Pom Poko Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Pom Poko" is a near-perfect representation of Studio Ghibli's visually enchanting film, remastered in 1080p/AVC MPEG-4. Disney has maintained a faithful adherence to the original look by preserving the film's original color palette and texture without resorting to modern contrast boosting or noise reduction. The watercolor hues, affecting primaries, and deep blacks vividly bring the story's world to life and evoke the immersive charm characteristic of Takahata's fable. Details are meticulously maintained, with clean, well-defined line art and resolved, painterly background textures. The encode stands out for its consistency, showing no signs of significant macroblocking, banding, aliasing, errant noise, or ringing throughout the film.

Moreover, "Pom Poko" impressively conceals its age, with visuals that seem as though they were crafted recently rather than two decades ago. The intricate details of the forest's initial warm and inviting ambiance transform appropriately with the narrative, showcasing lifeless earthy tones during scenes of deforestation. The meticulous attention to visual quality is evident as occasional white specks are the only notable age-related flaws, which are minor and infrequent. Despite these minimal imperfections, the print remains in immaculate condition without any substantial scratches or damage. Sharp line definitions and vibrant background imagery make this a standout example of traditional animation's potential, showcasing why Studio Ghibli remains a beloved mainstay when Disney has largely stepped away from producing traditionally animated films.

The Blu-ray release of "Pom Poko" offers a robust audio presentation with English, Japanese, and French DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo tracks. The DTS-HD Master Audio in both English and Japanese delivers a solid lossless experience, where voices are clear and intelligible, and the film’s score is well-balanced. Dialogues, especially during chaotic group scenes and narration sequences, remain sharp and never feel crowded, while sound effects are strong, particularly during human-tanuki confrontations. Although a 5.1 audio track would enhance the experience, this 2.0 mix is commendable for its clarity and volume.

Both the English and Japanese tracks successfully draw listeners into the world of "Pom Poko" with carefully prioritized soundscapes. Despite lacking LFE support and rear speaker activity, the tracks accomplish what is needed, capturing the essence of Takahata's playful visuals and enriching the film’s auditory appeal. While minor changes in Disney's English dub and some clarity issues in songs by tanuki are noted, the overall presentation remains immersive.

The absence of aggressive digital clean-up ensures a faithful audio-visual experience. Additionally, the inclusion of two English subtitle tracks—one with captions for the hearing impaired—alongside a French subtitle option, showcases Disney’s commitment to accessibility. Both English subtitle options are direct translations from the Japanese, avoiding a mere transcript of the dubbed audio. In conclusion, the lossless audio formats and thoughtful subtitle handling enhance the overall listening experience for Ghibli enthusiasts.

The Blu-ray release of "Pom Poko" delivers an impressive array of extras, effectively preserving the original features from the DVD release but presented in HD quality. These special features enhance the viewing experience by offering a deeper insight into the film's creation and promotion. The original Japanese storyboards display the entire movie with conceptual visuals, accompanied by a two-channel Dolby Digital Japanese audio track and English subtitles. Additionally, the set includes a collection of four original Japanese trailers that vary in length and tone, showcasing the film’s promotional journey.

Extras included in this disc:

• Original Japanese Storyboards: The entire film in storyboard format with Japanese audio and English subtitles.
• Original Japanese Trailers: Four trailers of varying lengths and tones.

"Pom Poko," directed by Isao Takahata, is a uniquely eccentric Ghibli film that explores traditional Japanese folklore through an environmental lens. The narrative revolves around a clan of tanuki (raccoon dogs) who use their shapeshifting abilities to combat the rapid urban development encroaching on their habitat. Known for their prominent scrota, which turn into various objects, including parachutes and war clubs, these anthropomorphic animals can be a distraction for Western audiences. Despite its PG rating, parents might find some scenes unsuitable for younger viewers. Featuring a remarkable English dub spearheaded by Maurice LaMarche and J.K. Simmons, "Pom Poko" blends humor, tragedy, and timeless folklore.

The film is anything but conventional. It diverges far from typical animated storytelling, weaving in flights of wild imagination and fourth-wall-breaking antics, embodying the heart and spirit of Ghibli with abandon. As the tanuki’s plight intensifies, the story explores both their whimsical attempts to thwart human progress and the deeper emotional struggle associated with losing their ancestral lands. Hence, "Pom Poko" is as much a cheerful escapade as it is a somber parable about nature's fight against industrialization. The fine balance of lighthearted moments and poignant reality provides a powerful commentary that resonates deeply.

Nevertheless, "Pom Poko" can come off as overtly didactic. Takahata's environmental message is undeniably earnest but occasionally heavy-handed. Some scenes depicting the tanuki’s violent actions against humans push the boundaries of its PG rating. Ultimately, though, through striking narration and a juxtaposition of comic and tragic elements, the film succeeds in crafting a memorable story that remains relevant today. Both peculiar and heartwarming, "Pom Poko" solidifies its place as an indelible part of the Ghibli canon.

Disney's Blu-ray release of "Pom Poko" serves as a noteworthy addition to any Studio Ghibli collection, particularly for enthusiasts and collectors who have eagerly awaited its high-definition debut. This Blu-ray edition excels in the audio-visual department with a near-perfect video transfer that maintains the film's intricate and vibrant animation, capturing every whimsical detail in stunning clarity. The disc also features two robust DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 tracks in both Japanese and English, ensuring the auditory experience is equally captivating. While somewhat light on extras—offering primarily a feature-length presentation of the original storyboards—these limitations do not detract significantly from the overall quality of the release.

"Pom Poko" itself is a uniquely enchanting fable within the Ghibli oeuvre, marked by its blend of humor, heartache, and ecological commentary. Although it might not be as universally celebrated as other Ghibli masterpieces, it stands out for its imaginative storytelling and delightful, albeit unconventional, characters. The film's use of tanuki mythology, including their magical scrota, might surprise Western audiences unfamiliar with these cultural elements. However, this eccentricity adds to the film's distinct charm rather than detracting from it. Given its complex themes and whimsical narrative style, it may not be the ideal starting point for those new to Studio Ghibli; beginners might prefer starting with more straightforward films like "Porco Rosso."

Conclusion: Pom Poko is a strange but strangely intoxicating fable that, if nothing else, delights in its whimsical delirium. It's not standard Ghibli fare, yet feels right at home among the studio's most imaginative adventures, telling a story as amusing as it is heartbreaking, as boundary-defying as it is relevant, and as memorable as it is unique. It's not necessarily for children (Western parents may be particularly surprised by some of its content), but it's no less worthwhile. Disney's Blu-ray release is strong too, with a faithful remaster and video transfer, a pair of solid DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 tracks, and a feature-length presentation of the film's original storyboards. Additional extras would have been appreciated, but no matter. Pom Poko has never looked or sounded better than it does here.