The Inventor of Pom Poko - Renegade Animation #121
In this episode, Captain Kaye and the Animation Guru discuss The Inventor, and continue the Ghibli Journey with Pom Poko!
What’s going on, everyone? This is your Captain speaking, and I have some good news! As of today, the 2023 Writers’ Strike has ended, and a new deal has been ratified. Now, what does this have to do with the two films that Cameron and I discussed on this podcast? Honestly, not all that much, aside from the fact that they are two prime examples that art made by the human hand is far more valuable than anything “created” by generative A.I. Without further ado, please tune into the podcast to hear the full discussion!
Pom Poko
I’ll admit that I went into this movie with the wrong mindset. Because while this is technically Isao Takahata’s “weakest” film that he’s directed for Ghibli, it’s still packed with plenty of substance. Sure, it may be difficult at times to take its serious themes critiquing gentrification and deforestation seriously when juxtaposed with its odd sense of humor. However, if you get onto the film’s wavelength, it’s an overall enjoyable experience.
“While considered to be Takahata's "weakest" film and it has its flaws, Pom Poko delivers a poignant pro-nature "historical" drama about a group of tanuki that must save their land against the humans.“ -The Animation Guru
The Inventor
As I mentioned above, a movie as wonderful as this could only have been made by human hands. It’s a gorgeous combination of stop-motion and traditional 2D animation that celebrates the brilliance of Leonardo da Vinci. The film has an incredible voice cast that includes Stephen Fry, Matt Berry, Daisy Ridley, and Marion Cotillard. Stylistically, it feels reminiscent of those classic Rankin/Bass specials, but more refined for a modern audience. I only wish they committed more to making this a musical if that’s what they were going for, but the score by Alex Mandel was so gorgeous that it ultimately didn’t matter.
“What feels like a spiritual successor to the Rankin-Bass specials of the past, The Inventor is a delightful tale of a famous artist wanting to learn about life and what makes the human soul work. A charming experience that is elevated by a great mix of 2D and stop-motion animation and a likable cast including Stephen Fry as DaVinci himself.“ -The Animation Guru
That’ll do it for this episode! Thank you all for joining us! Please visit https://entertainmentcommunityfund.org/ and donate under the designation of Film and Television if you wish to support those that are effected by the 2023 SAG-AFTRA Strikes!
In this episode, Captain Kaye, The Animation Guru, and the Crazy Lemur discuss the 2026 Anime Seasonal Drop!