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Princess Mononoke on DVD (1997)

Princess Mononoke cover art
Average rating: (75%)
121239820619
4.0
 
Starring: Gillian Anderson | Billy Crudup | Claire Danes | Corey Burton | Keith David | Minnie Driver
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Studio: OPTIMUM RELEASING
Run time: 130 mins
Certificate: PG
User collections: In my opinion the best films ever | Anime of Gid! | World Cinema | something diferent | Mixed Moods | Ten Ten out of Tens | essential anime movies | Films to see before you die | You Owe It To Yourself | Amazing Anime!
Genres: Animated | Children
Languages: English
Dubbed: Japanese
Hearing-impaired: English
Subtitles: English
Released: 22/10/2001

Brief synopsis of Princess Mononoke

A beautifully realized tale of civilization versus nature, PRINCESS MONONOKE is a true 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.

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Critics Reviews

Rating of 4 stars out of 5 Radio Times

The highest-grossing Japanese film of all time is a luxuriously animated legend of ancient gods going head to head with mankind and industry over the balance of nature. Released through Disney offshoot Miramax, the English-language version of this boldly surrealistic and starkly experimental cartoon is beautifully drawn, using the inspiration of classic Japanese artwork, and drums home a modern ecological message with a feminist bias. Set in the 14th century, it's a complicated tale of cursed Prince Ashitaka condemned to roam the land looking for a way to lift the malediction that has given him various supernatural gifts. After encountering bloodthirsty samurai, corrupt priests, friendly sprites and the evil Lady Eboshi who owns a giant iron foundry, he joins forces with San, the Wolf Princess, to ensure capitalistic progress will not be won at the expense of the woodland creatures. Director Hayao Miyazaki expertly weaves Asian folklore and contemporary issues with breathtaking designs and colour palettes. The realisation of the Deer God as a psychedelic Godzilla is a masterstroke.

Premiere

"...It's hard to deny the ambition of the storytelling, the ferocity of the action, or the sheer weirdness..." -- 4 out of 5 stars - Watch More Than Once

New York Times

"...A landmark feat of Japanese animation from the acknowledged master of the genre....This intricate, epic fable is amazing to behold..."

See all 6 Critics Reviews »

Members Reviews

Reviews Voted Most Helpful

Rated - 5 starsPRINCESS MONONOKE

Professor Cornelieus from London, England , 10/10/2003

If you have never come across the work of Hayao Miyazaki you are in for

a wonderful surprise. The Japanese anime director and writer has earned

global fame for his extraordinary work - the latest, 'Spirited Away' won

an oscar - and Princess Mononoke bears all the hallmark style of this

great creator.

It is a story of humans pitted against gods and spirits, set in a

lavish, beguiling landscape. Disney it isn't... Miyazake's work has a

luminous, transcendent quality with a consistent gift for the visually

memorable. There are moments in this film when you completely forget it

is animated, the visual quality is that good.

This production features some surprisingly heavyweight Hollywood stars

dubbing the English language version, but your attention will remain

firmly fixed on the haunting forest landscapes.

A must-see.

  31 out of 32 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsMust-See for Fans Of Spirited Away

Imran from London , 07/08/2004

After watching Spirited Away I hunted this film down and have to say I wasn't at all disappointed. Just like it's much lauded successor, Princess Mononoke has the wonderful animation and beautiful story. It's also suprisingly violent so parents be warned. If you've seen and liked Spirited Away you'll get more of the same with this film.

  19 out of 19 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 stars

trotsuk from LONDON , 23/09/2004

An absolute joy from start to finish. Its beauty will haunt you for days after. GO RENT NOW.

  11 out of 13 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsA Tonic for a CGI hangover.

Steve Buttercase from St Ives, Cambs, England , 26/01/2006

Marvellous. What animated films should be. I was completely enchanted by Miyazaki and all the contradicting traits of the main characters. In so many colourful animations the characters remain black and white but here they each possess subtle shades and hues that initially feel quite uncomfortable to someone raised on a diet of Western characterisations. That simply adds to the ultimate enjoyment of the experience - and it will probably turn up at your local cinema as a kids film on Saturday morning for a quid! We have so much to learn...

  10 out of 14 people found this review helpful
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