Released along with Miyazaki’s first film for Studio Ghibli, Laputa: Castle in the Sky, the digital watercolour stylings of My Neighbours The Yamadas may seem incongruous with the studio’s more obvious output but there’s much here to enjoy as director Isao Takahata delivers up the inane and the inspired moments of family life with wit and a keen eye for detail.
Based on the manga by Hisaichi Ishii the look of the film is a muted watercolour effect, recreated from the original four panel comic strip and may seem a little childish compared to the barnstorming visual eruption of Laputa, but it is the script and the deceptive simplicity of the film where it succeeds.
To imbue a scratchy cartoon world with characters we care about is not an easy task, yet the family Yamada are charming, at times hilarious and despite their visually flimsy nature are a solid unit, allowing their arguments and reconciliations, the dog’s problems and the genuine hardship of the real world, to find a root in us and we respond with genuine affection.
It’s a must for Ghibli completists, the Blu-ray treatment is handled with care and the all digital animation looks vivid on screen. The extras on the disc are interesting but offer less of a reward than the Laputa disc.
I had not seen this film before this review, I doubt it’ll fall into my hand as readily as others of the studio when I fancy a bit of Ghibli, but I’m very glad to have seen it, not least to have my initial plummeting expectations won over.
• Storyboards
• NTV Special Program:
• Super TV “15 Months Exclusive Coverage: Secrets of My Neighbours the Yamadas”
• Behind the Microphone
• TV Spots
• Original Japanese Theatrical Trailers
• Studio Ghibli Collection Trailers
Film: [Rating:3.5/5]
Disc: [Rating:3/5]
My Neighbours The Yamadas is out on Blu-ray and DVD on the 9th of May
