Princess Mononoke

Set in medieval Japan, Miyazaki's original story envisions a struggle between nature and man. The march of technology, embodied in the dark iron forges of the ambitious Tatara clan, threatens the natural forces explicit in the benevolent Great God of the Forest and the wide-eyed, spectral spirits he protects. When Ashitaka, a young warrior from a remote, and endangered, village clan, kills a ravenous, boar-like monster, he discovers the beast is in fact an infectious "demon god," transformed by human anger. Ashitaka's quest to solve the beast's fatal curse brings him into the midst of human political intrigues as well as the more crucial battle between man and nature.

Miyazaki's convoluted fable is clearly not the stuff of kiddie matinees, nor is the often graphic violence depicted during the battles that ensue. If some younger viewers (or less attentive older ones) will wish for a diagram to sort out the players, Miyazaki's atmospheric world and its lush visual design are reasons enough to watch. For the English-language version, Miramax assembled an impressive vocal cast including Gillian Anderson, Billy Crudup (as Ashitaka), Claire Danes (as San), Minnie Driver (as Lady Eboshi), Billy Bob Thornton, and Jada Pinkett Smith. They bring added nuance to a very different kind of magic kingdom. Recommended for ages 12 and older. --Sam Sutherland

Product Description
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, NAUSICA 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.

The video and audio quality is the sort that you would use to show off your new home theater system. In fact, I found the Japanese soundtrack to be richer and better dynamically balanced than the English track (!). Disney/Miramax really took advantage of the format by including BOTH the Japanese and English opening titles and credits -- they are automatically selected depending on your choice of language via an angle switch. Transparent and ingenious. There are two sets of subtitles -- one for the English track, and the other is the literal translation of the Japanese (since some liberties were taken in creating the English script).

Disney was originally going to release "Mononoke Hime" without the original language track, which created an outrage among anime fans (who, myself included, signed a massive internet petition which eventually turned the tide). I applaud this decision, as well as the splendid attention to detail. It has made this incredible movie an even better value.


A slice of beautiful complexity   October 20, 2003
Miguel B. Llora (Bay Point, California USA)
96 out of 107 found this review helpful

It is difficult to be profound about a movie that has been written about so much. Much of which has been written is rather obvious. Hayao Miyazaki's Princess Mononoke, although it is an adult oriented film in terms of complexity, it has something for everyone. Princess Mononoke is appealing on many levels because much like other anime features like Armitage III, Ghost in the Shell, and Akira, Princess Mononoke also confronts the issue of technology head on. However, what is unique here is that Miyazaki problematizes the duality of man vs. nature really expanding the problem to man within nature and calling for a sense of co-operation. Again, While other movies like Armitage III, Ghost in the Shell, and Akira are a shade darker than most, Mononoke is laced with hope and reconstruction.

Based on our epistemological framework we are looking for good vs. evil. We are always trying to set things up in a space of binary oppositions. Most viewers are looking to make things "simple." Juxtaposed against our longing for the simplistic, Miyazaki doesn't make judgements about good or evil. Miyazkai simply asks many questions. It is really unfair to make any direct comparison but the reason this genre is appealing to a wider audience is that this genre and the movies that are produced within it are more "realistic" than the more common Disney animations offerings.

Another sub-theme is the healing power of nature which is superior to the human need to conquer and control. Susan Napier writes: "At a more complex level, films such as Princess Mononoke actually works to resist and even confront certain public stereotypes, inspiring huge numbers of moviegoers to look at some of the myths of modern Japan in a more critical way." The movie zeroes in on ecological issues, a far cry from the stereotypes we have of Japan as a giant impersonal machine. Along this same lines, the big four (listed previously) warn us just as much about the march of modernity and technology. In Princess Mononoke, it seems like Miyazaki is setting up a battle between man and nature. My sense is that it is man in nature.

No doubt, this is a complex movie. The interplay between Asitaka, Mononoke and Lady Eboshi is not a simple one. Within the confines of the story, no one character is all bad or all good. All the characters are multi-dimensional and not one character is a caricature. A pivotal character is Lady Eboshi. Lady Eboshi's involvement with Iron Town is not be dismissed as trivial. How is the viewer going to reconcile Lady Eboshi's agenda and altruism? The beauty and wonder of Princess Mononoke is not so much that it provides answers but that it poses deep questions. For this reason alone (and there are many) Princess Mononoke can be classified as a work of art and it will survive the ravages of time.

Miguel Llora


Beautiful animation, you can't go wrong with this one.   March 6, 2000
70 out of 78 found this review helpful

This Miyazaki movie is for keeps! This is one of the few anime films from the many I have seen, that I will give a full 5 stars. You must give yourself a chance to see this movie at least once. I will definitely buy this DVD when it comes out. Plot is set in ancient mythological Japan where humans clash with humans and damages the environment. Great story, beautiful animation, very strong character development. Lots of action. You will see that a lot of work went into this film. Too bad, I can't recommend this for kids for all ages, maybe around 15 yrs up, but you parents will be the final judge. No nudity, but there are quite a few blood and violent scenes (such as beheading). Don't get me wrong, the story does not really focus on the violence. Watch it and you will know what I mean.

I sure hope the other Miyazaki Anime will be released on DVD soon! (Kiki's Delivery Service, My Neighbor Totoro, Nausicaa, etc...)


Nihongo mo hitsuyou dato omoundakedo....   March 30, 2000
Robert (Yokosuka, Japan)
40 out of 44 found this review helpful

My wife and I have seen this movie in the original Japanese format and can't hlep but watch it over and over again. Everything about this film is wonderful. The story is exciting and relevant. The characters are dynamic and personable. The soundtrack is moving and inspiring. The artwork is second to none, using incredible techniques and more colors than any other animated film ever made. I couldn't believe it though when the DVD release annouced only an English dubbed version. Even if you don't speak the language, the film is beautifully crafted and easy enough to follow. The Japanese-English translation was probably labored over for years, since it was originally released in Japan in 1997, but there is invariably something lost in the translation. If you want to get the true experience from this wonderful film, you have to hear it in its original Japanese form. You can't help but be moved by the dialogue. The themes on man vs nature, man vs man and man vs self are self-evident. I only hope that Disney will rethink its release and include the original Japanese version with the English version as well.


THE BEST MOVIE EVER MADE   February 7, 2000
34 out of 37 found this review helpful

You just HAVE to vote for this DVD to be produced. If you haven't seen this movie yet in the theatres yet, you must, because it is the most beautiful, thought provoking movie ever made. It is so amazning, that words can't even describe it. PLEASE, PLEASE, vote for this video and see for yourself. You will be amazed. If you have seen the movie at the theatre and want it to come to the US, make sure and submit your e-mail address(es). Even submit your friend's email! (with their permission.) If you REALLY want this DVD to be made, write a review here to get other people to submit their emails! ^_~