Ponyo Trailer Released
Apple now hosts the first official trailer for Disney’s domestic theatrical release of Ponyo, Studio Ghibli’s 2008 film Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea. Frank Marshall, producer on the English dubbed version of the film, has confirmed for Sci Fi Wire that the English adaptation was “tweaked” for American audiences with the blessing and consultation of director Hayao Miyazaki and original producer Toshio Suzuki. A literally translated subtitled edition of the film will be released on American DVD. Ponyo will hit American theaters on August 14.
To be fair, I have to admit that Liam Neeson’s voice does fit Ponyo’s father, Fujimoto. But even this short trailer reveals major alterations from the original Japanese script. In fact, the US trailer suggests that Fujimoto’s attitude has been given a complete 180° turnaround. Lisa’s personality also seems altered, but she doesn’t have enough dialogue in the trailer to confirm the change.
Source: Affenheimtheater & Anime News Network
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*My* concern is that it’s another one of those “let’s just show the action scenes and hope people aren’t confused”-type ads we saw for Howl and Princess Mononoke. Considering how Lasseter handled the marketing for his Pixar stuff, I’d figure he’d use the same approach for Ponyo.
The US trailer truly gives the impression that the film is about some sort of impending catastrophe that only Ponyo can prevent, which is absolutely not what the original Japanese film is about. The original Japanese film is a very simple and lighthearted film with only a bare minimum of conflict at the end, similar to Tonari no Totoro. The US trailer creates the impression that such a simple and light story isn’t substantial enough to satisfy American viewers, however.
Honestly, like I said in my blog a bit. I really just think Disney’s going in for the easy kill and riding off of the good work of Miyazaki. That guy’s a friggin dynamo. Like seriously, he hand does everything! Disney’s hardly done an anime in forever…but whatever. Anyways, I’m looking forward to the film. Hopefully it’ll be as good as the other Miyazaki films 😛
And yeah, you’re right, the American trailer does do that….
They completely change the story line, why do they do this, its like saying ” we’re America the world police” why couldn’t they just leave the heartwarming story it originally is.