Rating: 
Summary: Weird? Grotesque? Well, this is Japan!
Review: As a Japanese, I was totally fluttered by whom rated this film 5-stars and gave kind praises to it as if it is me who are praised. On the other hand, it saddens me a little that there are some people who don't like it at all. But can't complain, I guess, as it would be natural thing.
Interestingly, though, most of those who say "Didn't like it" seem to just not understand the whole concept of the film that is, say, "Japaneseness".Weird, odd and grotesque creatures? Well, some of them may be Miyazaki's creations, but the most of them are not uncommon at all in Japanese forklores. We have a milliards of gods and spirits and monsters (most of them are harmless and good-hearted unless you are harmful to them!).
While many of Japanese would say of themselves as non-religeous or rather nonchalant about religions, but, in fact, they are quite superstitious. I could say most of the Japanese are animists deep down in their souls. (Existence of the souls is a priori here, by the way)
Some years ago, then prime minister Mori said "Japan is a gods' land."in a meeting of Shinto (it means "gods' way") priests and stirred a controversy among the left-wingers in and outside of Japan because the phrase was interpreted as "the Divine Land" like in the Christianity's sense. This was unfortunate misunderstanding since, in Japan, mountains, rivers, trees, rocks, earth, and even cooking fire-places have gods in them. Virtually speaking, gods are everywhere. Gods mean the nature itself. So, Mr. Mori said only a matter of course about Japan. In Japan, children are (or, I might say, used to be) taught not to disturb or impurify those places or things or animals that have gods or spirits in them, or you may get a curse____ like Chihiro's parents did!
It was interesting part of this film to me that Chihiro's Mother (and Father too, I guess) apparently had some knowledges about those gods' houses (Hokora, in Japanese), still, they felt nothing awesome about it. It was Chihiro, who was evidently ignorant about those gods' stuff, lazy and self-centred modern day girl, that sensed something unearthly of them and felt a strong objection to intrude into the gods' domain, almost instinctively.
That made me think about the national identity of the Japanese that, they say, many of us have lost since the defeat of the world war 2 because the American occupation policy denied "Japanese spirit", that is much based on this somekind of religious feelings every Japanese could have at the bottom of their hearts, as a dangerous thought and tried to wipe it out so that the "saucy" Japanese would never stand up against America.
Maybe you could say that Chihiro's parents are typical of post-war Japanese who have been educated in that left-tilted, sort of self-denying way.
But, thankfully, it has certainly remained in hearts of us. Some of us, if not all of us. That is, I think, why this film moved the hearts of such a large number of audience in Japan. Especially the grown-ups who, I think, have searched everywhere and everyday for the "Japanese spirit" that they can identify with their own Japaneseness. Another significance of this film is that it has restored old virtues such as diligence, being free from avarice and respectful to your superiors, and courage those have been quite neglected recently. That is one main reason why I want my children to watch this film outside the fact that it is simplly a great fun and a joy for the eyes, although they (especially my youngest who was 4 when she saw this film for the first time in Japan) just admire it and watch it for a million times without telling to do so. By the way, I was shocked by a review with 1-star rating that says Chihiro's work experience in the Bath House as a "slavedom". It reminded me an English person accusing me of using my children like slaves when I asked them to help me do the household chore. When I was young, it was perfectly nomal for the children to help their parents, I admit it is not always true these days, though.
Moreover, for the Japanese, working is not only for living but rather high-minded thing to do, I would say. (At reast it was so just a decade ago until the "bubble" thing made everyone crazy.) Anyway, finding so many foreigners love this "very Japanese" film makes me almost cry. It means a lot to me. Knowing entire of other people are not disapproval of your cultural origin makes me so happy. That sense of tolerance would make the world much better place to live. Thank you all, and I am proud of you very much, Mr. Miyazaki.
Rating:
Summary: Academy Award-winning for a reason!
Review: At the time of this review's writing, Spirited Away just won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, beating out Lilo & Stitch, Treasure Planet, Spirit, and Ice Age. It also bears the distinction of being the first Japanese animation to win the award. I say, there was no contest. Spirited Away is a fantastic and deep movie, with characters that feel very much alive, even though they're obviously animated drawings. Miyazaki, the director, deliberately instructed his animators to focus on the tiny human details of everyday actions, such as eating. The animators were actually in the studio's cafeteria, filming their coworkers. This attention to detail is what makes the movie come alive. Chihiro sits down and carefully inches her way down a steep stairway on the outside of a building. Chihiro's mother bites a strip of meat off a cooked bird, and pulls sideways with her jaw, not straight out. (The meat doesn't streeeeetch and pop, either.) It just seems REAL. And then, of course, the movie really begins and things get somewhat surreal. The parade of creatures crossing the bridge is just the beginning: Robed figures wearing masks and holding fans in front of their faces, creatures that appear to be giant chickadees, weird monster-like creatures with tusks and horns and green hair. And they're being welcomed by humanish frogs. And that's just the beginning of the movie. But, at the same time, with all these fantastic spirits and creatures, the movie maintains its human element: Chihiro. She is the only real human in most of the movie, and it is her ability to adapt, and to care, that propels the story. Chiriho grows. She learns that she has to make it on her own initiative if she wants to get what she needs. If you're still with me, hopefully you're not of the mind that cartoons are just for kids. This movie has a PG rating for a reason. It's not for young children. There is some blood, and a few moments that would probably scare anyone under the age of 8 or so. However, this movie is for kids and adults not because of that, but because of how deep and meaningful its story is. Months after seeing it in theatres, I was still picking out pieces of theme from the film. There is a lot in here: Themes of identity and names, friendship, giving, family, greed, love, bravery, survival, maturity, and self-sacrifice. Miyazaki also gave the story another aspect of realism: There is no clearly-defined "good" and "bad" guy. The heroine (Chihiro) is not perfect, though she tries hard to be strong. The 'villain' has a warm, caring side that she reserves for only one person. The mysterious character with unclear motives takes an unexpected turn. Miyazaki refuses to paint the story in extremes of black and white. What does this mean? He writes the story with all the detail and care it deserves, knowing you'll have to be paying attention. All of this to say, watch this movie. I believe you'll thank me for it.
Rating:
Summary: A movie worth seeing with your tween daughter
Review: First, Spirited Away is about a little girl, but it is NOT A MOVIE FOR LITTLE KIDS. This is something I feel should be stated up front for all the folks (*cough*mundanes*cough*) who think that anything that's animated is for kiddies. It ain't. Welcome to the world of anime. Actually, let me amend that. There seems to be some anime apologists who are afraid the film will get a bad rap if parents are told that it's not for children. Well foo on them too. This is not a movie suitable for young children. I'll explain more in a moment. And what a world it is. A young girl named Chihiro travels with her parents to their new home and on the way, take a short cut to what looks like an abandoned theme park. Her parents wander heedlessly into the grounds and find some delicious-smelling food, which they consume. Then they turn into pigs. It's not a blink-and-you-miss-it special effect. It's a slow, terrifying effect. Chihiro's parents turn into big, fat, squealing pigs. It's horrible -- it's meant to be. Remember the not for kids warning? This is one reason why. Chihiro is not without her allies. She meets Haku, a river dragon who appears to her in boy form (most of the time). With his help and guidance, Chihiro manages to survive her transition into what turns out to be the spirit world. She makes friends with a moustached, goggled spider-like being who runs the boilerroom and finds employment with Yubaba, the domineering old crone who runs the bathhouse. Being that I've written a few fantasy books set in Russian fairytales (see Tsar Rising and The Dancing Hut), words like "bathhouse," "crone," and "Yubaba" ring bells. I'm saddened that very few reviewers picked up on the movie's inspiration. The movie takes many of its cues from Russian myth. Yubaba = Baba Yaga, the infamous hag. Just as Yubaba has a baby she fawns over, Baba Yaga alternately menaces and cares for children. She has a host of young girls working for her in some stories -- in others, she is a cannibal. The parallels are all there. There's more: Yubaba has a twin sister, Zeniba. In Russian myth, there's typically three hags (all sisters), but the similarity is unmistakable. And of course there's the bathhouse itself. In both Russian and Japanese myth, the bathhouse is a magical place where the spirits take over at midnight. Which is precisely what happens in Spirited Away. And oh yeah, there's a two-headed eagle (a symbol of old Russia) on Yubaba's tapestry. Of course, nobody pays attention to Russia these days for reasons I can only ascribe to the Cold War. There are plenty of elements that aren't from Russian myth. No-Face, a strange demon that leeches off of other people's personalities, changes from a benevolent ally to a monstrous thing that tries to eat everyone in the bathhouse. It moans and wails, it eats people, it's really quite gross and scary -- not for kids. What the movie does have is charm. Love, friendship, trust -- all these things help Chichiro to survive. Her good-hearted actions save her (just like in Russian myth...most of the time) and help her defeat Yubaba at her own game. The animation is superb. The voice acting (including the dub) is excellent. Disney is giving Japanese anime the respect it deserves. See it. This movie IS worth seeing with your tween daughter. As in, 10 years old and up.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Movie from a Master in the Art
Review: You can read the descriptions of the plot anywhere. But what is missing is the story behind the movie. I never heard of this director or his works before. It was in a review I read in Osaka that spoke of him. Later I caught his name when a Disney Animator talked about him in obvious awe. In the story I read in Japan Miyazaki-san did something I can only imagine. He would draw thousands of frames himself. His style is that of ancient Japanese art. This is a man who does so for the love of the works results rather than a box office take. So when I finally saw this movie with English subtitles I was not only caught up with the story, characters and rich beauty but I was in awe of the details and timing and work done by Miyazaki-san. Details you would never see even in the best that Disney can offer. Afterthoughts, things going on all over the screen. Things that no computer could do (Miyazaki-san disdains computers). Its an amazing thing when you realize what he had done. Even Maxim magazine, believe it or not, said they didn't understand it, but it was and I quote "beautiful". Talk about praise from an unexpected source. The efforts in this movie are only touched on when you see the Japanese special (especially informative on animation construction).
This movie came and went in one week showing in one theater in all of Syracuse. My family wasn't interested so they never saw it in the U.S. I saw it in Japan and told my wife about it. It came through town again and she took the kids to see it. They sat quiet for the whole movie and talked about it for a week.
Everyone who has seen it has been floored by it.
Remember when you see this movie that many things are said through silence and done so well that you get the message. Thoughts conveyed with eye movement rather than dialogs. The details you pick up whether you want to or not will amaze you. Also remember that Magic does not always makes sense.
The only thing I saw wrong with this DVD was not the movie itself but when the President of Pixar brought Miyazaki-san in front of the camera, pointed to it and presented him to the world. Miyazaki-san's obvious discomfort to this publicity was embarrassing. I cannot fault the Pixar's guy for his enthusiasm but I saw a man who did not do something like this for such publicity.
So skip that part and go right to the movie. Sit back by yourself or better with a crowd and enjoy. I also suggest you buy it if you can afford it. You will watch it again.
Rating:
Summary: Simply wow....
Review: There's only one word to summarise this movie, 'wow!'. It's a movie well done and is one of the best movies in the modern era. I've seen it for a countless number of times and still continue to do so, and each time I do, I watch it as though I am watching it for the very first time.
If you haven't seen this movie yet, I recommend you to buy it rather than rent it. I promise that you won't be disappointed =)
Rating:
Summary: Miyazaki is a genius
Review: If you have an open mind and are not afraid to give things a go this film will leave you speechless. The animation is simply beautiful, the music is fantastic, and the story is completely unlike anything you will have ever seen before -
Personally I recommend the Japanese speech version as I found it less childish, but nevertheless the English dubbing is very well done. Also the 2 disc set with special features is a much more complete package and well worth the extra few quid.
Go on, give it a go! Live a little!
I dare you to try Miyazaki's Spirited Away and not love it!
Rating:
Summary: The best movie of all time
Review: although this movie was made for kids, adults will love it too. I ve watched this movie 73 times. it never gets old. not once in 73 times. watch it once and get sucked in. the charming story of a girl lost in a spirit world and the cutest dragon in the saving her puts a freakin' twinkle in your heart and a burp in your belly.
THIS MOVIE IS THE BEST EVER!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Another Masterpiece from Director Hayao Miyzaki
Review: Not enough can be said about the greatest animator to come along in the last 40 years. Writer and director, Hayao Miyazaki, is responsible for animated classics such as "My Neighbor Totoro," and "Kiki's Delivery Service." That's not to also mention perhaps the greatest animated feat since Disney's "Fantasia," "Princess Mononoke." At the 2003 Academy Awards his movie "Spirited Away" received the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film, with help from well over 100 top-ten lists from some of today's most well known critics. Chihiro is the typical ten-year-old; especially when it comes to moving to a new house and a new way of life. Already frightened and unsure about the future Chihiro is confronted with a new challenge when her father misses the turnoff to their new home and winds up at the entrance of a seemingly abandon theme park. "It's an abandon theme park . . . they built them everywhere in the early nineties. Then the economy went bad, and they all went bankrupt. This must be one of them . . ." Dusk approaches as Chihiro's parents decide to investigate. They cross a long field of grass and soon pickup on the scent of food lingering in the air. After several minutes of looking they find several steaming dishes of food at a counter. Chihiro's parents decide to help themselves, even at the requests of Chihiro to leave. Paying no attention to her Chihiro decides to go for a walk and shortly after runs into the mysterious young character, Haku, who hastily insists that she leave before dark. But it is too late. Large, ghostlike shadows begin to appear out of encroaching dusk. Chihiro runs to where her parents are eating only to find two enormous pigs where her parents once sat. Horrified, Chihiro calls out their names to no avail. She tries to run away, only to find the field she had crossed earlier, is now a lake. It is here that Chihiro encounters an enchanting new world that will test her own abilities, and make light of the ones within her. I know most folks are thinking this is another one of them "coming of age" stories. And maybe you're right. But you're wrong to grade "Spirited Away" by same criteria as the Hollywood same-old-same-old. Yes, the movie is animated, which probably sends most people's thoughts of the movie straight to the "kiddie realm," and I'd have to say you're wrong again. Hayao Miyazaki is heavily credited for re-inventing the definition of animation. Though his characters are drawn, the essence they encapsulate is so much more than people give credit for. His stories are deep, enthralling, and touching. They strike at the very chord of human imagination, and all its capacities. After the first five minutes of this movie, I forgot I was watching "cartoon" characters and began to see them as real people; which ironically happens in just about all of Miyazaki's films. Miyazaki redefines the genre of animation by giving thought into every aspect of his work. The backgrounds are rich in detail and deep in soul. Every shot has been specifically placed to tell the story in its amazing entirety. In fact Miyazaki personally checks and re-checks every drawing that will be placed in the final cut. Animation allows the plot to shine and Miyazaki's original concepts to surface in a way that has never been done before. This is a man that takes pride in his work, and it is a fact that is strongly evident in every epic he creates. Although the movie places a strong emphasis on entertaining the younger crowd, several subtle messages are placed in various points throughout the film. One example would be that of the character No Face who offers those in the bathhouse with gold. We later find that No Face is actuality a monster who eats other spirits. I believe this is representative of opportunities that are too good to be true. If you're not careful they'll take you down with them. Also, Kamaji, the boiler room man, at first tries to dissuade Chihiro from getting a job by proclaiming that there are none left. However, we find that Chihiro's adherent persistence eventually gets her a job. And perhaps the most evident is that of Chihiro signing away her name to the witch Yubaba for a job. Yubaba gives her the name Sen, and as we work our way through the film we find that Chihiro begins to forget her old name until she is helped by Haku. In this way symbolizing the thought that we must never forget who we are, regardless of circumstance. With this movie Hayao Miyazaki has again teamed up with famous Japanese composer Joe Hisaishi. Hisaishi does a great job at articulating screen to sheet; every note resonates with the essence of the movie. I heartily believe that the movie could not have reached its full potential without the musical direction of Mr. Hisaishi. This is an excellent DVD set worthy of any cinematic collection that strives for greatness. By far this is the best-marketed and extra-featured DVD that any of Miyazaki's movies have enjoyed in the states. But perhaps the most enjoyable feature is the Nippon Television Special - The Making of The Film (Spirited Away) on the bonus disc. The television special shows the inner workings of the Studio Ghibli animation company. The Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound gives a more lifelike feel to the film, and the included original Japanese language track is always on the checklist for hardcore anime fans. The only downside of the DVD set is the "Spirited Away" introduction by John Lasseter at the beginning of the movie. Disney's last hope in taking some credit for Hayao Miyazaki's work. Ah, but I digress the movie speaks for more than itself and is one of the finer things in life that make it so enjoyable. Miyazaki San, you never cease to amaze . . .
Rating:
Summary: Hayao Miyazaki's Latest Masterpiece
Review: From the legendary Studio Ghibli and anime director Hayao Miyazaki (of "Princess Mononoke," "Castle in the Sky," and "Kiki's Delivery Service," among others) comes a new favorite among otaku (anime fans) world-wide. "Spirited Away" is the story of a young Japanese girl named Chihiro (literally, "heroine") who is, as the title implies, taken from her normal life and deposited reluctantly in a small town built around a bathhouse for spirits. Chihiro overcomes fear and other obstacles, including a large, faceless monster and a black-hearted witch named Yubaba (literally, "old hag") to save her parents from a rather unpleasant fate. The story is exciting, well-paced, and thoughtful, with a good mix of humor, symbolism, emotion, traditional Japanese legend, and moral. From an animation standpoint, "Spirited Away" is astounding. The sheer amount of movement and energy in Hayao Miyazaki's most recent work is quite impressive. Combined with the beautiful scenery (including several awe-inspiring and detailed shots of the bathhouse that can by themselves be regarded as masterpieces), and the realistic textures of the grass blowing in the wind, the flower gardens around the bathhouse, and the interior of the bathhouse, "Spirited Away" is truly a work of art. The only flaw in the otherwise near-perfect film is the dialogue. A few lines sound a little forced, and some intended to be funny simply aren't. Fortunately, these slip-ups are few and far between. Already, "Spirited Away" has earned several prestigous distinctions, including the 2003 Oscar award for Best Animated Feature. Also, "Spirited Away" was anime released in movie theaters, which is rare in the United States. Ever rarer, it became the top-grossing film in America for several weekends in a row. Not surprisingly, it was also popular in Japan, where it became the top-grossing film in that nation's history. Most people I have talked to have been very impressed with the quality of "Spirited Away." Many of these have been adults, mislead by the films "Disney" tag. When they sat down to watch it with their kids, they simply expected another children's movie, but instead found a film they could enjoy and appreciate as well. On the face, the plot is simple enough for younger kids to understand, but the symbolism and artwork is so complicated and intricate that it can be enjoyed by adults and older kids as well. In other words, however cliché those words may be, this film really does have something for everyone, and is well worth your time and your twenty-five dollars.
Rating:
Summary: stunning, riveting, fascinating
Review: I pay compliments when they are due, so when I do it means that it soars far past excellence. Spirited Away is the most unique, beautiful, toching, creative, and plot-ladden, movie that has been created in ages. It 'spirited" me away on an adventure that will never be forgottan. More original then any movie I have ever seen, and put together beautifully. Great for kids and adults.
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