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Amazon.co.uk Review
This epic, animated 1997 fantasy has already made history as the top-grossing domestic feature ever released in Japan, where its combination of mythic themes, mystical forces, and ravishing visuals tapped deeply into cultural identity and contemporary, ecological anxieties. For international animation and anime fans, Princess Mononoke represents an auspicious next step for its revered creator, Hayao Miyazaki (My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service), an acknowledged anime pioneer, whose painterly style, vivid character design, and stylized approach to storytelling take ambitious, evolutionary steps here.
Set in medieval Japan, Miyazaki's original story envisions a struggle between nature and man. The march of technology, embodied in the dark iron forges of the ambitious Tatara clan, threatens the natural forces explicit in the benevolent Great God of the Forest and the wide-eyed, spectral spirits he protects. When Ashitaka, a young warrior from a remote, and endangered, village clan, kills a ravenous, boar-like monster, he discovers the beast is in fact an infectious "demon god," transformed by human anger. Ashitaka's quest to solve the beast's fatal curse brings him into the midst of human political intrigues as well as the more crucial battle between man and nature.
Miyazaki's convoluted fable is clearly not the stuff of kiddie matinees, nor is the often graphic violence depicted during the battles that ensue. If some younger viewers (or less attentive older ones) will wish for a diagram to sort out the players, Miyazaki's atmospheric world and its lush visual design are reasons enough to watch. For the English-language version, Miramax assembled an impressive vocal cast including Gillian Anderson, Billy Crudup (as Ashitaka), Claire Danes (as San), Minnie Driver (as Lady Eboshi), Billy Bob Thornton, and Jada Pinkett Smith. They bring added nuance to a very different kind of magic kingdom. Recommended for ages 12 and older. --Sam Sutherland
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
88 of 89 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
In my opinion this is the best film from Studio Ghibli, and possibly the best animated film ever. This is because all of the different parts- the images, the story and the music- work together perfectly to transport the viewer to another world. Yes, it is set in Japan, but a Japan where iron was still a novelty and giant talking animal-gods ruled the land.
The imagery is probably the first thing that blew me away with this film. Even at the very beginning, there is about half a second of the hero, Ashitaka, riding through a wood, with the light and shade dappling his clothing so realistically that you are almost fooled into thinking it's a live-action shot they've sneaked in. The design of the characters, from the humans to the gods, is flawless, and some show real imagination (particularly the kodama).
The film's story is also brilliantly written, and never feels rushed or drawn out (although the ending feels a little abrupt). I won't waste time with a synopsis (as there's one above). I found that I became really emotionally attached to all of the characters, and you are constantly torn between which side you want to win; I eventually sided with Ashitaka, who basically just wants everyone to get along together, and although I found the ending a little rushed, it was extremely well done, and tied up most loose ends whilst leaving a sense of mystery.
However, it is the music that I think really makes this film stand out. The tunes are all beautiful on their own, but when paired with the imagery they help enormously to bring out all the emotions that Miyazaki (probably) intended. After hearing the song in the final scene, you'll have it stuck in your head for days.
Finally, I would say that this film is, like all anime, best viewed in the Japanese, with subtitles. The dub is better than most, but quite a few things are altered (for example most of the final scene, which really is the bit that should have been left intact). I also found that the American accents of the actors helped to remind me that I was watching a film, as opposed to living it. Be warned though, if watching with younger children; the subtitles do include a b-word or two.
Although some people have complained about the violence and gore, I don't think this is justified. Ghibli don't just make films for little kids, and Miyazaki wouldn't have included meaningless violence, as it's just not his style. It serves to remind us of the constant conflict between man and nature, and how cruel humans can be, which is one of the hardest-hitting messages in the film.
Overall, this is a film that you can't really go wrong with, as it's enjoyable on every level. Apart from very small children, this is great for any age group, and every self-respecting film fan should have it on their shelf.
The imagery is probably the first thing that blew me away with this film. Even at the very beginning, there is about half a second of the hero, Ashitaka, riding through a wood, with the light and shade dappling his clothing so realistically that you are almost fooled into thinking it's a live-action shot they've sneaked in. The design of the characters, from the humans to the gods, is flawless, and some show real imagination (particularly the kodama).
The film's story is also brilliantly written, and never feels rushed or drawn out (although the ending feels a little abrupt). I won't waste time with a synopsis (as there's one above). I found that I became really emotionally attached to all of the characters, and you are constantly torn between which side you want to win; I eventually sided with Ashitaka, who basically just wants everyone to get along together, and although I found the ending a little rushed, it was extremely well done, and tied up most loose ends whilst leaving a sense of mystery.
However, it is the music that I think really makes this film stand out. The tunes are all beautiful on their own, but when paired with the imagery they help enormously to bring out all the emotions that Miyazaki (probably) intended. After hearing the song in the final scene, you'll have it stuck in your head for days.
Finally, I would say that this film is, like all anime, best viewed in the Japanese, with subtitles. The dub is better than most, but quite a few things are altered (for example most of the final scene, which really is the bit that should have been left intact). I also found that the American accents of the actors helped to remind me that I was watching a film, as opposed to living it. Be warned though, if watching with younger children; the subtitles do include a b-word or two.
Although some people have complained about the violence and gore, I don't think this is justified. Ghibli don't just make films for little kids, and Miyazaki wouldn't have included meaningless violence, as it's just not his style. It serves to remind us of the constant conflict between man and nature, and how cruel humans can be, which is one of the hardest-hitting messages in the film.
Overall, this is a film that you can't really go wrong with, as it's enjoyable on every level. Apart from very small children, this is great for any age group, and every self-respecting film fan should have it on their shelf.
39 of 41 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Set in Muromachi Era Japan, near the end of the 1400s, this film depicts the painful transition from a medieval to a modern society, particularly focusing on humankind's changing relationship with nature. It follows the adventures of Ashitaka, a member of a hidden remnant of the extinct Emishi tribe of Honshuu, who is cursed by a tatarigami, a raging boar god who wants to take revenge on humans for the destruction of his forest.
Ashitaka's journey takes him through samurai wars and the mysterious virgin forest, which is still populated by nature gods in the form of giant animals and where he meets the elusive Mononoke Hime, to a mining village that is struggling against the revenge attacks of the gods. Ashitaka, who sympathises with both sides of the struggle between man and nature, must return to the forest to seek the shishigami nature god of life and death in order to lift the curse.
Miyazaki's masterpiece, possibly his greatest film, is highly recommended to all fans of anime. It is his most complete statement about his views on nature and man's impact on the environment. The animation is gorgeous, and nature is really lush and vivid. The music, written, as always in Miyazaki films, by Joe Hisaishi, is excellent and the sound effects are spot on. The action is just awesome, and there are lots of battles with gods and samurai which make this anime truly epic.
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I was expecting this animated cartoon to be like all the rest , frankly, pretty disapointing. I generaly like only live action films, but this is a MASTERPIECE! Its a huge shame that it can't be bought from amazon any more! (Actually, it now can, but you get the point!
Don't be put off by anything you hear. This is simply a good buy. Don't listen to anyone grumbling that this is "Cartoon; pretty rubbish". That's about what I thought, until I watched it. If you are still not sure, you should rent it.
If I could, then I would rate this 6 out of 5! Also, this fab film starts off well too, with an almost straightaway action sequesnce.
GO OUT AND BUY IT NOW - YOUR DVD RANGE WON'T BE COMPLETE WITHOUT IT!
Don't be put off by anything you hear. This is simply a good buy. Don't listen to anyone grumbling that this is "Cartoon; pretty rubbish". That's about what I thought, until I watched it. If you are still not sure, you should rent it.
If I could, then I would rate this 6 out of 5! Also, this fab film starts off well too, with an almost straightaway action sequesnce.
GO OUT AND BUY IT NOW - YOUR DVD RANGE WON'T BE COMPLETE WITHOUT IT!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Graphic Ghibli
One of the most successful Ghibli efforts at the box office and a film that is epic in it's scope, "Princess Mononoke" is the first film from this studio which I feel in... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Ian Thumwood
Fantastic Movie, truely a Animation masterpiece, but lush DVD case...
Haven't watched this movie since 2004 and wanted to re-visit this masterpiece. Great movie, great story, great set-pieces and amazing music make this one of Miyazaki's best! Read more
Published 1 month ago by Heinrich Mach
Purely Breathtaking
This film takes the best from all Studio Ghibli has to offer - incredible story telling, stunning animation/art and the most beautiful soundtrack a film has ever offered. Read more
Published 1 month ago by MetalRenard
breathless, extraordinary
I've seen both the English version, and the Japanese version (both included on this DVD - just select 'Setup' in the main menu to choose which audio version you want); it's hard to... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Tim.T
all time favourite animation
I've watch this years agoo...and didnt watch it for so long but still it's one of the very best japanese animation movies i've ever watch!
Published 4 months ago by Mook
a tad over-rated
i bought this DVD, as i am a Studio Ghibli fan and i had heard great things about this film. however i was slightly underwhelmed, possibly because i had high expectations, but i... Read more
Published 5 months ago by theladyluthien
This is great!!
Great film, beautiful animation and my daughter loved the eco message - the "demon" animation is scary and at this point I must admit that I got a bit confused - will just have to... Read more
Published 6 months ago by greenamber
Great for kids too.
This movie has been my 5 year old son's favourite for almost one year now, he keeps coming back to it much more than Monsters Inc and Nemo which are both great. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Andrew Callan
A modern classic
Princess Mononoke is my favourite of all the Studio Ghibli movies to do date. This is a more adult film than Miyazaki's other creations featuring beautiful animation, dramatic... Read more
Published 7 months ago by G. S. Haynes
movie magic
This was the first studio ghibli movie I saw (and still my favorite)and it litteraly blew me away. Since then I have required 9 ghibli films and the are more or less of extremely... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Ørjan Benjaminsen
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