I drove my kids 3+ hours away to watch this when it was in the theaters, because it was the closest showing. Not my personal favorite, and not my kids' either, (that's Totoro), but it's up there. The cutefactor can't be underestimated. It slows down a bit toward the end I think, and drags, but I think some of the themes and images are not even fully appreciated. I say that because I've noticed some things on later viewings, little touches here and there, that made me think, or were intriguing in some way. More subtle, but beautiful all the same.