Rating: 
Summary: Miyazaki does it AGAIN!!!!!
Review: The great Miyazaki has done it AGAIN!!! He has produced a film of wonderous vistas, depth and emotions that no other anime director can come close to. The characters are sympathic and draw the viewer into the story without making him/her feel like they are watching a "cartoon". I have been a fan of Miyazaki since I first saw "Warriors of the Wind" 20 years ago. Even though that film was butchered by Orion Pictures, the production values of the animation hooked me into the Japanime galaxy. It is refreshing to see such wonderful stories of life to come from the mind of such a amazing director!!! I put this in the top 5 of my list of my favorite anime features.
Rating:
Summary: Where was this when I was growing up?
Review: When this movie was released, in a perfect world, the entire board of directors of the Disney corporation should have sunk on their knees and committed seppuku. This is what innovation looks like, and, in spite (or because of) of its unrelenting weirdness, it's the sort of thing kids can really enjoy - I think, although not being a kid anymore myself, I can't be sure.Spirited Away is a classic fable, mixing the conventions of European and Russian fairy tales with elements of Japanese folklore and contemporary culture. A young girl, Chihiro, somewhat bored and spoiled to begin with, loses her parents to a curse and is trapped in a world of gods and spirits, and undergoes a self-transformative journey which is rarely trite or dully moralizing. What sets it above many similiar animated fables is the sense of danger that is generated - things in this world are so drastic and bizzare that you actually find yourself wondering if the expected happy ending will result. The grotesquery in the film is extreme, and I guess parents should be warned about it; the most striking things include a spirit which devours people (not fatally) and later vomits copiously, a scene in which the male lead in dragon form is badly wounded and bleeds from the mouth, and a scene that actually distrubed me in which a giant baby threatens to break Chihiro's arm. That giant baby is just plain creepy. I don't think kids, who are often more bloodthirsty than they are given credit for, would object to any of this; parents might be more effected. The message - touching on the standard themes of true love and courage - is more convincing than usual, possibly because so much of what Chihiro accomplishes really does result from her own courage, and is not handed to her on a silver platter by a fairy godmother. A minor scene where she sprints down the length of a rickety bridge is especially effective. The romance, also, is not the overly sanitized kind you usually find in fairy tales; the male lead, Hako, has a dark side, and seems like an actual being rather than an impossible abstract. Even those Americans who are hip enough to call Japanese animation 'anime' probably have a somewhat limited view of it. Most of these people (and I hope I don't offend anyone with this generalization) are male, between fourteen and thirty years of age, and addicted to stylized sex and violence (this is me). The anime which has been released in this country is generally targeted at them, and many of them seem to assume because of this that all anime is of that type. While I can't overstate by admiration for series like Neon Genesis Evangelion, Spirited Away is proof that the minds of contemporary Japan are capable of very different things. The most striking difference between this and other modern anime is in the character design - Chihiro is not particularly attractive. Hako tends more toward the classic bishounen, but many of the other characters are completley grotesque. This has always been Miyazaki's style, and makes the story much easier to believe. The only way in which I believe I could have enjoyed this film more is if I had been fifteen years or so younger when I saw it. It's the quintessential family film, and far from being a Japanese oddity, deserves to be the staple of a new generation of American youth.
Rating:
Summary: Tips For Non-Japanese Speaking Fans: This Is A Masterpiece
Review: Released on July 20th, in 2001 in Japan, "Spirited Away" stayed in theaters for almost 10 months, breaking all the previous box-office records in Japan, including that of "Titanic" and "Princess Mononoke" by the same director Hayao Miyazaki. With this astonishing film about a girl's spiritual journey, Mr. Miyazaki again showed that he is one of the best directors living in the world. This animation film was also awarded prestageous Golden Bear Prize in Berlin Film Festival, and that is not a surprise at all, after you see this movie. The story quickly is established, so don't ever be late for the show. It traces a girl's strange and fascinating life in another world, where her parents are accidentally magically transformed, and she has to survice herself and return to her own world. To do so, this pudgy-faced little girl Chihiro, now deprived of her name by a greedy witch Yu-baba, has to work at the baths where gods and sprites all over Japan come to take a rest. Chihiro's life is full of wonderful (and often hard, even terrifying) things, and through her experiences she learns how to live, gaining the true will and power, changing from a sulky girl languidly lying on the backseat of a car, into a lively and truely courageous girl. That's all you have to know: you don't need to see its trailer (English version trailer is a bit misleading), and just watch this masterpiece. Though there is a character called "Kao-nashi" (meaning "Faceless"), who out of loneliness does something harmful to the place; and there is an episode about a very stinking monster who turns out something very different, there are no villains, no heroes, and no so-called actions. And another strength of the film comes from its designs of the baths. It is based on a mosaic of Japanese and Western traditions (the witch's office looks obviously Western while Chihiro and other female workers room is inspired from the texitle factory girls' residence 100 years ago) Incredibly, some part are even from Chinese style. The story, some say probably rightly, goes slower in the latter half (of the film that runs more than 2 hours), but "Spirited Away" never lets you down. It's time for any American audience to know Miyazaki's name, and that animation films are not meant for only kids, but for adults. [The following might hopefully help understand some part of the film. No spoilers contained, but you might read them after watching them. Al the names referred to are from Japanese original print.] [1] The name "Chihiro" is, when written in Chinese letters, divided into two parts: "Chi-hiro." The first part "Chi" has another way of pronounciation, "Sen," which becomes her temporary name.
[2] Chihiro's real name is "Chihiro Ogino" which is briefly seen on the contract paper she signs.
[3] The handsome boy who offers a help to Chihio is called "Haku" which means in Japanese, "white."
[4] Haku's real name is "Migihayami Kohakusui." All the Japanese audience, as Chihiro in fact was, would be surprised to hear this long and old-fashioned name, which clearly suggests his ancient and aristocratic origin.
[5] The witch's spoiled baby is called "Bou" (and his name is written prominently in a Chinese letter on his clothes). This is shrewd naming because the word "bou-ya" (which is used to call, affectinately, to baby boys) implies too much fondness to the babies on mother's side.
[6] Chihiro's father, at the diapidated red gate, talks knowingly about the posibility of a disused theme park. It is true that Japan saw economic depression after the boom of the 80s, and his remarks, though half telling of his too much confidence, have some ring of truth.
[7] For Miyazaki's fans, there are some extra fun: see, for example, the re-appearance of "Susuwatari"s, tiny black speck-like creatures that carry coal in a boiler room. As fans know, they are also seen in Miyazaki's delightful film "My Neighbor Totoro." And check out one of the "guests" at the spa who looks and moves exactly like Totoro.
[8] And those harmless "Susuwatri"s eat Japanese traditional, very sweet confectionary called "Konpeitou" made from sugar. This is the part Japanese viewers smile because of the unexpected combination.
[9] In the same boiler room, the spider-like veteran master gives Chihiro "Kaisuu-ken," coupon-style tickets for train. This is also the part we would smile because we all somehow share the same experience of giving them to children who go somewhere by train or bus, or of finding very old ones somewhere in the desk.
[10] That same kind master, seeing Chihiro step on the crawling worm, makes a gesture of a knife with his hand, and touches Chihiro's hands in a unique way. This is a (now out-of-fashion) custom when touching something very dirty, symbolizing the total safety from the object in case, often accompanied with Japanese word "Engacho" (no more connection). This part is also funny to us.
[11] In the opening scene. behind the back of Chihiro, you can see the glimpse of half-hidden, red-colored package of chocolate bar, which looks like one famous brand. Probably, this is a small token of thanks for the company (famous for coffee, too), which joined in the tie-in campagin for the film's promotion in Japan.
[12] Finally, director Miyazaki says that the film is originally made for unnamed 10-year-old girls he and the movieproducer are both acquainted with, and hope that those girls are delighted to see the film. No doubt they are.
Rating:
Summary: Superb animation, Superb English voice-acting
Review: No need to repeat the praise that has already been heaped upon this film in general. From quality of animation, to depth of story, to fantastic otherworldly atmosphere, this is a must-see for anyone even the least bit interested in cinematic animation as a whole. What does need to be emphasized here however is that the American-English voice-acting is superb and deserves even more than the often begrudging credit it already gets. Along with other recent productions such as Cowboy Bebop The Movie or The Big O series, the English voice-acting arguably supersedes the original language in acting and direction. Daveigh Chase inhabits the character of Chihiro perfectly, while such prominent veteran actors as David Ogden Stiers and Suzanne Pleschette disappear into their roles perfectly. The original langauge remains available to those so inclined as to academically compare different approaches and translation changes, which is something many of us do. However, when introducing anime to new audiences one no longer need cringe when listening to subpar/amateur English voice-overs and also need no longer impose subtitles on those friends and family that understandably prefer an unmarred visual experience.
Rating:
Summary: Not your usual anime
Review: I went to see this in the cinema last night, and although the style was very much that of Japanese Anime, the plot means that this really doesn't matter. Miyazaki has filled this with wonderful and exciting characters, who are all multi-faceted. The central theme of the film is the emotional growth of a young girl. To begin with, she is the Japanese stereotype of a single child; weak, demanding and completely dependent on her parents. Throughout the film, she grows up to become effectively the strongest and most stoical figure among the characters of the story. What is particularly refreshing about the plot is that none of the characters conform to the way one as a westerner would stereotype them - whether that is the result of differing traditions in Japanese writing or simply the skill of the director do not really matter. The result is a film which works on many different levels and so will appeal to both children and adults alike. The reason I would reccomend this as a DVD is the splendid animation and story board drawing in it. It really is a feast for the eyes, and something that, if you are in any way interested in animation, you would defintitely want to come back to. Unlike regular anime, where all faces are based on a similar construct and use the same contortions for expressions, in this film the drawing of every character in some way describes them as an individual. Only the central character Chichiro / Sen displays the characteristics of regular anime figures, and this is actually very appropriate since she is the only one able to maintain consistently the her human identity. All in all a good film and one that I would watch again - Buy it!!
Rating:
Summary: Only a genius could think this stuff up.
Review: Wow. The second you see the first spirit, your eyes will fall out of their sockets and won't go back in until the credits stop rolling. This imaginative world full of amazing characters is the most beautiful, unique thing I have ever seen. To top it all off, the story will touch your heart, even if it seems a little corny at times. A must see.
Rating:
Summary: Superb
Review: This film is just stunning! I first saw it at the cinema when i took my son & could not wait till it was released to buy.
It is a fantastic adventure story for all ages & the vibrant animation will leave you open mouthed.
Rating:
Summary: Good Movie
Review: I pesonaly like Ghibli studio movies because they are out of ordinary or make ordinary look unordinary. Like "Princess Mononoke" or original "Naussica"(pardon if spelled wrong)anyway this 1 is a great follower because it is very good like animation extras on dvd and story itself. I am sure u read all the story from other reviews but just to refresh ur memory its about a little 10 year old girl who exidentaly ends up in spirit world tough luck kiddo. Her parents were turned in pigs for certain reasons and herself she starts to work for the spirit hotel in order not to be a pig herself as far as apropriance for kidds i dont think its anything bad to see.
And the plot is well i dont realy know cause i am not much in plot stuff its basicly a selfish and stuborn girl goes through changes in charachter. What i mean is she goes from saying "NOT FAIR" to "Thank you very much". Over all movie is almost perfect and i see no flaws cause i am not picky 5 stars babe!
P.S. Realy although movie is good without a question just rent and find out save some money if not like the movie in outcome.
Rating:
Summary: Spirited Away
Review: This is considered one of the best (If not the best) Anime' films ever made and its cinematic storytelling at its finest. Not since "Akira" has an animated film made the impact like this. This was created by the Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki who is considered a god in terms of Anime' and its his wonderful stories and imagination that makes him so special. This is the story of a ten year old girl named Chihiro who is traveling with her parents to their new home and she is sad that they have to move. Her father takes what seems like a wrong turn and they come across a structure with a tunnel in the middle. They all get out and walk through to the other side and Chihiro's father recognizes it as an old park that has gone under over the years. They come across another structure with food set out and Chihiro's parents waste no time in helping themselves to as much food as they can eat. Chihiro discovers to her horror that her mother and father have turned into pigs and she runs off to try and find help. She encounters a boy named Haku that takes her into the strange world where spirits and witches habitat and he tells her to find someone named Kamaji and ask for a job. She is looked down on as a human but she manages to find Kamaji who has eight legs like a spider and he gets her a job. Chihiro works with Lin who is an older female and she shows her what to do and where to sleep. Chihiro helps out cleaning and delivering but at night she sneaks out to talk with Haku who is helping her get her parents back and to be able to go home. Miyazaki has such a broad sense of imagination and this is reflected in his other films like "Princess Mononoke" and "Kiki's Delivery Service" and this film is probably even greater than those two. This film won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and it certainly deserved it. One of the joys of watching Miyazaki's films is that you have no idea what so ever has to what will happen next. The characters and events take the viewer on a strange and fantastic voyage that has never been seen before. Yubaba the witch has a giant baby named Boh, Haku turns into a flying dragon and Kamaji has these dustball/spider things carry lumps of coal to a furnace that heats everything. One of the big highlights of this film is the "Stink Spirit" that is this giant glob of river mud and Chihiro helps it get clean. While she does this she helps pull out all the junk (Bicycles, assorted metal, etc..) until we see what this spirit really looks like. This is the type of animated feature that children should view and this is not to knock American animated films but the Japanese concern themselves more with the stories. Children should view films that will enhance they're imagination but unfortunately most of the crap they are forced to watch is usually something that they can guess as to what will happen next. Miyazaki had no plans to make another film but happily he is working on another one! This is a great animated film and it should be recommended viewing for children although adults will love this also.
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Summary: spirited away is one of the best anime movies in the world.
Review: I just rented spirited away last friday and even though I've watched it twice it is so awesome. it is delivered beautifuly with really nice characters that go so well together. and it is a really intresting story about a girl at first doesn't know what is going on and is whiny and compling but then really has to grow up and make sure her parents don't stay pigs forever. it is also kinda a romantic movie with what's going on between chihrio and haku I mean it's kinda sweet and sappy.
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