Movie Review: Pom Poko
Image taken from Amazon.com
Director: Isao Takahata
A Studio Ghibli Film
Summary from the DVD: "The Raccoons of the Tama Hills are being forced from their homes by the rapid development of houses and shopping malls. As it becomes harder to find food and shelter, they decide to band together and fight back. The Raccoons practice and perfect the ancient art of transformation until they are even able to appear as humans.
"In often hilarious ways, the Raccoons use their powers to try to scare off the advancement of civilization. But will it be enough? Or will the Raccoons learn how to live in balance with the modern world?"
My Thoughts: A very beautiful, sad, story. Pom Poko is based during the very real Tama Hills development in Japan, and is told from the very unique (and untrue) view of a Raccoon named Shoukichi, and his friends, as they attempt (and fail) to save their home. I believe the summary says it all, but I might add that while the story is very sad, it is also very lighthearted, and very funny. Very, very funny.
I enjoyed Takahata's style very much, I would go so far as to say the artwork and story line of Pom Poko is worthy of director Hayao Miyazaki. I would go into great depth about this, but in this case I think the film would speak better for itself. It is an amazing piece of art.