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Spirited Away Actor: Miyu Irino Director: Hayao Miyazaki Number of Items: 2 Picture Format: Anamorphic Widescreen Format: Animated, Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen, Dolby Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) Running Time: 132 minutes Studio: Walt Disney Home Video Region Code: 1 Product Group: DVD Release Date: 2003-04-15 Buy from Amazon |
 "Breathtaking"This has got to be one of the best films EVER MADE!!! It is an inspiring story filled with adventure and danger around every corner. It's so amazing how much Chihiro (the main character) changes throughout the story. It is an awesome film and I highly reccomend it. "Imaginative and mind-blowing!""Spirited Away" was one of the most refreshing movies I've seen in ages. Though I'm not a big fan of the 'anime' genre, I was still able to enjoy this movie immensely--the characters are great, the animation is breathtaking, and most importantly, the storyline is one of the most unique I've ever encountered. It's nice to see such a remarkable Eastern influence on a film that has found its way into Western culture, and I suspect this has to do with the inventiveness of the creators in its execution. I recommend this film to anyone looking for something that goes beyond the standard, predictable plot lines we've become accustomed to in the West. "Spirited Away"Not only is this a great movie, but everyone I've shown this film to has liked it enough to buy it for themselves. Very popular with the teen anime crowd, although kids like it too. Although there are some rather disturbing things in this film, I think all anime viewers should see this film. This is perfect for AMVs. "Not just great animation-A great film, period."Like many others, I first encountered "Spirited Away" when it took the Best Animated Picture Oscar, and was theatrically re-released. I originally went with some trepidation, because while I'm a huge animation buff, I've never cared much for anime. I went to see Akira in the middle of its hype, and walked out shaking my head, muttering "All style, no substance. Depth of a puddle." I've since had others tell me Akira was overrated. I'm inclined to believe them. Anyhow, Spirited Away changed my mind forever. Saw it twice in the theater, and bought the DVD the minute it ame out. What a gorgeous film. Distrubing images? Certainly. Like ANY good fairy tale. Snow White, Pinocchio, Alice In Wonderland, Oz-these all contain bits of nightmare. But it's "Good Scary" as opposed to mindless fright. Is the movie confusing? Only if you need to have plot lines and characters telegraphed to you. If you don't like to think about a movie, by all means, run screaming from Spirited Away. But if you enjoy immersing yourself in a fully formed alternate reality, this is your flick. And what a wonderful message. Chihiro only begins to triumph when she sets herself aside, and sacrifices for the sake of others. Some of the imagery of her sacrifice (Haku's purging of the blackness inside) is spirituality of a high order. I can understand why serious anime fans might be able to nitpick this movie. It's the same with anyone who's deeply into a subject matter. But, if you're a film fan, especially one new to anime, this is a masterwork, pure and simple. Arguably one of the finest films ever made, any genre, any era. "A Spirited Review"Wow...just wow... Since it won the best animated feature at the 2002 Academy Awards, I have wanted to see it. And I must repeat: Wow...just wow... Never before have I been affected by a movie like this. This is one that will stick with you days on end, long after you're done and returned it to the video store. It will have you lying awake in dreamless nights, thinking...thinking about everything...pollution...relationships...your family... Spirited Away grabs you right from the beginning: You see Chihiro, an annoying ten-year-old girl whining about having to leave her old house behind and transfer to a new school. Her parents, however, feel the exact opposite. In fact, the thought of starting a new life excites an adventuresome spirit in them. Chihiro's dad, therefore, decides to take an old, dusty road, hoping it will eventually lead to their new house. From this point on, it gets truly amazing. The moment the lights go down on the old abandoned amusement park, Miyazaki's art and storytelling advance to a whole new level. One instant that really stands out in my mind is when Chihiro discovers her parents have transformed into pigs. The look, the expression, the lighting, the mood, the scenery sincerely brought an extreme emotion to the viewer-- I felt as disgusted and afraid as Chihiro did. As the narrative continues, I was entirely absorbed in the wonderful cast; I can't choose a favorite! There was the mysterious Haku, the eccentric Lin, the treacherous Yubaba-- all made me want to squeal "Oh! How delightful!" And everything I thought was wonderful before builds up the the astonishingly poignant ending. This is the tale of one girl's journey to maturity. Spirited Away is a masterpiece-- and that's an understatement. Fifteen Thousand stars out of ten |
