Spirited Away
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Movie Reviews of Spirited Away
Movie Review: No-face people in the train
Summary: 5 Stars
I noticed there're so many reviews here for my favorite, and want to add the one of mine.
Though I'm a Japanese, I think English version is much better than Japanese. Some says there is a bit misleading in English version. I agree there're some "differences", but these are not misleading. For example, in the last scene, Chihiro says "Deal is a deal" to Yubaba and receives the final test. In Japanese version, Chihiro says that she heard from Haku and understands there's some strict rule to remove a curse on her parents so she will receive the final test. That's quite different. However, I love English interpretation. If the world of English version is unified and active as art, it is natural to accept such differences. English version is the original art instance/object created from the same art "class", from that Japanese instance was created. Each instance has the different original art fulfillment. English voices by Daveigh Chase, Jason Marsden and all other actresses and actors are great! I have to say I'm a little disappointed by Japanese version at this point. And I'm sorry I cannot understand French though this DVD includes French instance.
I'd like to call attentions that Lewis Carroll's Alice lives in Spirited Away. There is a cultural tradition in Japan that has received this great art in UK since Kenji Miyazawa expressed Alice's impact into his literature published in 1924. In 1970s and 80s, Alice was discussed enthusiastically in Japan with the relationship in tradition of UK; Shakespeare to John Lennon and with the context of cultural anthropology. I'm sure that Hayao Miyazaki had been in this cultural movement in those days in Japan.
I watched and enjoyed this movie more than about 50 times now, and I will still continue this experience a little more. Don't worry, that's my normal attitude to the favorite movies of DVD and video. In these experiences, I had been keeping one question in my mind. It is Chihiro's traveling scene in the mysterious train like Kenji Miyazawa's "Night on the Galactic Railroad". People in the train are all no-face except Chihiro's group. I was wondering why. There's no explanation from the author. And then, I noticed "No-Face" of Chihiro's group is the same kind as the other no-face people in the train. Then I realized that no-face people are not spirits or gods like guests in the spa house, but human. Both of the human and spirits worlds shares this train. From spirits side, human looks like shadow. Chihiro stopped changing to the shadow with the help of Haku in the first scene, by the way. And finally I discovered No-Face, an important character in this movie, is a monster and also a symbol of human. That's a wonderful art expression and message. I think I will still discover something new for me by continuing to enjoy Spirited Away. It's really a very rich movie.
Movie Review: Spirited Away has me blown away
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm writing this after having seen Spirited Away for the second time. It is simply a wonderful movie. For the moviegoing viewers that get their dose of anime from Dragonball Z, this movie may be disappointing. There are no transforming robots, no busty, big-eyed heroines, or letcherous schoolboys being hit with giant hyperdimensional hammers. For parents looking for something to take their kids to, this movie requires a little consideration. I've heard many parents complain that it's too scary for their kids. Indeed, it may be a bit visually dynamic for your average preschooler, but it's no worse than the kind of stuff you're letting them watch in Ren & Stimpy or the aforementioned Dragonball Z. I've seen more parents buying kids the 8-Mile DVD than taking their kids to see Spirited Away. Bear in mind that PG is not the new G. PG still implies there are things in the movie that may require parental guidance. Parents should keep in mind that animation is viewed as an art form in Japan, and that not all animated movies are kiddie fodder such as Disney fare and Pokemon. On the whole, I would say Spirited Away is no scarier than Disney's early Snow White, or their adaptation of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. This, however, definitely is not Bambi.Many folks may also be put off by the talk of Spirited Away being a "weird" movie. IMO, Spirited Away is kind of a Japanese version of Alice in Wonderland. I won't go into the details of the movie, which you can easily find other places online. One must keep in mind that this is a **Japanese** film, and what is weird to Western moviegoers is not so to Eastern viewers. The film draws heavily on its Japanese roots, incorporating storytelling elements from Japanese literature, theatre, folklore, and even Shinto and Buddhist elements.
Visually, the movie is a feast for the eyes. Even if you don't care much for the story, the backgrounds are breathtaking. This is not a cartoon that is cranked out for the purpose of merchandising, but an animated feast that is lovingly crafted to convey a story. To say this movie is a mere cartoon is like saying the original Mona Lisa is a suitable placemat for a TV tray.
Spirited Away is a breath of fresh air among animated movies that are little more than FX extravaganzas. It is a movie that tells a story about the power of the human heart to prevail in even the most inhuman of situations. Conflicts are not resolved with swords and scorcery, but with compassion and insight. This is a movie that demonstrates that the knowledge of who you are as a person is more valuable than mad kung-fu skills or "catching them all."
To sum up, Spirited Away is, as I have come to refer to it, an "animated hiaku."
Movie Review: Spirited Away
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of my favorite anime movies. Its extremely charming, appropriate for everyone, and has a good lesson involved. What's not to love in a movie?
In this animated movie, Chihiro, a young girl, is traveling to her new home with her mother and father when they get lost. They find themselves in an abandoned town that is filled with some good food. Her mother and father start eating while Chihiro explores and when she gets back they have been turned to pigs. With the help of Hoku, a young boy who mysteriously appears, Chihiro learns that she is in the spirt world, most specifically at a bathhouse run by a devious witch.
At the bathhouse Chihiro learns what hard work and kindness is as she seeks a cure for her parents. She also becomes friends with Hoku and has to help him and the bathhouse when trouble is afoot. Its an awful lot for a young girl though, specially one that isn't used to hard work. Sometimes Chihiro wonders if she'll ever get home.
Even though Chihiro is supposed to be annoying I never really get that from her. She just seems like a young timid girl to me that faces a lot and has slightly mean parents. All of the people of the bathhouse are interesting; they're unique spirits to be sure. And Chihiro finds some good friends there as well. There are a couple of "scary" characters in this that might frighten younger children, but they add a lot to the plot and it is interesting to see Chihiro interacting with them. Hoku especially is a hard character to read but even so, the viewer has to trust Chihiro in regards to him.
There are some unusual plot elements to this movie and rituals that I don't quite understand. I judge them to be either the makings of a child's mind or something exclusive to the writer's country that they would understand there. Regardless, it makes it whimsical and doesn't detract from the story at all. And it is a good story about growing. Chihiro does a marvelous job and really develops some loyalty to her friends. While the ending does rush a bit, it still is very nice and finishes out the story well. I was pleased with it anyway.
For cinematography, since it is a cartoon type film there's not special effects per say. But the animation is done really well, there's a lot of neat scenes in this movie. Most especially the train ride is very poignant to me. Combined with the great music in this film, it just really speaks to you. A lot of the other scenes are touching as well.
A really touching movie and good for the whole family. Even if you aren't a fan of anime, this is one you should see.
Review by M. Reynard 2011
Movie Review: Hayao Miyazaki's Latest Masterpiece
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
Movie Review: So much to see, so little time
Summary: 5 Stars
The reviewer who was disappointed with this movie confounds me. Too much going on? That's what I call wonderful! Having multiple layers to the story means that we can watch the movie again and again, and each time uncover something that before, went unnoticed. This is a movie that keeps on giving and because of it, it continues to entertain, give us pause for thought, and ultimately, rates high on the "good value for the money" scale. How many DVDs do you buy that never get watched again? I know we have dozens. This movie however, has been watched dozens of times and still continues to feed us. (When I say "us" I mean a family - Dad in his 50s, mom in her late 30s, a 9 YO and a 2 year old who is now nearing 3.)When we rented the movie without any preconceived notions, I was skeptical that I would find it enjoyable. But we were bored with all of the usual family movies, which tend to be short on depth and long on stupidity, so I picked it up.
From the moment I saw the rippling of the water and wondered how on Earth anyone could produce animation that looked so real I was intrigued. The attention to detail in the art was simply mind blowing. And then as the story began to unfold, I was impressed not only with the inventiveness of the story, but how it was so rich in content on so many levels. By the end of the movie, which I watched with my two children, I wanted to watch it again. I knew there was more to see and learn. It was to me, a puzzle to unravel.
Since that first viewing, we purchased the DVD set, watched all of the extras, including each and every trailer in Japanese. We've purchased Kiki's Delivery Service and Castle in the Sky and are awaiting the release of more Ghibli films via Disney. Personally, I find the more straightforward nature of Kiki and Castle less appealing to me, though both my children love the stories. I guess it all depends on how you are built, whether you want something that spells it all out for you, versus something that reveals itself with time and thought. (Or hey, maybe I'm just thick! ;-) )
But for me, the entertainment value of Spirited Away from a mindless eye-candy sort of approach all the way to an intellectual experience, is simply way beyond any other movie I have ever watched. That doesn't make this movie the deepest movie I've ever seen, nor the most beautiful movie I have ever seen. It simply combines so many good things into a single package that I daresay I have not seen a movie to rival it.
I'm sorry I didn't cover the story in this review, but I think that's been done sufficiently by others.