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| Princess Mononoke, 1997 |
This $20 million animated adventure/fantasy quickly became the highest grossing Japanese film in Japanese film history (making $150 million in Japan during its first seven months). Set in the 14th century, the ecology-themed epic was directed by Hayao Miyazaki whose previous films were acquired by Disney for U.S. distribution plus other territories. Princess Mononoke depicts a mystical battle between Animal Gods of the forest and humans during Japan's Muromachi Period. Young Ashitaka receives a fatal infection after a demonic wild boar attacks his northern village. Seeking a cure, he sets out to locate the deer-like god Shishigami. Along the way, he sees the rape of the Earth by a mining village. The constant plundering by the village has brought the wrath of the Wolf God, Moro, who attacks the village along with San, a human who was raised by the wolf god. She communicates with the nature spirits -- which is why she is called Princess Mononoke ("spirits of things"). Ashitaka wants these opposing forces to co-exist, and he hopes to bring peace between San and the ironworks owner, Lady Eboshi. However, he is thwarted as higher powers, intent on killing the Shishigama, intrude, and a battle erupts over the future of all nature.Studio Ghibli introduces us the new kind of animation that has some seriousness into it. Princess Mononoke is an epic film that deals with war and conflict between nature and humans and because it deals with big themes it might lack some human love and affection.
I've enjoyed the film but I thought it took so much time for an animated film. It is long. The movie is so creative and imaginative. This is the movies strong side. Some of the effects animation is stunning.
What I didn't find satisfying was the ending. It ended somewhat warm. It did not have a strong ending or a satisfying one. It is an epic film but I doubt I’ll watch it again at my own will.
Inside Outside Rating: 70%
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