Rating: Summary: Some of director Miyazaki's best. Review: After seeing this film, you know that the director definitely had a grand vision when making this film... if you haven't seen the film, "Nausicaa", yet. Much of the concepts and ideas presented from this film are recycled from the movie, "Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind", a film the director made 12 or so years before making Mononoke. Director Miyazaki said that himself. "Mononoke" still remains a nice film, even when I do get that wannabe vibe off of it in comparison to "Nausicaa". Miramax did a nice, professional job with the dubbing. The acting does get a bit cheesy at times, especially from the caracter, "San", but cheesiness should be expected in dubbing anyway. I prefer the japanese language version w/ subtitles. The animation itself is great, almost surpassing that of "End of Evangelion: Air / A Pure Heart for You", or even "Ghost in the Shell". It'd be great to see this DVD released.
Rating: Summary: OOh...I loved it Review: This is probably one of the most beautiful movies I have ever seen. I finally got a chance to see the English version tonight, and was blown away. It had, by far, the BEST animation that I have ever seen in a Japanese film. The English dubbing was near PERFECT, and the voices were VERY suiting for the characters. Claire Danes (San) and Gillian Anderson (Moro) were by far the best, but the rest were all fitting too. The plot itself was excellent, and I was not bored once. I sure hope that more movies like Mononoke get translated into English with this amount of quality.
Rating: Summary: An incredible display of Anime! Review: This movie is amazing! It has the best animation I have ever seen. Period. When it was playing in my city, I enjoyed it so much that I went to see it twice in the same week. The story is complex and entertaining. The English dub isn't bad, in fact, compared to most Anime, its quite good. However I'm still really hope that the DVD release has a subtitled version as well as the dubbed version, and that they keep it in widescreen (most DVDs are pretty good about that). Anyway, thats about it...if you get a chance to see this movie...don't pass it up. You won't be disapointed!
Rating: Summary: An Enchanting and Beautiful Masterpiece Review: I own the Cantonese version of this movie. Even though I do not understand a single word of it, this is easily one of those most amazing and beautiful animations I have ever seen. Hayao Miyazaki is definately one of the greats if not greatest. PLEASE VOTE for the production of this incredible work of genius and art.
Rating: Summary: The best film of 1999 and one of the greatest films ever... Review: I was fortunate enough to visit Japan this January and acquire a copy of "Mononoke Hime" ("Princess Mononoke") on VHS-which by the way was a very high quality transfer presented in its original widescreen format-obviously in Japanese. I purchased the film for collectable value, and my ownership of the original Japanese version only propells my desire to own the American version. "Princess Mononoke" is a beautiful, phylosophical, and riveting film that ranks highly among even the finest of western classics. Utilizing director/writer Hayao Miyazaki's patented eye for subtle detail (both in character development and dramatic presentation) its vast arrayment of imagery and harrowingly complex storytelling all conveniantly blend to form a dazzling and unforgettable motion picture experience. "Princess Mononoke" is my favorite film of the year and a candidate for one of the greatest films ever conceived. It is essential that Miramax release this film in the highest quality possible as they had intended (and succeeded) in its American theatrical release.
Rating: Summary: Vote now for a great anime Review: If your an anime fan, and who isn't, then you will love Princess Mononoke. PM has a wonderful story, great score, and superb artwork(what else would you expect from a Hayao Miyazaki film). So if you want to see a great anime go see Mononoke, and if you can't see it in theaters make sure your vote for now!
Rating: Summary: THE BEST MOVIE EVER MADE Review: You just HAVE to vote for this DVD to be produced. If you haven't seen this movie yet in the theatres yet, you must, because it is the most beautiful, thought provoking movie ever made. It is so amazning, that words can't even describe it. PLEASE, PLEASE, vote for this video and see for yourself. You will be amazed. If you have seen the movie at the theatre and want it to come to the US, make sure and submit your e-mail address(es). Even submit your friend's email! (with their permission.) If you REALLY want this DVD to be made, write a review here to get other people to submit their emails! ^_~
Rating: Summary: Princess Mononoke......SEE IT! Review: I have not seen the English version for this movie (only the Japanese one, and I don't speak the language) but it was still an EXCALLENT film! OK, the animation wasn't as "smooth flowing" as it could have been, but the extreme attention to detail more than made up for that. The visuals were AMAZING! It was so well done that I could understand what was happening and even get into the film without knowing what was actually being said. The ecxellent music and sound effects also helped me in this. The charecters were well designed, too (especially San, the Forest God, and the wolves).
Rating: Summary: One of my favorites Review: I just watched this one again, not for the first and not for the last time. There's just so much to like here that I hardly know where to begin. Others have already pointed out, at length, that the founder of Irontown is hardly the Evil Queen she first appears. The Princess has flaws of her own, as well. Each, however, has a moral stand that holds together in its own way. In fact, the real problem comes from a character that first looks minor - his amorality turns out to be the most destructive force in the movie. What keeps me coming back to this film is the setting in which all of the movie's action occurs. It is clear to my Western sense that I'm watching a very Eastern movie. The forests and factories could be anywhere, mostly. They are set in a world with its own history and mythical beings, though, and they aren't any history or myth that I know. Somehow, Miyazaki creates a meaningful story out of pieces with meanings I don't understand. It makes me want to learn about the tradition and lore that he draws on for his imagery. This is not just great by the standards of animation, it's a good movie by any standard. It really is worth enjoying again and again.
Rating: Summary: VISUALLY SPECTACULAR, HOT-BUTTON MESSAGES, BUT.. Review: The reviews for this typical Miyazaki blockbuster are so rabidly of the WOW mentality that you may expect something mind-blowing. 'Manage your expectations and enjoy the bloody ride' is my advice. In terms of sheer execution this is one of the best anime capers you'll see, replete with beasts of mythic proportions, lush forests, sparkling waterfalls, and some mind-numbing inter-galactic slaughter. I could wager in a blink that this is what inspired Tarantino to do that little anime insert in Kill Bill Vol 1. Plus, the film has some swank credentials under its belt: the Japanese voices are dubbed, not just subtitled, by big *American* stars -- Billy Bob Thornton, Minnie Driver, Claire Danes, Bill Crudup, etc -- who lend their laryx to a host of universally relevant issues such as the plight of indigenous people and nature in the face of unchecked business interests, the death of spirituality in the name of social progress, misogyny in its many variations, etc. But I have my gripes. The film is violent. Very violent. Sometimes senselessly violent. I had to frequently turn my volume knob to the left. There are gigantic guns, and blood and guts splatter the landscape every minute. Most of this soon seems overdrawn (and the film is looooong) with all this supposedly cool action amounting to precious little in terms of any clear message about good versus evil. The underlying purpose is summed up brilliantly by a roadside beggar when he says something like the world is cursed, but we still find a reason to live. I also found something lacking in the animation itself. While exquisitely vivid it seems to lag in its flair for capturing natural motion. Disney or Pixar movies pore over a sense of suppleness when an eye is raised or a muscle is twitched by a character. Miyazaki's animators on the other hand haven't penetrated beyond the skin, the moving creatures feel inarticulate and jerky, particularly when played against the very 2D painted backgrounds. But that still doesn't stop me from recommending this powerful cult flick, a must if you're an anime acolyte. If not, then be prepared for a Tarantino x 100 and you'll do fine.
|