Okay, OKAY...Totoro. Let's talk.

Alright, I finally caved and watched My Neighbor Totoro. Look, I get it. Big fluffy creature, cute kids, nature. It's like a warm blanket for your eyeballs. But am I missing something? People act like it's some profound cinematic EXPERIENCE. It's…fine. Pleasant, even. But profound? Nah. Don't get me wrong, the animation is gorgeous. The backgrounds are lush and detailed, no argument there. And the scene on the bus stop with Totoro is admittedly iconic. But the plot? Two kids move, Mom's sick, they see a forest spirit. That's it. It's basically 90 minutes of gentle vibes with very little actually happening. Felt like a screensaver at times. Maybe I'm just dead inside, but I need a little more substance, you know? And while we're at it, Mei gets lost? And everyone just kinda...panics gently? It's like the stakes are permanently set to 'mild inconvenience'. Where's the real tension? The suspense? Even a little bit of conflict would've been welcome. Maybe I'm just too cynical, but the whole thing felt a little too saccharine for my taste. Look, I respect the artistry, but culturally significant doesn't automatically equal good. So yeah, pretty movie, but overhyped. Fight me.