Pom Poko (1994)

[平成狸合戦ぽんぽこ]

Director: Isao Takahata
Starring: Shincho Kokontei, Makoto Nonomura, Yuriko Ishida

Synopsis:
Shapeshifting racoon dogs fight against the land development that is taking away their homes.

Impressions:
Compared to Grave of the Fireflies, this is a far easier film to watch, as you might imagine. The environmental message is more heavy-handed than what you see in Miyazaki's films (the fourth wall break at the end is particularly hokey), but it's not so bad that it grates on the nerves. There's some sincere tragedy in the midst of all the comedy, but because it's so goofy in most places, it feels more like episodes of black comedy than anything. It's interesting that they shift between three different art styles of the tanuki, but sometimes it can be a bit jarring to the tone (which may be a deliberate choice). Now, if you're not familiar with the prominence of tanuki's testicles in their mythology, you might find yourself a bit shocked and American parents may want to think twice before showing this to their kids (depending on how sensitive you are). At times it feels like the movie's a bit longer than it ought to be, but pacing isn't too much of a problem. All told it's a good movie and is worth watching if not adding it to your collection.

Rating:
Watch It