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Favorite Miyazaki Film

PostPosted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 7:12 am
by TWWK
While I best this has been done before, I still wanted to see everyone's opinions on which Hayao Miyazaki film in their favorite.

While I think Princess Mononoke is probably his best, I'd have to say that my favorite Miyazaki film is probably My Neighbor Totoro. There have been few films that I can rewatch as many times and which bring me such joy as that one. A super close second would be a tie between Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke and Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind.

What about for the rest of you?

PostPosted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 8:46 am
by ich1990
The Castle of Cagliostro is simply the most fun movie I have seen in recent memory. It easily takes top spot among what I have seen of Miyazaki's work. No random black ooze or "tattoo your brain" strength environmental messages even!

PostPosted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 8:58 am
by Atria35
Spirited Away. Kiki's Delivery Service pulls a close (very VERY close) second, and Nausicaa is number 3.

PostPosted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 10:30 am
by Mr. Hat'n'Clogs
Definitely Spirited Away. Movie gives me a big grin every time I watch it.

PostPosted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 11:32 am
by TWWK
ich1990 (post: 1430823) wrote:The Castle of Cagliostro is simply the most fun movie I have seen in recent memory. It easily takes top spot among what I have seen of Miyazaki's work. No random black ooze or "tattoo your brain" strength environmental messages even!


I feel like I have to watch that one even more now...I watched the first 10 minutes on Netflix, but just haven't had time to finish it. After seeing Porco Rosso a few months back, it's the last one I haven't watched...

PostPosted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 12:33 pm
by rocklobster
I can't pick just one. I like all his movies, actually. Yes, even The Cat Returns, which I thought was only ok.

PostPosted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 1:20 pm
by Midori
This is a very difficult choice. I went ahead and picked Castle In the Sky, if only for its fantastic music. I almost picked Castle of Cagliostro. I wasn't aware that one was Miyazaki, but it makes a lot of sense now that I realize it.

PostPosted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 1:25 pm
by Cloud500
rocklobster (post: 1430846) wrote:I can't pick just one. I like all his movies, actually. Yes, even The Cat Returns, which I thought was only ok.


The Cat Returns wasn't a Miyazaki film...

PostPosted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 1:32 pm
by TheSubtleDoctor
Mononoke Hime. It just edges out Lupin III for me. In addition to the nostalgia factor (it was the first anime DVD I ever purchased, all the way back on my 17th birthday), I think MH is Miyazaki's grand epic. I never felt clubbed about the head with an environmentalist message, though I recognize one is present. Perhaps my vision is too rose-tinted, but MH feels less like a slap on the wrist and more like the mythology of some alternate Earth.

PostPosted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 2:14 pm
by battletech
What a hard poll to answer. Next you will ask me what my favorite dessert is. I had to go with Nausicaa because it the one I remember the most.

PostPosted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 3:19 pm
by FllMtl Novelist
'Fraid I've only seen Whisper of the Heart, and that one's not on the list. :/

PostPosted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 3:50 pm
by blkmage
That's because it's not a Miyazaki movie. ლ(╹‿╹ლ)

PostPosted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 3:54 pm
by FllMtl Novelist
Oh! Okay. For some reason I thought it was...

EDIT: Thanks, Mech! It was my mistake. XD

PostPosted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 5:11 pm
by mechana2015
It's a studio Ghibli movie. It's a common mistake to presume Ghibli=Miyazaki, and while he has been responsible for a large portion of their movies, at least as known on the American market, they have had other directors for well known movies including Whisper of the Heart and The Cat Returns.

http://www.christiananime.net/showthread.php?t=57010 <<has more detail on who's who at Ghibli.

PostPosted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 5:46 pm
by steenajack
I love all his films, but Castle in the Sky has always stood out to me...as did Howl's Moving Castle and Spirited Away. :D!

PostPosted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 5:50 pm
by TWWK
TheSubtleDoctor (post: 1430857) wrote:Mononoke Hime. It just edges out Lupin III for me. In addition to the nostalgia factor (it was the first anime DVD I ever purchased, all the way back on my 17th birthday), I think MH is Miyazaki's grand epic.

My first DVD purchase, too!!! I bought it before I realized what anime was.

PostPosted: Sat Oct 16, 2010 11:04 am
by Sheol777
Totoro is great to me because it establishes a mood without a lot of dialog. It has a lot of whimsical scenes that inspire.

Yeah, nothing really happens, but it is more of an atmosphere then a huge story.

PostPosted: Sat Oct 16, 2010 2:56 pm
by Blitzkrieg1701
Very VERY hard to pick just one, but I'd have to give Castle of Cagliostro. The one thing that consistently disappoints me about Miyazaki films is the pacing, and Cagliostro is probably the most brisk of the bunch.

PostPosted: Sat Oct 16, 2010 3:30 pm
by Radical Dreamer
I think I am the only person in this thread who finds it incredibly easy to pick just one. XD Castle in the Sky, bar none. XD That's the only Miyazaki movie I've seen where I didn't feel like the middle was dragging too much. XD That's probably just me, but yeah, that one is definitely his best IMO. XD

PostPosted: Sat Oct 16, 2010 3:44 pm
by Midori
Can I vote for my four-year-old nephew? He's watched Kiki's Delivery Service at least 50 times.

PostPosted: Sat Oct 16, 2010 5:12 pm
by Ella Edric
I loved Spirited Away. It was a masterpiece and the art was amazing. The whoe feel of the movie was definately different from any other I've seen.

PostPosted: Sat Oct 16, 2010 5:32 pm
by Blitzkrieg1701
Radical Dreamer (post: 1431486) wrote:I think I am the only person in this thread who finds it incredibly easy to pick just one. XD Castle in the Sky, bar none. XD That's the only Miyazaki movie I've seen where I didn't feel like the middle was dragging too much. XD That's probably just me, but yeah, that one is definitely his best IMO. XD


If it weren't for Castle of Cagliostro, this would have probably been my vote too.

PostPosted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 8:27 pm
by Adie
I love all of his movies, but Castle in the Sky was the first one I saw, so I have a special attachment to it. I guess that one would have to be my favorite.

PostPosted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 9:37 pm
by Warrior 4 Jesus
Nice easy question to answer. Not! I love them all, except Pom Poko. My absolute favourite would have to be My Neighbor Totoro, then Spirited Away. I've never had a problem with the pacing of any Hayao Miyzakai or Studio Ghibli movie, except the middle of Lupin III: Castle of Cagliostro.

PostPosted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 4:32 am
by rocklobster
The first one I ever saw (and purchased) was Kiki's Delivery Service. It was the fact that Phil Hartman was in the dub that attracted me. He was perfect for Gigi. It's so sad he's been dead for so long.

PostPosted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 4:50 pm
by Cadence
Although it is a really hard choice for me, I think that Princess Mononoke is probably my favorite Miyazaki film, though My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away are not far behind.
TheSubtleDoctor (post: 1430857) wrote:I never felt clubbed about the head with an environmentalist message, though I recognize one is present.
I don't think I have ever met someone who agrees with me on this topic before. +5 awesome points for you, SubtleDoc. I admit I didn't even notice the environmental message in the movie until I'd watched it several times; I had way too much fun chewing on the other themes. Even now when I watch it, the environmental message sticks out far less to me than others present in the film.

Oh, and Joe Hisaishi's score for this film is absolutely gorgeous.

PostPosted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 5:27 pm
by ClosetOtaku
For Miyazaki, it's Totoro. For Ghibli, it's Omohide Poro Poro.

PostPosted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 6:51 pm
by Warrior 4 Jesus
Has Only Yesterday made it to American shores yet?

PostPosted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 8:35 pm
by TWWK
Warrior 4 Jesus (post: 1431857) wrote:Has Only Yesterday made it to American shores yet?


No it hasn't!!! :(

I've been dying to watch that one for years...I have a feeling that it's going to be one of my very favorite films. Come on, Disney!!!

PostPosted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 9:20 pm
by AnimeGirl
"Spirited Away"

Tha film is just a MASTERPIECE! I almost wish it was an OVA series instead of a movie, it was that awesome!