Written and directed by the acclaimed Hayao Miyazaki and first released in 1988, My Neighbor Totoro returns to the big screen courtesy of Fathom Events and GKIDS as part of Studio Ghibli Fest 2018.

My Neighbor Totoro tells the story of Satsuki and Mei, two sisters who move to the country with their father while their mother remains hospitalized. As they explore their new surroundings, they encounter a number of nature spirits, including the huge and lovable Totoro, who takes the girls on some wonderful adventures, including a ride on the magical Cat Bus. That’s a giant, multilegged, hollowed out cat with rats for lights that serves as a bus, complete with furry, 70s era shag carpeted seats.

Cat Bus, Totoro, and Satsuki. IMDb.com.

The film has all the hand drawn beauty one would expect from a Studio Ghibli/Miyazaki production. The country landscapes are beautiful, and the rickety old house the family moves into has a certain charm. The score enhances the visuals without becoming overpowering and intrusive. Technically superb work.

Totoro, Satsuki, and Mei. IMDb.com.

The film’s big shortcoming is that the story moves too slowly for my taste, particularly the first third or so. I get the idea of setting a stage and establishing a mood, but I can only watch a couple young girls run around aimlessly for so long. Totoro, of course, steals the show whenever he’s on screen, but that’s sadly not as much as I would have liked. I can see the reasons to use him sparingly. He is a mystical and powerful spirit, and it should seem like a special treat when he appears. But the story does slow to a crawl when he’s not around.

You could say My Neighbor Totoro is more mood-driven than action-driven. More interested in evoking the wonder of nature and childhood than in telling an intricate story. That’s not a bad thing, but you’ll be disappointed if you’re looking for a gripping, action-packed tale.

Overall rating: 7.5/10