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Toru Masuoka, Yukiji Asaoka, Masako Araki, Naomi Uno, Akiko Yano ... see more see more... , Chocho Miyako , Daryl Sabara , David Ogden Stiers , James Belushi , Liliana Mumy , Molly Shannon , Tamao Nakamura , Tress MacNeille , Yasuko Tomita

Based on a wildly popular Japanese comic strip, master animator Isao Takahata directs this loosely structured work about that wacky household, the Yamadas. The family consists of laid-back, rice crack... read more read more...er-addicted mother Matsuko; the bland businessman father Takashi, who has illusions of machismo; the fearless, acid-tongued grandmother Shige; the slacker teenaged son Noboru; the younger sister Nonoko, who has a freakishly voracious appetite; and Pochi, the misanthropic family dog. During the film, the Yamadas wrestle for control of the TV remote and they deal with a band of bikers who have invaded the neighborhood, while Takashi has fantasies about being born into a more interesting family. The film's score is done by popular songster Akiko Yano. ~ Jonathan Crow, Rovi

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76% liked it

5,363 ratings

Critics

67% liked it

6 critics

PG, 1 hr. 44 min.

Directed by: Isao Takahata

Release Date: January 1, 1999

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DVD Release Date: August 16, 2005

Stats: 267 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (267)

  • fb1216165431
    November 8, 2011
    fb1216165431
    A chronicle of the Yamada Japanese family, My Neighbors The Yamadas is a coarse, but creative animation output from Studio Ghibli that fragmentary narrates the comical encounters of the members of the Yamada family. A satire of the relevant in marriage, family, and contemporary d... read moreomestic affairs, My Neighbors The Yamadas remarks a contemplation on the quality of relationships within a family. Raucously lively.
  • staindslaved
    February 25, 2012
    staindslaved
    One of the biggest dilemmas in reviewing films is reviewing a movie knowing you are not the target audience. My Neighbors the Yamadas is a slow and painful watch for an adult, but adults are not the audience The Yamadas are shooting for. They're going for a very young audience,... read more like 3-5 years old. Will 3-5 year olds like The Yamadas? If they do does that alone make it a good film? It's a difficult predicament to be in. I can watch Sesame Street or Mr. Rodger's with an young child but Barney the Dinosaur makes me want to blow my brains out. Does that make one program better than the other? Ultimately there are films geared towards the very very young that are more than tolerable for adults as well (Winnie the Pooh, My Neighbor Totoro, Follow That Bird, etc.) and so I split the difference with My Neighbor's The Yamadas.
  • Doctor0Quinzel
    December 19, 2010
    Doctor0Quinzel
    This reminds me of the "funny pages" from the newspaper, 3 comic panels which are suppose to elicit laughter, but in fact leaves you thinking, 'who the fuck thinks this is funny?'. That is exactly what this film was like a much of short panels that I assume were suppose to elicit... read more some laughter, I don't know if it was a cultural or if it just wasn't interesting enough, but I only had twenty minutes left until the end of the film and I just turned it off. I just didn't care. Plus in the beginning it felt really preachy and "quote-y". blah.....
  • Ivan6655321
    October 11, 2009
    Ivan6655321
    Isao Takahata's "My Neighbors the Yamadas" is the complete opposite of his well-known masterpiece "Grave of the Fireflies". It dealt with common family trials and presenting it to us audiences with humorously light-hearted touch. And while "Grave of the Fireflies" used stark, and... read more realistic animation, "Yamadas" used a more unconventional, surreal style, to accompany the comic nature of the film. The opening sequence used unique objects to allegorically represent common family situations. Many said that this is not on par with "Grave", but for me, it is also great on its own.
  • Zibbs
    July 3, 2011
    Zibbs
    "...about 30 more times then, I guess."



    Plays like a Japanese Family Sit-Com; but in very short, dry humor skits; giving it a very endearing quality. :)

    Despite the fact that it's based on a Japanese family, I could easily relate it to my own family. In fact, I'd like to beli... read moreeve that it could appeal to most American families.
  • nanobwitch
    May 2, 2010
    nanobwitch
    Oh my god! i dont know why i procrastinated to watch this. i should have known that even if it looks all sketchy and ugly that becasue its Miyazaki it would be awesome. and its true! This movie was so funny. in fact, i think its the funniest miyasaki movie he's done. you learn to... read more respect the animation style because its so simplistic but it invokes all the right emotions. I love the family and the stories. aww man five star all the way.
  • SaberHead
    October 17, 2008
    SaberHead
    Studio Ghibli's other director is Isao Takahata. Takahata is not only responsible for 'Grave of the Fireflies' and 'Pompoko' but he has also been the producer on some of Hayao Miyazaki's film projects such as 'Kiki's Delivery' Service and 'My neighbor Tototro', and 'Spirited Awa... read morey'.

    Directed by Isao Takahata, 'My Neighbor the Yamadas' is a very humorous and refreshing family film. The movie is based on a newspaper comic strip in Japan, and it consists of moments of comedy in daily family life -- think the animated Charlie Brown specials and you may have some idea of what I'm talking about. I really enjoyed 'My Neighbor the Yamadas' and really like having it in my Studio Ghibli collection, although I suspect the film may not be the right cup of tea for some people.

    ****
  • poojasv02
    July 14, 2008
    poojasv02
    Unbelievably funny movie! The dialogue was fantastic and it was just amazing. Incredibly cute family film.
  • Venieza
    July 18, 2007
    Venieza
    Grandest movie
    Enjoy anime/manga to the fullest good or bad sad or funny they get plus stars in my book
  • victorwantsrevenge
    June 8, 2007
    victorwantsrevenge
    A very good film. I was amazed at how simple the animation could be but how heartwarming and funny the story could be. Certainly not like any of the other Studio G films. A tad slow, but worth watching.

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Critic Reviews

Sandie Angulo Chen
January 11, 2012
Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media

Quirky animated comedy follows a family's ups and downs. Full Review

Tim Brayton
June 10, 2010
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy

For all that they are cartoons, the Yamadas never court buffoonery... In fact, it's surprisingly observational, based in the way that people honestly act and feel. Full Review

David Nusair
August 5, 2006
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews

...the movie would be best served by a viewing in separate installments. Full Review

Walter Chaw
September 12, 2005
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central

Fluffy as a French pastry and almost as cloyingly sweet. Full Review

Norm Schrager
August 20, 2005
Norm Schrager, Filmcritic.com

charming Full Review

Shane Burridge
November 9, 2004
Shane Burridge, rec.arts.movies.reviews

Unlike all other animated works from the celebrated Studio [Ghibli]

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