Amazon.com: The highest grossing film in Japanese box-office history (more than $234 million), Hayao Miyazaki's Spirited Away (Sen To Chihiro Kamikakushi) is a dazzling film that reasserts the power of drawn animation to create fantasy worlds. Like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz and Lewis Carroll's Alice, Chihiro (voice by Daveigh Chase--Lilo in Disney's Lilo & Stitch) plunges into an alternate reality. On the way to their new home, the petulant adolescent and her parents find what they think is a deserted amusement park. Her parents stuff themselves until they turn into pigs, and Chihiro discovers they're trapped in a resort for traditional Japanese gods and spirits. An oddly familiar boy named Haku (Jason Marsden) instructs Chihiro to request a job from Yubaba (Suzanne Pleshette), the greedy witch who rules the spa. As she works, Chihiro's untapped qualities keep her from being corrupted by the greed that pervades Yubaba's mini-empire. In a series of fantastic adventures, she purges a river god suffering from human pollution, rescues the mysterious No-Face, and befriends Yubaba's kindly twin, Zeniba (Pleshette again). The resolve, bravery, and love Chihiro discovers within herself enable her to aid Haku and save her parents. The result is a moving and magical journey, told with consummate skill by one of the masters of contemporary animation. MPAA Rated: PG ("Some scary moments") --Charles Solomon
Description: From one of the most celebrated filmmakers in the history of animated cinema comes the most acclaimed film of 2002. Hayao Miyazaki's latest triumph, filled with astonishing animation and epic adventure, is a dazzling masterpiece for the ages. It's a "wonderfully welcoming work of art that's as funny and entertaining as it is brilliant, beautiful, and deep" (Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal). SPIRITED AWAY is a wondrous fantasy about a young girl, Chihiro, trapped in a strange new world of spirits. When her parents undergo a mysterious transformation, she must call upon the courage she never knew she had to free herself and return her family to the outside world. An unforgettable story brimming with creativity, SPIRITED AWAY will take you on a journey beyond your imagination. "To enter the world of Hayao Miyazaki is to experience a kind of lighthearted enchantment that is unique to the world of animation" (Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times). It's a fantastic tale the whole family will want to experience over and over again.
God blessed the world with Miyazaki Another example of the brilliance that is Muyazaki. Whether listened to in the original Japanese or the English dub, a lovely, family centric film that teaches us all a positive message.
Very pretty to look at, but somewhat confusing I am not a fan of Japanese Anime. Though visually, they all look great and unique, the story plot is somewhat confusing for those not familiar with the genre. Spirited Away has it's great moments. The creatures are interesting and again, the visual effects are truly eye opening. However, at times, the movie just spirals into a completely different plot and you almost have to get your bearings about what is going on. It jumps and gets pretty weird at times. My husband, who is a fan, explained that alot of anime movies are shot like this. He actually told me that 'Crouching Dragon, Hidden Dragon' is basically a live-action Anime film. Like I said, it gets pretty odd at times and young kids may not understand alot of what is going on. It is better geared for the older crowd who can better appreciate the story.
I was definetly 'spirited away' Who knew that someone could tie together anime, fantasy, love, and tons of imagination into 125 minutes? Well it was very much possible. I give props out the Miyazaki-san, because this is one of his greatest achievements.
First. The characters are wonderfully depicted. The protagonist, Chihiro, has the greatest personality that a twelve year old (I think) could POSSIBLY have. Growing up, I'm guessing, she was probably either spoiled or ignored terribly. And when she's suddenly thrown into this world were she finds that she has to take care of herself, she shapes up. She steps-up to the challenge of surviving in a magical world when she, unconsciously, falls in love with the river spirit, Haku. And vise versa, Haku begins at the other end of the rope and has to learn how to be a child again. Having no memories of who he is or where he came from, Haku is just one emotional blank. And that is what draws Chihiro to him. From the moment they met in the spirit world, she realizes that Haku is always going to be there when she needs him, and all while Haku himself showed immediate concern for her safety and later on doesn't hesitate to help her once she becomes trapped there.
Second. The colors and animation blend together so beautifully it is shocking. The movement of the characters, the music and the scenery is depicted so well. If you read it as a book or a manga series, there would be no doubt in your mind that the way the story is portrayed and visualized, would be how you imagined it when you read it.
Third. The storyline is amazingly written very well for an animation based film. Love, regret, hopelessness, trust and friendships are just a few of the themes that underline this movie.
This is an excellent film, and I recommend it to people of all ages.
THE BEST!! Absolutely one of my daughters favorite movies! This is the second time I've purchased it - she lost the 1st one. Great movie.
Spirited Away... I love all of Miyazaki's movies, this one being my favorite. It's a very moving story, which takes some pointers from movies like Alice in Wonderland. This movie is good for kids, and adults alike.
Anything Goes Trivia
Trevor
Megaton Man
