Wonderful character development!

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.

The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

The animation was different but good nonetheless and although the story may be good for a lot of people I felt like I didn't enjoy it as much as if I have grown up in a environment like the one represented in the movie because I don't get all the jokes or feel identified with some aspects and this main reason is the explation to my personal low review but is still a good movie.

Going into My Neighbors the Yamadas I had zero expectations. I had never even seen the ratings recently enough to remember them. I was sad to see that there was nothing special in this movie. The plot of My Neighbors the Yamadas isn't there. Now that's not necessarily a bad thing. It works really well with movies like 'Boyhood', but with this movie it was presented in such a dull way, and it all just felt incredibly pointless. The characters aren't really existent either. Sure, they feel like a real enough family, but the movie is cut up into such small skit- like clips that there was hardly any time to even get into the characters. The movie had some funny points, but they were more caused by the sheer weirdness and nonsense that the movie was filled with over actual jokes. Overall My Neighbors the Yamadas just wasn't anything special. Combined with the excessive boredom, lack of rhyme or reason, lack of character and just lack of anything, the movie falls short of even an average movie. This was easily the longest hour and a half of my life, and I wish I could get it back. In the end I would definitely not recommend this movie. Even to families, it's targeted audience, it would be extremely dry and boring. The only thing that makes up for it all is the art style, which is quite fantastic. I can't see how or why someone could love this movie, but if you do then good for you. I will never understand you.

Takahata shows his deep understanding of the human psyche once again in this lovely little film about a semi-functional middle class Japanese family. Its more or less a Japanese version of the Simpsons but much more humane and touching compared to the grotesque comedy presented in that show.While not remotely on the same league as Grave of the Fireflies or Once Yesterday, this little film is still quite excellent in what it sets itself to do, that's it, to entertain and affect the viewer in a rather deep way. That's because most of the situations depicted in the show actually happened to my life (and, I guess, to the lives of others as well).Recommended specially to Ghibli fans but I wouldn't consider it required viewing.

I do not think this is Studio Ghibli's best film, but I liked it because it was different and it still maintained their charm. I do think though out of the English dubs this is one of the weaker ones. Don't get me wrong the voice acting is fine, it's just that the script as has been said before has many references that some mayn't get. That said, it is a very funny and charming film. The animation is excellent, different in a sketchy sort of style but I liked that, and the music is cool. The story is engaging while working at being simple, and the characters are sheer delights, I can never get enough of the grandma. Overall, not their best but I still really liked it. 8/10 Bethany Cox