, but I am still enjoying it and seeing and hearing new details. The film respectfully portrays so many slippery nuances of childhood--powerful emotions, unexpected perceptions, and secret worlds of adventure. I think our baby might like it because it's helping him learn how to be a little kid. He loves the music, the tree, the baby girl Mei, the Dad, the catbus, and especially the totoro (although this is also the scariest part for him).
I would highly recommend this film for anyone except adolescents, who might find it sort of dull and goody-goody.