Spirited Away Reviews

Beautifully Drawn Animation

The single most impressive thing about this Japanese animation is that it is a wonderful hand drawn work of art. You have to go right back to the Disney animations of the 1940's and 50's to see anything this well crafted. And unlike American animations, the characters feel real and the Japanese work ethic shines all the way through. Whether young children will enjoy it as much as the Hollywood movies, I doubt. But as an adult, I adored it.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Strangely compelling

This animation is far East Asian, culturally , the story held my interest and kept drawing me back to find out what would happen.

Enjoyable and different.

A Magical Dark Fairytale for all ages

It is rare to come across a film that is entirely unique, charming and unpredictable, yet every film by Miyamoto fits that description, and Spirited Away is probably his most accomplished film to date. Become immersed in the dark spirit-world he has created, with its wonderful characters and scenery. Beautifully animated, with rich soundtrack, it’s a work of art. The dubbed version feels natural, unlike many anime films, and the Disney budget really shows in the quality.

Miyamoto says there is no such thing as a hero, just an ordinary person who is able to survive extraordinary challenges without giving up. Here he shows the story of a little girl moving to a new home. On the way her parents take a wrong turn and decide to explore the place they find. They discover tempting food, and her parents help themselves, though Chihiro doesn't feel comfortable. Her instinct is proved right when the food turns out to be an offering for the spirits, and her parents become trapped in the spirit world. The story unfolds as Chihiro learns to adapt to the spirit world, surviving the adversity with the aim of rescuing her parents.

I can't recommend this film enough. I'd give it six stars if I could. Suitable for children who don't mind a few scary/ghostly characters, and enough to stretch the most demanding adult viewer, this is a film that all the family can enjoy.

I love this film. Everyone I have shown it to has loved it too.

Gorgeous and entrancing enough to distract you from weak plot

It has to be said that the story leaves a lot to be desired. There is a simple overall goal which leads the main character into a number of encounters and perilous situations.

However many plot points are created and then abandoned or not resolved, leaving the plot a rather baffling schmorgasbord of elements. One mysterious character, about whom one would wish to know more, is as mysterious at the film's end as when we first meet him. Or her. Or it.

Its surreal setting and strange characters recall Alice In Wonderland and, less so, Yellow Submarine.

But forget the plot. The visuals are incredibly beautiful and it is absolutely worth renting purely to experience them. They are served well, also, by some marvellous sound effects which give the peculiarly dreamlike atmosphere a reassuring solidity.

Rent it and swoon at the scenery.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Dark, Disturbing, Magical, Compelling, Immersive, Grotesque Fantasy

I don’t understand the Japanese obsession with the sexualisation of pre-pubescent girls(Chihiro in this case) or perhaps the European hang up about it.

Yes as animé it is very good.

It has a pleasant story – it has some surreal depth and darkness.

If you are an arty type and can rise above the peado stain in the movie it is an enchanting tale. The ‘set’ detail is quite extraordinary – the environmentals would stimulate any writer. The navigation between this world and the sprit world is excellent, the characterisation is fantastic, the attention to detail so precise, quite mind boggling. The fluidity of the sprit world to the human one is well implemented – though it has something of ‘Silent Hill’ about it. There are some strange bits about why sprits need to wash their dirty(sins) away in a bath house are the delights of heaven over eating in a banquet, do you still crave gold in heaven/the after life?

So yes it is a good movie, good story, compelling detailed art work and immersive.

Young kids would not notice some uncomfortable bits – Some adults might feel they are sailing too close to a less than legal movie style, in maybe the way a straight guy might feel in watching gay porn.

I will choose to hold into mind the environmentals, the characters - such diversity in the sprit world –all things in nature have their own sprit, each one of these has needs, just that pallet is colourful.

It is a movie that a creative child would benefit in watching or a writer - all kids would find it enjoyable.

I watched this movie days ago and there are vivid chunks that I can recall to mind like home movie clips.

The movie upscales very well to 1080p and have an excellent and detailed sound stage.