elegant simplicity, far more than "just a children's movie"

Rating: 10/10 (2 March 2003)

Miyazaki Hayao is a master, and this is one of his best. This film has a charm that transcends age. Watch subtitled for yourself and dubbed with the whole family to appreciate a wider spectrum of the director's vision. While some of his later films are more complex, any one of them nonetheless can make an unsuspecting viewer reassess his notions of the value of animated films, and Joe Hisaishi's scores alone are worth the cost of a rental. Totoro is almost deceivingly simple, but its delivery is poignant and seamless.