Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
More than just a brilliant animated feature..., 14 Dec 2006
This review is from: Spirited Away [DVD] (DVD)
Occasionally, just occasionally, a film becomes a culture in its own right, and everything it is related to falls away around it to leave it standing on its own. Spirited Away is such a film. It has taken over box office records in Japan, and not done too badly in the western hemisphere, widely being cited as one of, or even the, best animated film ever produced.
But Miyazaki's epic is not just a brilliant animated film. It is a brilliant film. All too often, animated features are great because of the animation, that is the technical dazzle and sheer fantasy nature that the animated medium allows for. And that's great. Spirited Away, however, goes further. The themes it touches on - greed, emotional attachment and the imperfection complex that blights every human being; as well as presenting the importance of traditional values - can be found nestled in the scripts of the deepest live action films.
We quickly become immunised to the sheer weirdness of the world presented to us in this film, and that helps us identify with the characters that we might otherwise struggle with.
The plot is summarised well above, but to give a brief outline (which falls massively short of doing the film's complexity justice); I don't want to ruin the sheer surprise of the exotic, and downright bizarre nature of the spirit world; suffice to say it'll leave you dumbstruck and inspired by the attention to detail that has gone into it. Essentially, the film follows Chihiro, a ten year old girl, who, along with her parents, is transported magically into a world of spirits and sorcery. When her parents are turned into pigs by a cruel spell, she must battle her way through the politics and intrigue of the society she has been stranded in. Helping and hindering her along the way are the friendly but icy spirit Haku, and the greedy sorceress Yubaba. Chihiro must find her way out of the spirit world alive, and with her parents restored to human form. Confused? You will be, so the trick is to let go for two hours and allow yourself to become immersed in the fantasy of this spirit world.
You come away from this film feeling like you've learnt something, feeling like you've had a good time, and absolutely certain that you're going to watch it again. This is the hallmark of a good film - shelf life - and in this respect Spirited Away is timeless. Like all truly brilliant motion pictures (e.g. Where Eagles Dare, The Sting, Crouching Tiger: Hidden Dragon), you come away with a substantial number of questions, and a need to have a repeat viewing to start to answer some of them.
Purists will prefer the original Japanese version, but the dubbed English version has made the film accessible to many more; and, as it's an animated film, the dubbing is considerably less obvious than with live action films. As an animator, I have found a repetitive draw to this film for inspiration and ideas; but as a regular movie-goer, I simply find it a truly excellent, must-see flick.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
 
|
|
|
|
|
|
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"What happened to my spell? Only love can break it", 6 Nov 2007
There are many outstanding aspects about this film that contribute to place it among the best anime productions I have seen in my life. It all starts with the animation, since the attention to detail in Miyazaki's work is seldom experienced. I could not help gasping when in one of the scenes I saw the perfect reflection of Chihiro on the window of a train in which she was traveling. These are the kind of details that give the production a realism that is really hard to find. The second crucial element is the story itself, which is proof of a prodigious imagination, and which without a doubt can be experienced several times without generating boredom in the spectator. Finally, and maybe this is the most striking aspect of all, this is a movie that can be appreciated by audiences of all ages, because there is something to take away for everyone. I can only imagine how interesting it will be for my daughter to watch this film as a kid, teenager and adult, since there are things to discover at each level of maturity.
Chihiro, the main protagonist of the story, is a ten-year-old girl who is moving with her parents to a new city. She is the typical kid nearing adolescence, and therefore, is unhappy with the world, her parents in particular, and shows no interest in anything. When looking for their new house, a wrong turn leads them to a mysterious place that looks like an abandoned theme park, but when night falls quicker than expected, Chihiro finds herself all alone in a world full of spirits. There are no words to describe the astounding magical world in which she is immersed, and the transformation the character undergoes is as mesmerizing as it is revealing.
When a few years ago I watched "Princess Mononoke" I thought I had experienced Miyazaki at the top of his game, but this film gives it a run for its money. Bottom line is that both works should be required watching for every fan of the genre. People that are looking for an introduction to anime can find no better place to start than with "Spirited Away". The only drawback is that it will create a tough benchmark for future experiences to match.
In terms of the Extras, the disc that has the film, also has a piece on the Art of Spirited Away, where Miyazaki shares some of the "secrets" behind his inspiration and peers and coworkers talk about the wonderful qualities of this magnificent director. In most cases I would say that the praise was scripted and disregard it as such, but in this case it really rings true, and it is entertaining and insightful to watch. This segment also includes commentary on the challenges faced with the translation, and on the steps that were put in place to conserve the original intent of the film. This is extremely important, especially in the anime / manga genre, where sadly, lousy translations that mangle the product are not uncommon.
The Extras in the additional disc were not really worth watching, and I felt like they were there just as a way to make this a two-disc edition. Nevertheless, the rest of the product is so outstanding that I could not bring myself to lower my rating.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another Classic, 7 Dec 2003
Miyazaki is not well known outside anime fans in the UK, even though the feature Castle in the Sky (originaly titled Laputa) was shown over Christmas periods a few times, but he deserves to be. His works are what Disney strives to be but fails each time. Miyazaki pulls out fantastical masterpieces that dirve the imagination to new levels and they are enjoyable for all audiences no matter their age.Hiragi and her family are moving to a new home and after taking a wrong turn, the wind up exploring an abandoned amusement park. Hiragi's parents happen upon a vast display of food and start stuffing themselves, Hiragi continues her exploration of the area and is warned to leave before night falls, returning to her parents, she discovers that they have turned into pigs and night is falling. Without understanding why, she is thrown into another world, one inahbited by spirits, witches, demons and monsters and only in this world can she possibly find hope in bringing her parents back to their original state. The animation is top notch and the storytelling is on par for Miyazaki (perfection, as always) and this is a movie that is worth beinf seen by all. Easily 5 stars and would grant more if I could.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
![Spirited Away [DVD]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ge8Uwv87L._SL500_SS75_.jpg)
![My Neighbour Totoro [DVD]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51K52EFQT2L._SL75_SS50_.jpg)
![Ponyo [DVD] [2008]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51yf2yfCQSL._SL75_SS50_.jpg)
![Howl's Moving Castle [DVD] [2005]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51yghjrHkXL._SL75_SS50_.jpg)
![Howl's Moving Castle [DVD] [2005]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51yghjrHkXL._SL500_SS90_.jpg)
DVD ~ Chieko Baishô
![Princess Mononoke (Special Edition) [DVD]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51YHZKTBBDL._SL500_SS90_.jpg)
DVD ~ Hayou Miyazaki
![My Neighbour Totoro [DVD]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51K52EFQT2L._SL500_SS90_.jpg)
DVD ~ Hayao Miyazaki
![Kiki's Delivery Service [DVD]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51A7EE04BYL._SL500_SS90_.jpg)
DVD ~ Hayao Miyazaki
![Laputa - Castle In The Sky [DVD]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/515RN1TYAYL._SL500_SS90_.jpg)
DVD ~ Hayao Miyazaki
