Release Date (UK DVD) – 9th May 2011
Certificate (UK) – PG
Country – Japan
Runtime – 104 mins
Director – Isao Takahata
Starring – Jim Belushi, Molly Shannon, Trenton Rogers, Daryl Sabara
New on Blu-Ray this week My Neighbours the Yamadas is the latest film from the Studio Ghibli stable to be released in high definition double play format. With nearly two hours of bonus material including an NTV special program and a ‘Behind the Microphone’ feature My Neighbours the Yamadas follows in the wake of other excellent Ghibli titles including Laputa: Castle in the Sky and is a must-have purchase for any studio Ghibli fan.
‘Filmed’ as a series of vignettes, My Neighbours the Yamadas is a gentle yet heart-warming animated feature following the Yamada family as they navigate their way through the many ups and downs of life. The Yamadas are a typical family in many respects and have to deal with all the tedious activities we all have to live with on a day-to-day basis. Be it choosing what to eat for dinner, or forgetting to bring an umbrella to work, each short scene is a lovingly-drawn snapshot of family life that embodies a small essence of what it is to be alive.
What sets My Neighbours the Yamadas apart from most other studio Ghibli titles is its style. A step away from traditional Ghibli animation, My Neighbours the Yamadas is noticeable for its use of pastel shades, its use of white space, and its quirky ‘drawn’ feel. Viewers will quickly realise that this is no ordinary animated feature, and will find the fresh and innovative style compliments the film’s overall theme perfectly, leaving the viewer with a warm feeling of satisfaction as the film takes its final bow with a touching version of the popular classic ‘Que Sera Sera’.
In terms of negative points, it’s fair to say this film isn’t for everyone. Lacking the accessibility of Laputa, and the creative scope of the likes of Spirited Away, My Neighbours the Yamadas can quite legitimately be called ‘dull’ in comparison. But then, that’s a part of the whole beauty of the film. If anything the biggest criticism that can be levelled at My Neighbours the Yamadas is that it encapsulates everyday life almost too well. Sure, the film is a little on the long side, but if that’s the film’s greatest failing then there really is little else one can say about it save offer it the abundant praise it deserves.
A quirky, engaging, if in places rather sedate film, My Neighbours the Yamadas is a true ‘hidden gem’ of the film-making world. If you’re a fan of studio Ghibli then you will likely love this film. But be warned — this is anything but your ‘normal’ animated feature.
My Neighbours the Yamadas is out on Blu-ray now – order it here
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I love this movie also, as the film slowly opens I thought that it was only the introduction that was drawn that way, but soon I realize that the whole film is like that, but because the dialogues are quite amusing it made me watch the film till the end. =)
Love this anime.