Princess Mononoke

Rating:
Summary: Great Foreign movie
Review: I was lucky enough to actually screen this film on it's debut in the United States at the Telluride Film Festival a few years back, and I was remeber being blown away by it. Many of the films I see at the fest arn't half as exciting and well done as this film. It's a superb movie, and I'm excited to see it doing so well. Worth the buy!

Rating:
Summary: beyond compare(but kids beware)
Review: It seemed like such a wonderful diversion. A Princess Mononoke party......So we're sitting around at my friends house, they are serving saki and rice crackers, a little wasabi and such. They are clad in kimonos. My son, a Totoro junkie, is in the other room, as we have been warned by anime junkies(of which we are not of the club) about the violence of the upcoming event. Our friends have no kids, and don't know how disturbing a,albeit animated, beheading can be to a child. Yes, it's a princess Mononoke party. What a success!!! My son watched most of it, although we often had to say things like..."oh look the man's head came off...isn't the grass green". This is a gorgeous adult film...This director has been called the Disney of Japan, and I am afraid that does him some disservice. Surely, this film deals in moral ambiguity like Walt dealt in surreal Pink Elephants, but again it seems like a misnomer...the inability for us to accept things for what they are but rather name them some american equivalent> This is challenging, mystical, beautiful stuff that shouldn't be compared to anything else. Environmental issues, life and death and morals are all dealt with in a very different way. This is a film that will stay with you, haunt you, because it doesn't refuse to take a stand, but rather takes many stands, and doesn't back away.Sure, you'll get thrown off if you want, by American voices but the power of lifes ambiguity remains. Check this one out...but put your kid in the other room, or be prepared to divert him.

Rating:
Summary: Not like any movie. A must see!
Review: This is not like any Japanese animated movie or any other animated film. It is not a lost adventure like Pokemon, neither is it a classic cutesy by Disney or Dreamworks. This is a film that quickly caught my eyes and ears because of its rare beauty and incredibly poignant feelings(I love anything that is poignant and this film is no exception). I was quickly captured by the story of a young warrior cursed by a demon god. The demon itself was cursed by anger and hatred it held towards the destructive humans. The animal gods and the humans fought many wars against each other, but their hatred only brought destruction to themselves. There also was the forest spirit who brought both life and death, and could give life to some, but death to others. The whole story I found to be gripping and thrilling. The curse, that evil hating curse that could eat people and animals alive. The conflict between man and beast that did not have to happen. The wolf girl, San, also known as Princess Mononoke, who was neither wolf or human. And the mysterious forest god of life and death, pain and relief. One thing that distinguishes this move from others is that no one is a good guy or a bad guy. Just about every person has good and evil in them, but hate and anger can infest and destroy anyone. I have never known of a more captivating movie. The animation was beautiful and not over done, but very simple and artistic. The gore and violence is hard to stomache, but it brings more poignant feelings to the viewer. The music is also very beautiful and ethereal(some might say it sounds very "Enya-like"). There is absolutely no reason why you should not see this movie. If you think, "oh, it's just an ordinary Japanese movie", or "Oh, it's not as great as it sounds", you're wrong! This is one of the greatest films I have ever seen. If you do not see this movie,you are missing out on a lot.

Rating:
Summary: Best Animated Movie Ever
Review: "Princess Mononoke" is the most magical animated film I've ever seen. In fact, it's one of the best films I've ever seen, period. Combined with an epic fantasy story, graceful and beautiful animation, enchanting music, and amazing action, "Princess Mononoke" is "perfect". I loved, loved, loved it!

The DVD is a must-buy! It doesn't contain many extra features, but does that matter? Once you hear Mononoke in Dolby Digital and see it in anamorphic widescreen, you will realize it's well worth the money. Nobody who considers themself a movie-lover should be without "Princess Mononoke".

Rating:
Summary: An outstanding gem -- both the movie and DVD.
Review: Wow. I first saw Princess Mononoke during its limited theatrical release (twice). Many people have issues with the dub, but this is by far the best dubbed anime ever to be released -- I, like most anime fans, normally insist on subtitles, but Neil Gaiman and the cast succeeded in putting real emotion into these characters. The casting of Billy Bob Thornton and Claire Danes might rub some ears the wrong way, but in my opinion the emotional impact is still there regardless of the odd accents. In any case, the Japanese track is included, and it's phenomenal. As for its content, most arguments about its violence and length can be dismissed by viewing it as a film, rather than as a cartoon. It's not Disney. The plot is a complex and delicate exercise in shades of gray. Don't expect Akira or Macross either -- it's really not of the same genre.

The video and audio quality is the sort that you would use to show off your new home theater system. In fact, I found the Japanese soundtrack to be richer and better dynamically balanced than the English track (!). Disney/Miramax really took advantage of the format by including BOTH the Japanese and English opening titles and credits -- they are automatically selected depending on your choice of language via an angle switch. Transparent and ingenious. There are two sets of subtitles -- one for the English track, and the other is the literal translation of the Japanese (since some liberties were taken in creating the English script).

Disney was originally going to release "Mononoke Hime" without the original language track, which created an outrage among anime fans (who, myself included, signed a massive internet petition which eventually turned the tide). I applaud this decision, as well as the splendid attention to detail. It has made this incredible movie an even better value.

Rating:
Summary: A few brief words about a really great film...
Review: Generally I dislike Japanese anime films. I suppose this is due more to my own misinformation about the genre as well as the incomprehesible success of the Pokemon phenomena and its ilk. However there are two anime films that I have included on my personal list of truly great cinema; the first is Isao Takahata's powerful anti-war film "Grave of the Fireflies" and the second is Hayao Miyazaki's "Princess Mononoke". The film contains some of the most impressive and visually stunning images in an animated feature (or even a live action film for that matter) that I have seen in a very long while. But make no mistake, this is no family fun Disney film. The story and its themes are quite complex and you will have to have an above average attention span to fully appreciate it (a little background in Japanese mythology couldn't hurt either). While I have a long ways to go before I could call myself an anime fan, films such as "Princess Mononoke" have demonstrated to me what the genre is capable of and I look forward to seeing other films by Mr. Miyazaki and other filmakers of his caliber.

Rating:
Summary: Superb
Review: I have to say with out a doubt this is by far my favorite Anime film yet. It has totally taken over the Industry and I think will be the anime standard for years to come.

Rating:
Summary: Nice Nice
Review: Princess Mononoke is indeed a wonderful movie. The story is absolutely gripping and the animation is breath takingly breath taking. But there are some parts of the movie that do tend to be boring. Don't get me wrong, I loved this movie, but it does have its slow parts where it has the viewer shouting, "get on with it!" Also the translation is great, but there are some weird moments where you just have to go "huh?" I don't want to ruin the movie, so I'm not going to put any examples. I also want to let the squeamish people know that the violence in the movie is no where near "saving Private Ryan" range. There's some cutting off of some limbs, but the animation makes it more humorous than sickening. All in all, Princess Mononoke is a keeper for the many Anime fans out there. For the non-anime fans, try renting it first, before actually making a purchase. Oh yeah! Also before watching the movie, I had extremely high expectations, that maybe the reason why I found some parts of the movie boring. That's all I have to say.

Rating:
Summary: ANIME - not your typical animation
Review: Growing up I knew there were two types of Animation, one was the bland american servings of Disney and Warner Brothers... and the other side of the coin which was Japanese Anime.

Anime was not huckleberry hound or mickey mouse or something lame like that. Anime was action filled and it had a storyline that keeps you glued to the screen. This was animation for the thinking person, anime brings to life what may sometimes be difficult to play live action. Also, this reads like a powerful comic book.

Back to Princess Mononoke, I am thoroughly impressed by this production. The Mythicism and Magic that this film invokes is priceless. I was at awe watching these beasts... I was enthralled as to what will happen next. And the whole rollercoaster ride is what it really is... a powerpacked punch that is riddled with Imagination.

All I am saying is that this film is great. YOU DEFINITELY HAVE TO SEE IT!

Rating:
Summary: Fabulous! Anime at its best!
Review: Princess Mononoke is one of the best anime films I've ever seen. Each scene is breathtaking. When I saw this for the first time, I hadn't heard anything about anime. I was introduced to a whole new world of filmmaking, one that I didn't know existed. I would recommend this to anyone, and if you liked it try movies like "Ghost in the Shell" or "Nausicaa."