Pom Poko

Studio Ghibli is famous for producing animated films that are extraordinarily imaginative and passionately heartfelt--such as the Oscar-winning 2001 Spirited Away--and this 1994 entry is a stunning example of the depths of emotion and the heights of fancy animated film can achieve. A glorious tale of the Raccoons of the Tama Hills who conspire to preserve their forests from human urban development, Isao Takahata's Pom Poko is by turns heartbreaking and hilarious as it explores the clash between nature and civilization from a nonhuman perspective that neither completely denigrates human restructuring of the natural world nor totally elevates traditional "environmental" concerns over the achievements of humanity (ex: the Raccoons adore tempura, and realize they'd never have it again without people!). Capturing the essence of animal playfulness even as it spills over into the magical--some raccoons can disguise themselves as humans--the animation is luminous and beautiful, and the film is often surprisingly frank about the realities of the battle between man and beast (as in depicting the damage a car can do to a critter scurrying across a busy road). Deeply affecting and visually mesmerizing, this double-disc, dual-language DVD set, rated PG, includes as a bonus feature an entire second version of the film, told in rough, sketched storyboards (which provide a dramatic lesson in the art of creating an animated film). Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. [Note: Takahata's My Neighbors the Yamadas is also newly available.] Aud: P. (M. Johanson) [Blu-ray/DVD Combo Review—Feb. 10, 2015—Walt Disney, 119 min., PG, Blu-ray/DVD Combo: $36.99—Making its latest appearance on DVD and debut on Blu-ray, 1994's Pom Poko features a great transfer and a DTS-HD 2.0 soundtrack on the Blu-ray disc. Extras include the original Japanese storyboard version of the film (120 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: Takahata's contemporary classic anime shines on Blu-ray.] [DVD and Blu-ray/DVD Combo Review—Feb. 6, 2018—Shout! Factory, 119 min., PG, DVD: $19.98, Blu-ray/DVD Combo: $29.95—Making its latest appearance on DVD and Blu-ray, 1994's Pom Poko features a great transfer and a DTS-HD 2.0 soundtrack. Extras include feature-length storyboards and a booklet. Bottom line: a fine re-release of this classic anime film for those who don't own the earlier Disney version.]