Matialth
Good concept, poorly executed.
Dynamixor
The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.
Hadrina
The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful
Horst in Translation ([email protected])
"Panda kopanda" is a Japanese 35-minute film from almost 45 years ago. It is a collaboration by director Isao Takahata and writer Hayao Miyazaki, two of Japan's finest animation filmmakers of the last 50 years. Obviously, they were still fairly young when this came out. The story is about a little girl who is alone after her grandma leaves and first she meets a panda cub and then the cub's father and the two become a harmonic family. Some comedic drama ensues when the girl has to go back to school and the little panda causes all kinds of mayhem on the school area, especially the cafeteria. And in the end, the big panda daddy is told that he has to return to the zoo, but they cannot make a movie where the little girl is alone in the end again, can they? Watch for yourself. I recommend this movie. It was a funny watch most of the time, even if the big talking panda was pretty awkward occasionally. The girl was animated nicely and a delight to watch with all her energy. If you enjoyed this one, check out the sequel as well. It's also under 40 minutes long. Both films are probably only for very young audiences, or for those young at heart. Thumbs up.
emasterslake
This is an anime of 2 TV movies about a girl and 2 pandas made back in the early 70s. Done by 2 Master filmmakers: Isao Takahata(Grave of the Firflies, Only Yesterday, Pom Poko, and My Neighbors the Yamadas) directed it. And Hayao Miyazaki(Nausicaa, My Neighbor Totoro, Porco Rosso, Mononoke, Spirited Away, etc.) wrote it/animation key/screen played it.It's known to be Miyazaki's promo to My neighbor Totoro, instead of a big furry forest spirit, it's a big panda bear. This all has to do with a little girl now living by herself till she encounters a small Panada and a big Panda which she decides to keep them as her own family.The animation is well done for an anime from the 70s. Once you watch it you'll be surprised this anime was actually written by the Famed Hayao Miyazaki. The story of this anime didn't even looked like it was done by Miyazaki. It doesn't have much of his usual trademarks he'd often put in his films.I wouldn't blame him for not putting too much effort in writing an anime about Pandas, since this is back when he did TV anime and before he moved to doing Anime movies. Just this one isn't as memorable as his other works.Overrole it's decent for one of Miyazaki's earlier works before he did Castle of Cagliostro. Recommended for all ages, the Big Panda smokes a pipe, but there's nothing too offending, perfectly safe for little kids to watch.Only flaw is it might give kids a wrong idea about burglars are fun to have and it's OK to stay home alone. So you parents out there make sure they don't get any ideas that burglars and staying home alone is fun.
freakus
This is a very cute little film. The animation is limited but elegant, the characters are very appealing (The Papa in particular is an interesting Proto-Totoro figure) and the story is very easy for young ones to follow. Adults will not really find much of interest unless the are real Miyazaki complete-ists like myself. And the song will stick in your brain.
nmx
This endearing tale is a fine example of Hayao Miyazaki's lighter writing. Papa (papanda) really elevates the amusement....and the theme song is perfectly suited.
