Rating: 
Summary: It doesn't get much better than this
Review: I knew very little about this movie going into it, other than it was directed by Miyazaki, who also did Princess Mononoke (interesting fantasy/ecological movie that lost direction about halfway through) and Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (also ecological, but science fiction, that I saw too long ago to recall details correctly). I knew it was a fantasy, I knew it was about a young girl, and that it had replaced Titanic as the number one box office attraction ever in Japan.The first three-to-five minutes and I thought it was all a mistake. A whiny young girl, animation that dropped out "between frames" (the big difference between movie animation and the more quickly produced made-for-tv stuff), and a trodging storyline that didn't get into the characters at all (why would they get out and check the portal in front of them instead of simply turning around?). But then things started to get weird. Foreshadowing was replaced by shadowing creatures, the city starts coming to life, and from that moment until about five minutes before the end, I was captivated, just as Chuhiro becomes, in this fantastic world of spirits who need to visit a bathhouse to replenish themselves. The characterization started coming through, including such wonders as the spider-link boilerman, the monster "no face," the water spirit, the "evil" witch herself, and a number of other smaller, but no less important, characters that surrounded Sen. The best part about the fantasy--which is in the grand tradition of "stepping through from this world to that" like C.S. Lewis's The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe--is that it was so unlike the European-tradition fantasy that most of us in the U.S. grew up on, but yet it wasn't so strange that you couldn't see some connections (a witch is a witch, a ghost is a ghost, and a snake dragon is as dangerous and exciting as a lizard dragon). I'm not sure how much of what seemed a little strange to U.S. watchers was our unfamiliarity with Japanese folklore or whether the writer/director had invented/riffed off folklore types on his own. Other reviewers have noted that it seems a little long, and I did start to feel that I was ready for the end about five minutes before it actually came to its conclusion. Also, reviewers have been stating that this isn't a movie for young children, I disagree. Although there's some scary moments (especially early on where Sen comes to face her changed parents and needs to avoid the frogmen), this is really a movie meant for children, and I can't imagine that any child who has watched a couple of years of American TV is going to be too frightened by anything in this movie. Recommended? Very much so. This is the kind of movie that animation does so well--an unreal world with strange characters and a subtle moral. Would that Disney could learn some lessons from this, for (unlike Disney) all of the pyrotechnical animation doesn't distract from the very real story being portrayed--a young girl learning to be strong on her own.
Rating:
Summary: Take your daughter to see this movie!
Review: Or your niece, or your sister, or your granddaughter, or your mother or -- well, you get the idea. I first saw this film in the summer of 2001 in Japan. I went with my wife, our two nieces, and my mother-in-law. My wife and mother-in-law were in tears when it ended and the two younger girls (10 and 7 at the time) were completely spellbound. We talked about it every day for two weeks. Miyazaki always has very strong girl heroes in his stories, and Chihiro is no exception. She's smart and brave and determined. She overcomes many obstacles, both external and internal, in her efforts to rescue her parents and reclaim her name. And she does it without ever becoming smart-alecky or copping "attitude". She is a very real little girl (despite her very unreal situation). One I think any girl, or woman, would identify with and admire. Brilliant film. Go. See.
Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece - in any medium
Review: Summary: A Masterpiece - in any medium Every external review I've read so far reads like an infomercial (Roger Ebert made this observation about his own review). Well, so does this one. It's amazing! Do you want to be just as dazzled as the kids in the audience?
Do you want to share the experience - to commune with hundreds around you - like why you GO OUT to a movie in the first place?
Do you want to access a foreign aesthetic in a congenial, vivid way that you've never experienced before?
Do you want to see state-of-the-animation art, sound and story, AND the best English dubbing you've ever heard, combined in one film?
Do you want to see an animated feature that won the Berlin Film Festival against all other comers, including live action?
Do you want to see not just moving pictures, but moving PAINTINGS? I was lucky enough to see it in a packed house at the Disney restored and operated El Capitan movie palace in Hollywood. I have the feeling, that wherever Spirited Away is exhibited, Disney, who is the distributor, will only allow it to be shown on the best screens in town. Anyway, don't wait for the video. See it in the theater, then get the DVD when it's released. Sound like an infomercial? I plead guilty. But the difference here is, that it's not hype. It's all true. The plot has been outlined elsewhere, so I won't repeat it. Just a few things that appeal to me personally: Despite the Western trappings of a suburban family moving to a new house and the theme park setting, the central fixture of a traditional bathhouse reminds me that this is a Japanese film, with Japanese sensibilities and Japanese aesthetic. I feel like I'm watching a synthesis of Zen and Shinto and Noh and maybe even a little Sumo (you'll recognize that reference when you see it). The inside of that bathhouse...it's the most exciting, delicious, nightmarish space I've entered since I was a little kid watching the house of naughty boys in Pinocchio's dream. Many of the Japanese mythical allusions which many of the characters are making are lost on me, but the wonderful artistry of the depictions makes their obscurity that much more charming. I really like a character called "No Face," especially in the beginning: a real spook, and because of the dramatic mask it wears, one I'd imagine is a stock character which Japanese children are familiar with. The dragon, at once fierce, because I have a Westerner's anti-dragon bias, and sympathetic, because of its plight...there is an amazing scene where it is being devoured, in flight, by birds - ORIGAMI birds! This flick has pushed my buttons - the right buttons - so I could go on and on. So I'd better stop. Pleeeeeze see Spirited Away. NOW!
Rating:
Summary: Miyzaki's Best Film Yet...
Review: This is my absolute favorite movie. Ever.
I had been planning to go downtown with a friend for weeks even before this movie came to my state.. Then we took the hassle to drive downtown to see it. Wow, I've never seen a line that long for a movie like this. And now I see why.
A wonder, riviting film. It may be long, but I would have gladly stayed if it was five hours. Miyzaki has the extreme art of creating the best characters and plots,I don't see how anyone could hate this movie.
Miyzaki is the greatest director that ever lived. Thank you for bringing Spirited Away to the United States!
Rating:
Summary: wow....
Review: I went in with high expectations last night and even had those high expectations blown away. My jaw was literally hanging open through many of the scenes. In many ways this is kind of a greatest hits Miyazaki movie. He revisits virtually all of his previous themes (and borrows some from "Pom Poko" for good measure, too - in some ways this is like a movie length version of the spirit parade in that film). There's the girl coming of age story from Kiki, touches of the environmental themes from Princess Mononoke, and even the dust sprites from Totoro make an appearance! Naturally, all of this stuff makes the movie a TAD less coherent than some of his other films, but I can't imagine anyone minding. There's just so much stuff here that really sticks with you - the quiet and eerie train ride toward the end was a particular high point for me. I'm a sucker for trains in general, but the placement of this scene seemed particularly interesting and clever to me. All in all, the happiest two hours I've spent in a theater in a long, long time.
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: Take a second viewing or third-----
Review: After watching this on DVD I finally began to see what went by too fast at the theater. When you watch you should immerse yourself in it, don't put on for background if you really want to get the bennifit of the story.
Rating:
Summary: A fantastic work of art, Miyazaki at his best.
Review: From the mind of one of the greatest animators of our time, Miyazaki has created numerous classic films such as My Neighbor Totoro and Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. Memorable characters, captivating story, and breathtaking visuals are qualities we have come to expect in his works, and this continues to be true in Miyazaki's latest feature length movie, Spirited Away. Set in modern day Japan, 10 year old Chihiro is moving away, despairing over the loss of her friends, she finds herself in the middle of the woods after her dad took a wrong turn. Stopping the car in front of a dark tunnel, her parents decide take a look around, despite of Chihiro's protest. Emerging from the structure, it turns out that this is an abandoned park built several decades ago. At her father's urging, the three of them travel deeper into the grounds, soon surrounded by buildings long deserted, to their surprise they discover a counter full of delicious food. Since the owner of the restaurant is nowhere to be found, Chihiro's parents proceed to help themselves to a meal, refusing to eat Chihiro takes off and chooses to explore on her own. As dusk begins to settle, she stops in front of a bridge that leads to a huge bathhouse, and from the outside it looks like it is still in operation. Suddenly a boy few years older than Chihiro appears in front of her, he urges her to get out of town quickly before the sun sets. Turning around, she frantically calls out to her mom and dad, barely noticing the strange shadows walking in the streets as the place comes alive with activities. To her horror Chihiro finds her parents replaced by two fattened pigs, in confusion she heads for the exit, only to find a huge river separating her and the tunnel in the distance. Lost and utterly alone, thus begins Chihiro's adventure in this strange realm with even stranger rules. The most prevalent theme throughout Spirited Away is greed, and it was because of greed, namely the parents' act of engorging themselves with food that was meant for the patrons, that trapped Chihiro's family in this mysterious world in the first place. Furthermore, the effect of greed can be seen most clearly in one of the character the young heroine later encounters, Kaonashi, or literally translated as No Face, is a lonely spirit with an unknown background. After being let into the bathhouse, he quickly becomes tainted with greed, as he indulges in gluttony he transforms into a grotesque and dangerous creature. Kaonashi is the polar opposite of Chihiro, demonstrated in his attempts to befriend Chihiro by offering her a handful of medicine tags he stole, and again with gold but twice she refuses to accept his gifts. While Kaonashi succumbs to the temptation, Chihiro was able to resists it. Another important aspect the movie dealt with is the importance of one's identity, specifically a person's name. After Chihiro signs the contract sealing her employment in the bathhouse, Yu Baaba magically takes away part of her name and calls her Sen instead. This can be seen as the final act in binding the girl to this world, and at the same time giving the witch control over her. Haku, the sorcerer's apprentice, later tells her to never forget who she is and her real name, because it will help her to escape in the future. One other motif worth mentioning is Miyazaki's concern for the environment, while not as heavy handed as it was in his previous work Princess Mononoke, it is still significant enough as portrayed in the sequence with the river god. Visually Spirited Away is stunning, with bright and vibrant colors splashing across the screen. One particular scene comes to mind is when Haku leads Chihiro through a garden to visit her parents, as the camera moves into first person, it is as if we were transported into the film, the flowers rushing past by look so realistic, so exquisite. A traditional animator, this is the first time Miyazaki used CGI extensively (even more so than in Princess Mononoke,) which flowed seamlessly with the hand drawn sections of the movie. Joe Hisaishi did a wonderful job with the music, at times soft and soothing, at times majestic and thrilling. The score blends beautifully with the action, and sets the mood perfectly. It is obvious that a lot of attention went into the creation of the characters, their personalities and relationships with one other demonstrated the level of details Miyazaki put into each of them. Unfortunately, this is also an area I have concern with, I wouldn't mind a little more backgrounds on some of the cast, such as the mysterious Kaonashi, and also the rift between the twin sisters Yu Baaba and Zeniiba. Even though this doesn't detract one from enjoying the movie, but it is still a tiny blemish in an otherwise masterpiece. I cannot say enough good things about Spirited Away, clocking at a little bit over two hours, this film has charm and humor, action and drama. The children will probably be able to identify with Chihiro, and the adults can appreciate the richness of the story, meanwhile being mesmerized by the luscious animation. I have not heard of the English voices yet (except in the trailer that was released recently,) but with John Lasseter of Pixar Studio handling the production of the dubbed version, I believe it is in good hands. A huge success in Japan breaking all kinds of box office records, Spirited Away has already amassed numerous awards since last summer. It will have a limited domestic release initially on September 20th, don't miss your chance in seeing one of the best movie this year.
Rating:
Summary: Spellbinding
Review: Spellbinding tail By a Master storyteller and Artist! This film elevates Animation to a true ART FORM. Miyazaki has now become a "Living National Treasure" for Japan. This film is The Winner at the Berlin Film Festival and the all time, top Grossing film in Japan. This has to be the pinnacle of achievement in a lifetime of producing masterworks. I can only pray Miyazaki Sama is well aware of this and will banish any thought of retirement.
I watched the Japanese region 2 DVD in both Japanese and French with the English Subtitles.
The Animation is wonderful, the facial expressions and body language of Chihero/Sen, are exceptional. The Color is outstanding, the scenery is as usual captivating. The music and sound track are wonderful. The "camera work" rivals Kurosawa's. The "Sets" are filled with astonishing detail; each re-viewing allowing new delightful discoveries, such as a framed picture in the cottage at the end of the film which is obviously "Kiki" in the style of a Whitman sampler box. (or the credits of the film Nausicaå) The film seems much shorter than it is, the dubbed version should be well tolerated by youngsters.
The whole effect is Fanciful and should be amazing to all viewers; even Japanese have told me that the "Bathhouse of the Gods " looked strangely Korean to them. The inhabitants of the bathhouse however, look to be straight from Hokusai's Manga. You see? I am spellbound.
Miyazaki has remained true to himself, this is again, a film which delights and warms the heart of both adults and children.
BTW: The Male lead is a "River Boy" or Kappa, so well known, he is hardly viewed as mythological.
Update/Edit: I have since viewed this Film at the Baxter Ave. CiniPlex in Louisville. This is a very nice "Art House" theater complex. Viewing Spirited Away in this theater was in itself a treat.
Acting: I have to give credit to the voice acting for Chihiro and "big sister" Lin; it is very well done. I found the "little girl" voice of sen charming. The music was excellent, and matched the mood and action well for my sensibilities. Viewing on a large screen was another treat. See if you can spot the zipper in the father's fly! Also watch Chihiro's fluid movements as she skips down the last three steps to the door of the Boiler room, and her movements on inside to see Kamaji, the boiler man.
The name of the Bath House seems to be Abura-ya as stated over the main door. This, I am told, is a reference to old time places of entertainment identified by the paper oil lanterns hanging outside.
The shops in the street have names ... one, passed by the "stink monster" is called "Fairy Soup Counter" The characters on the ground floor elevator door reads "Upper" the next one "second heaven" and the top floor reads "Heaven"
I viewed the film twice, once alone and then with my elevenyear old Niece; for full enjoyment always view a Miyazaki film with a child in accompaniment.
DEVI****
Rating:
Summary: Spiriting away.
Review: Spirited Away is the latest in a string of incredible animated films by Hayao Miyazaki, the most renowned animator in Japanese history and most say in the best in world. He takes a couple steps close to the best in the world title with this film. It's the story of Chihiro as she is caught in a world where humans are not allowed: a world of magic, gods and a Japanese bathhouse. As we meet Chihiro we realize that she is a bit spoiled and has never done anything for herself. As her adventures progress, she matures in ways that she doesn't even realize. This is a journey of self-discovery and a study in forced independence. Many have compared it to Alice In Wonderland, but where Alice, I thought, was a two-dimensional character going from adventure to adventure, Chihiro is well rounded. She figures out how to be adaptable to an ever-changing world and discovers how to solve her problems instead of running away from them. She is a "real" girl shoved into a world of Japanese mythology where she is ignorant of the rules. And her problem solving is the best part of the film and the reason I liked this one better then Princess Mononoke. Chihiro uses her kindness, courage and courtesy as her weapons. Even when violence erupts all around her, she relies on her wit and intelligence instead of magic, swords or arrows. These are lessons that children should be exposed to instead of explosions and gore that make up a lot of cinema. If I had kids, you bet I'd be taking them to see this one. But don't get me wrong; this film is able to thrill adults, too. It is so full of imagination the film seems barely able to contain itself. While it is not as lush as Mononoke (it may have been the print I saw), Spirited Away is gorgeously animated and the dubbing work is almost perfectly synched. In fact, after Chihiro is whisked away I didn't even notice anything out of place. There were; however, about three scenes that I remember thinking that the score seemed out of place and became distracting, but that's my only complaint. I can easily see why this is Japan's biggest moneymaking film of all time. It's a story well told with visuals beautiful to behold. It's simply timeless.
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