Ashitaka, a young prince becomes infected with a fatal disease and sets out to find a cure before it is too late. During his quest he becomes caught up in a battle between a mining... more
Princess Mononoke
A beautifully realized tale of civilization versus nature, PRINCESS MONONOKE is a true ... more
epic by Japan's master animator Hayao Miyazaki. While protecting his village from a rampaging boar-god, the warrior Ashitaka (Billy Crudup) is cursed with a rapidly spreading scar that threatens to end his life. Seeking a cure and a reason for the animal-god's attack, he journeys into the sacred depths of the Great Forest Spirit's realm. On the edge of this once serene forest, however, the Tatara clan have begun to destroy the surrounding land to produce iron. In retaliation, San (Claire Danes), the adopted daughter of the wolf-god Moro (Gillian Anderson), has begun raiding the Tatara fortress to stop their encroachment. Soon Ashitaka is caught in the middle and must stop the war between the humans and the forest dwellers before they destroy each other.Miyazaki, who was personally responsible for 80,000 of the film's 144,000 hand drawings, uses the story's lush feudal setting as a character unto itself, filling the screen with vast mountainous landscapes and gorgeous wooded glens that recall his early film, NAUSICAA OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND. The film also features battle sequences that are reminiscent of the stunning live action warfare in Akira Kurosawa's RAN. The startlingly fluid movements of these mythological characters are detailed far beyond any other hand-animated production, easily making this one of the most spectacular animated films ever made.
Princess Mononoke
Young warrior Ashitaka receives a wound that refuses to heal in a battle with a cursed ... more
beast. Searching for a remedy for the supernatural injury, he leaves his remote village for the forbidding forests of the west, where he finds a human enclave under siege from divine powers: deities of times past, the wolf gods, and San, a wild girl of the forest.Hayao Miyazaki's masterpiece depicts the clash between the natural world and its old gods, and the rise of humans and the beginnings of modern civilisation. It shows three elements of the Japanese psyche warring for supremacy in an epic ecological fable of stirring mythic power. The first of Miyazaki's films to gain mainstream attention in the West, Princess Mononoke features an English-language script by Neil Gaiman, author of Anansi Boys and American Gods, and vocal performances from Claire Danes, Minnie Driver, Billy Crudup and Gillian Anderson.
A review by avar on Princess Mononoke (Animated) (Collector's Edition) (DVD) August 10th, 2006
Author's product rating:
Did you enjoy it?
Loved it
Story
Outstanding
Characters / Performances
Good
Special Effects
Good
How does it compare to similar films?
Not applicable
Advantages:
Great film for all
Disadvantages:
none
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
Well firstly this film is the work of studio Ghibli who happen to be one of Japans largest anime houses, and secondly this film has grossed something near to $150 million at the box office putting this film as one the highest revenue creating Japanesse films ever.
Review;- The story follows a young man who has been injured by a demon boar when protecting his home from an attack. He then has to leave severing his ties with his home, to find a cure for his sickness. This story follows his travels finding the cure and why the demon attacked in this first place. Soon he realises that it's man causing the problems with their thirst for iron and lack of care for the environment and that the great wolf demon (lord) and his human cub (Princess Mononoke) are only trying to prevent the destruction created by man. As an impartial veiwer our hero is there as everything comes to a climax, who does he side with and what difference can only he be?
This anime would suit most ages, with the story carried through at so many levels its a joy to watch over and over. Ghibli have worked their magic again, creating one of the finest examples of old style anime.
The animation is near perfect, fast and graphic in places yet slow where it needs it, the dubbed version is considered by Anime Otaku' (anime anoraks) to be one of the best about, with Gillian Anderson and Billy Bob Thornton providing voices. This is a classic and would be well placed on any dvd shelf.
Regarding DVD extras, there are a number of different versions about, the version i had, had very little added extras, however i will point out that i'm not one for DVD extras so i can't offer much info for this sorry.
Another one for the collection of all Manga fans. For those of you who aren't familiar with Studio Ghibli then prepare to be amazed. Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away) has a wonderful ability to create stories, characters and settings that appeal to both children and adults alike. This is the story of spirits of the earth and forest battling against the destructive forces of men. As men encroach and hunt more upon the forests, the spirits rise up against ... ...infected by the poisionous wrath of a demonic boar spirit. Ashitaka sets out to find out what is upsetting the forest spirits and cure himself before he dies. The story itself is visually beautiful and totally absorbing. Lots of interviews with Hayao Miyazaki and the designers re the production of the film - great for fans. ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
Ashitaka, a young prince becomes infected with a fatal disease and sets out to find a cure before it is too late. During his quest he becomes caught up in a battle between a mining town that is stripping the forest and the animals that live there. Leading the animals into battle is Princess Mononoke...
Release details
DVD Region: DVD
Studio(s): Buena Vista Home Entertainment; Technicolor Distribution Services
Release date: 22/10/2001
No of Discs: 1
Catalogue No: D 888384
Barcode: 5017188883849
Technical information
Animated: Animated
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Listed on Ciao since : 22/11/2005
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