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Spirited Away on DVD (2001)

Spirited Away cover art
Average rating: (80%)
111125715720
4.0
 
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Studio: OPTIMUM RELEASING
Run time: 124 mins
Certificate: PG
Collections: 100 Big Adventures
User collections: Top Banana | Films that make me think | The best of Studio Ghibli! | Top 15 Anime titles | My DVD Collection | Favourite Anime | My fave films | My favouritest films evereverever | 12 films I can watch anytime | Fantasy worthy of Mt. Helicon
Genres: Children | Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Languages: English
Released: 26/03/2004

Brief synopsis of Spirited Away

In the middle of her family's move to the suburbs, a sullen 10-year-old girl wanders into a world ruled by witches and monsters, where humans are changed into animals.

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Critics Reviews

Rating of 4 stars out of 5 Radio Times

Having broken box-office records and added an Oscar to its share of Berlin's Golden Bear, this animated fantasy adventure about a sulky girl who learns the importance of being true to one's self has become an instant Japanimation classic. It contains echoes of Alice in Wonderland that are reinforced by the gallery of rogues and grotesques that resourceful heroine Chihiro encounters after she's trapped inside a fantasy world ruled by twin witches. Director Hayao Miyazaki's insistence on hand-drawn graphics gives the CGI visuals an ethereal charm that ensures the story is always a pleasure to behold, even during its rare moments of inaction.

Daily Express

"...An amazing flight of fantasy - A film of beauty, wonder and enchantment..."

Maxim

"...Wildly imaginative masterpiece..."

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Members Reviews

Reviews Voted Most Helpful

Rated - 5 starsBeautifully Drawn Animation

Laurie from East Grinstead, England , 26/04/2004

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.

  74 out of 79 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 3 starsStrangely compelling

RIP from Manchester [Highly rated reviewer] , 09/04/2005

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.

  62 out of 70 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsA Magical Dark Fairytale for all ages

miriam from bucks , 24/02/2004

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.

  35 out of 41 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsIncredible stuff

A customer from London , 10/06/2004

Probably one of the best animated films I've ever seen, beautifully done, an amazing cast of characters, anyone who doesn't enjoy this film has no soul. Do another one soon!

  28 out of 34 people found this review helpful
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Most Recent Reviews

Rated - 5 starslove it

ikabod from Falmouth , 28/08/2008

my 3 year old cousin absolutely loves this film and so do I. its amazing, one of my all time faves. i would recommend it to anyone, whatever thier age (although it is a tiny bit scary)

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Rated - 5 starsspirited away

bistolover from St. Austell , 22/08/2008

bit odd for my liking yet amazed that ive actually found a film that my 6 year old girl and her 13 year old brother love to watch again and again!!

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