Miyazaki films... your thoughts

[degeneration]

Started to post this in the asian film ratings post, but thought so I don't lose the answers I'd start a new post.

I've not seen as many Miyazaki films as I'd like yet, so can people give a run down of their ratings for his films, so I know where to start off next. His feature films as director are:

Ponyo
Howl's Moving Castle 3.5/5
Spirited Away 4.5/5
Princess Mononoke 3/5
Porco Rosso
Kiki's Delivery Service
My Neighbour Totoro
Castle in the Sky 3.5/5
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
The Castle of Cagliostro

I've highlighted my thoughts on the ones I've seen. Are there other Miyazaki films worth seeing where he isn't the director?

I think I've got Ponyo but not watched it yet. But are there others that are more must see?

[Yi-Long]

From that list, i haven't seen Kiki and Ponyo yet. All the other are OK to great.

I didn't care for Spirited Away as much as others seem to, and Howl's Moving Castle kinda continued that strangeness.

Castle of Cagliastro I've only seen a dubbed version, and I thought it was a bit boring TBH. Perhaps I'll like the subbed version better.

My favourites are Porco Rosso, Nausicaa, and Mononoke.

[gasteropod]

Degen, from the ones you haven't seen I recommend: The Castle of Cagliostro, My Neighbour Totoro, and Kiki's Delivery Service

[degeneration]

Does watching any of them in the dubbed versions take much away? Or should I stay a purist and only watch them subbed?

[gasteropod]

Yeah I stuck Totoro on once in English for a girl and it was lame, it had lost all of its character. Definitely watch them in Japanese.

[HungFist]

commens for those I remember well enough to comment + viewing formats

Nausicaä - 1/5 (35mm)
Up-your-throat environmentalism + voice over that repeats everything you see. Less would make you want to kill yourself.

Laputa - 3.5/5 (dvd)
Could use some tightening, but a very entertaining and funny adventure. The ecological message is much better integrated into the film here.

Totoro - 4.5/5 (35mm)
Miyazaki's best film. Lovely and extremely kawaii all around, although it does have that "Japanese family film" mentality. The character of Totoro is amazing.

Kiki - 4/5 (35mm)
Miyazaki's second best film.

Porco Rosso - 3.5/5 (dvd)
Excellent first 40 minutes, followed by slightly less fun second half. The title character is excellent.

Princess Mononoke - 4/5 (dvd)

Spirited Away - 3/5 (dvd)

Howl's Moving Castle - 2.5/5 (35 mm)

Ponyo on a Cliff - 3.5/5 (dvd)
Miyazaki’s welcome return to Totoro-style anime after several disappointing films. While it could’ve been edited down a bit during its first half, the film is rather lovely and absolutely beautifully drawn.

[grim_tales]

I remember really liking Spirited Away 4.5/5
Mononoke was almost as good - 4/5
Castle in the Sky was about 3/5