Movie Mermaids 3 – Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea

Okay, the lead "mermaid" character is more a goldfish girl but people are still classifying her as a a mermaid. This Japanese animated feature was written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki (he of Oscar winning Spirited Away fame). Some say it's a modern take on Hans Christian Andersen's  The Little Mermaid. For a detailed plot summary go to Wikipedia. The English language version has the following talent amongst its voice cast – Cate Blanchett, Matt Damon, Liam Neeson, Cloris Leachman, Lily Tomlin and Tina Fey. There was a great article by Justin Norrie published in the Sydney Morning Herald (Arts & Entertainment section on 15-16 August 2009) entitled "Swimming against the tide" but unfortunately we can't find it online. It tells us that:

Although Miyazaki has experimented reluctantly on some of his movies with light touches of digital and computer-generated animation, he was determined this time to do things the old-fashioned way. The result is 170,000 hand-painted cells that give the picture a lush quality and subtly flowing movement not usually seen in feature-length animated films.

Amazing work all round with genuinely brilliant storytelling!