Spirited Away Reviews

• Tips For Non-Japanese Speaking Fans: This Is a Masterpiece

  
  By ABO2ZI2Y5DQ9T on 2002-09-17
  Released on July 20th, in 2001 in Japan, "Spirited Away" stayed in theaters for almost 10 months, breaking all the previous box-office records in Japan, including that of "Titanic" and "Princess Mononoke" by the same director Hayao Miyazaki. With this astonishing film about a girl's spiritual journey, Mr. Miyazaki again showed that he is one of the best directors living in the world. This animation film was also awarded prestageous Golden Bear Prize in Berlin Film Festival, and that is not a surprise at all, after you see this movie.
  
  The film's story traces a girl's strange and fascinating life in another world, where her parents are accidentally and magically transformed, and she has to survice herself and return to her own world. To do so, this pudgy-faced little girl Chihiro, now deprived of her name by a greedy witch Yu-baba, has to work at the baths where gods and sprites all over Japan come to take a rest. Chihiro's life is full of wonderful (and often hard, even terrifying) things, and through her experiences she learns how to live, gaining the true will and power, changing from a sulky girl languidly lying on the backseat of a car, into a lively and truely courageous girl.
  
  That's all you have to know: you don't need to see its trailer (English version trailer is a bit misleading), and just watch this masterpiece. Though there is a character called "Kao-nashi" (meaning "Faceless"), who out of loneliness does something harmful to the place; and there is an episode about a very stinking monster who turns out something very different, there are no villains, no heroes, and no so-called actions. And another strength of the film comes from its designs of the baths. It is based on a mosaic of Japanese and Western traditions (the witch's office looks obviously Western while Chihiro and other female workers room is inspired from the texitle factory girls' residence 100 years ago) Incredibly, some part are even from Chinese style.
  
  The story, some say probably rightly, goes slower in the latter half (of the film that runs more than 2 hours), but "Spirited Away" never lets you down. It's time for any American audience to know Miyazaki's name, and that animation films are not meant for only kids, but for adults.
  
  [The following might hopefully help understand some part of the film. No spoilers contained, but you might read them after watching them. Al the names referred to are from Japanese original print.]
  
  [1] The name "Chihiro" is, when written in Chinese letters, divided into two parts: "Chi-hiro." The first part "Chi" has another way of pronounciation, "Sen," which becomes her temporary name.
  [2] Chihiro's real name is "Chihiro Ogino" which is briefly seen on the contract paper she signs.
  [3] The handsome boy who offers a help to Chihio is called "Haku" which means in Japanese, "white."
  [4] Haku's real name is "Migihayami Kohakusui." All the Japanese audience, as Chihiro in fact was, would be surprised to hear this long and old-fashioned name, which clearly suggests his ancient and aristocratic origin. (CORRECTION added on 1/1/2007) I came upon recently Sonomi's review pointing out the mistake I made here; Haku's name is really "Nigihayami Kohakunushi." I apologize for the mistake.
  [5] The witch's spoiled baby is called "Bou" (and his name is written prominently in a Chinese letter on his clothes). This is shrewd naming because the word "bou-ya" (which is used to call, affectinately, to baby boys) implies too much fondness to the babies on mother's side.
  [6] Chihiro's father, at the diapidated red gate, talks knowingly about the posibility of a disused theme park. It is true that Japan saw economic depression after the boom of the 80s, and his remarks, though half telling of his too much confidence, have some ring of truth.
  [7] For Miyazaki's fans, there are some extra fun: see, for example, the re-appearance of "Susuwatari"s, tiny black speck-like creatures that carry coal in a boiler room. As fans know, they are also seen in Miyazaki's delightful film "My Neighbor Totoro." And check out one of the "guests" at the spa who looks and moves exactly like Totoro.
  [8] And those harmless "Susuwatri"s eat Japanese traditional, very sweet confectionary called "Konpeitou" made from sugar. This is the part Japanese viewers smile because of the unexpected combination.
  [9] In the same boiler room, the spider-like veteran master gives Chihiro "Kaisuu-ken," coupon-style tickets for train. This is also the part we would smile because we all somehow share the same experience of giving them to children who go somewhere by train or bus, or of finding very old ones somewhere in the desk.
  [10] That same kind master, seeing Chihiro step on the crawling worm, makes a gesture of a knife with his hand, and touches Chihiro's hands in a unique way. This is a (now out-of-fashion) custom when touching something very dirty, symbolizing the total safety from the object in case, often accompanied with Japanese word "Engacho" (no more connection). This part is also funny to us.
  [11] In the opening scene. behind the back of Chihiro, you can see the glimpse of half-hidden, red-colored package of chocolate bar, which looks like one famous brand. Probably, this is a small token of thanks for the company (famous for coffee, too), which joined in the tie-in campagin for the film's promotion in Japan.
  [12] Finally, director Miyazaki says that the film is originally made for unnamed 10-year-old girls he and the movieproducer are both acquainted with, and hope that those girls are delighted to see the film. No doubt they are.
  
  

• An outstanding breath of fresh air

  
  By AI1XT1ESQWSQW on 2003-03-15
  Spirited Away is yet another masterpiece from Japan's undisputed master of animation. Although I did not enjoy it as much as Princess Mononoke, I was more entertained by this film than by any Disney movie made in the past five years. Speaking of Disney, I thought I would clear up a few misconceptions that some people have concerning this film. Firstly, for those people who complain that Miyazaki's films (as well as other anime) are for adults, and not children, I should point out that Miyazaki has explicitly stated that Spirited was made for young girls. (in other words, Chihiro's age) This doesn't mean that the film can only be enjoyed by pre-pubescant girls (I myself am a 22 year old male); it just means that you should not go into this film expecting something geared towards adults, the way Mononoke was.
  Now I have noticed several people on this site comparing Spirited to Disney. Everyone seems to agree that it is nothing like Disney, because it is scary. Some parents even go so far to say that Spirited is inappropriate for children. Let me just say that you are all both right and wrong on this issue. Spirited Away is nothing like Disney as it is NOW. However, if you look at classics like Snow White, and especially Pinocchio, you'll see that these films have much more in common with Spirited Away than with, say, Hercules, or Tarzan. As far as I'm concerned, anyone who claims that Spirited is too scary for children ought to remember what Disney used to be like. In Snow White, the wicked Queen ordered the huntsman to cut out Snow White's heart. Even more telling, in Pinocchio, the main character ends up on an island for wicked children, who are mercilessly transformed into beasts and sold into slavery. Can you honestly say that this is somehow more wholesome or less nightmarish than what goes on in Spirited? Anyone who remembers these films recognizes that Spirited Away's often nightmarish sense of morality and justice (parents being turned into pigs for their greed) is not novel to the American imagination, but something old, something many of us have clearly forgotten, even though we saw these very films as children! This harkens back to a time when Americans had a much clearer sense of morality, a much greater willingness to recognize an absolute line between right and wrong. For me, this is refreshing, for you it may not be. As for your children being scared, I agree it is a possibility. I was scared when I saw Snow White and Pinocchio, yet I enjoyed those two films immensely. Moreover, they are both considered to be undisputed classics of American animation. So to all those parents who think they can comfortably dismiss Spirited Away as some alien abomination, you had better look closer to home, because it may not be quite as alien as you thought.
  
  

• Disney stomped on this one...

  
  By A1B38S1YJR1PQD on 2002-11-03
  (*****) Theoretically... But this is the Disney-ized USA release of the original Japanese version. For comparison I have viewed a probably gray-market DVD of the original Japanese version with English subtitles.
  
  Every time I watch the original, it transports me to a refreshingly different, non-Western, faraway mind-state; quite unexpected at first, but eerily enjoyable. The artwork is lush and layered with detail that emerges only with repeated viewings.
  
  BUT... After a second viewing of the US theatrical release, I found myself increasingly disliking Disney's treatment. Chihiro's blossoming strength and courage (the whole point of the movie!) becomes inexplicable, for Disney has her now constantly mooning over Haku, and being mother-henned by Lin.
  
  Entire plot elements and dialog are unnecessarily messed with, and cheap shots, insults and inappropriate humor are added. Disney is determined that Chihiro/Sen stay a dependent kid in the Bathhouse, rather than become a peer to her coworkers, and who can hold her own in a strange world.
  
  As for Disney's releasing it as "Miyazaki's Spirited Away", are Uncle Walt's kids humbly proclaiming the opportunity to present a work by animation's true Grand Master, or are they hastily disclaiming responsibility for such an alien, un-Disney oddity? Perhaps with Studio Ghibli breaking away (as of 2005) from Tokuma Shoten, future foreign releases of Miyazaki's works will get gentler, more respectful treatment.
  
  I'd encourage viewers to stick to the Japanese track on this DVD, with directly translated subtitles, and compare for themselves. They just aren't the same story.
  
  

• A Lesson For Disney

  
  By A9Z4C6SSRUL0E on 2003-03-14
  While Major Hollywood studios believe the audiences are tired of watching plain hand-drawn cartoons and began to incorporate more special effects into 2-D animation, yet with disappointing results (Titan A.E., Atlantis, and the most recent Treasure Planet), they have almost totally given up on traditional animation, and focus on producing 3-D computer animation. After a series of successful and charming CG cartoon, one could not help but to wonder: is this the end of hand-drawn cartoon artists? (some may argue that they could get the job as storyboard artists)

  The point that they are really missing is, what is missing from the recent 2-D animation features, is not the blasting visual effects, or floor cracking sounds. The real thing that is missing from them is a "heart".

  See "Toy Story", "A Bug's Life", and "Monsters, Inc." (all produced by Pixar Studio, who is, in the writer's opinion, superior than their rival competitors), while they are indeed visually revolutionary, the focus is still on story telling - story that combines humor, excitement, and ultimately family-oriented heart-warming theme.

  "Spirited Away" is simply magical, enchanting, funny, and genuinely touching. In the beginning of the film some may be distracted by the in comparison lower frame-rate (i.e. the character movements may not seem as smooth compare to the Hollywood animations), but you will not be able to help but to awe at each beautifully rendered frame. The artistic level and the use of colors in the drawing are all first class. Moreover, 30 minutes into the film, you will probably forget it is drawings that you are watching, because everything inside the screen all comes alive! (Perhaps because it reaches a certain realistic level, some of the scene may be too grizzly and scary)

  It did not become the highest grossing movie in Japan ever for no reason, and it certainly deserves more attention it received in the western world. The ballroom scene in "Beauty and the Beast" never fails to bring tears in my eyes, and it reminds us why we watch cartoon in the beginning. "Spirited Away" achieves in the same way, and it achieves it like a breeze among all these competitions today.
  
  

• The only word is "Wow"

  
  By A1B4NBFZJY2FIZ on 2002-11-04
  I've seen this movie twice and I don't usually do that kind of thing (the last time I did that was for "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon" and in fact, there are some interesting similarities between the two movies). So here's the capsule: A truly excellent piece of art. Funny, moving, beautifully-rendered and thus PERHAPS a little more than slightly scary for younger kids. I think you have to use your judgment for this one, but if your kids can watch Buffy or the death of Bambi's mother, they'll be able to handle this for sure.

  Miyazaki has been described as the greatest (or one of the greatest) anime directors ever and this stunningly well-textured movie is definitely his best visual work yet. In fact the only thing about this movie that was at all disappointing was the sickly music at the end over the credits but even this is part of the cultural experience of modern Asian pop culture so it has relevance even if it makes you leap for the exit as if you were pursued by a vomiting monster.

  I disagree with those reviewers who thought the characters were one-dimensional. While it is true that the plot was very linear, there were a bunch of more subtle things in the movie that suggested some interesting character development. This was (I think) more evident in the subtitled version than the dubbed version: Chihiro/Sen goes from being a fairly spoilt and clingy child to a self-reliant and confident figure (a point underlined needlessly by voice-over dialog in the final scene of the dubbed version). Haku is not the defiant, noble dragon for the whole movie and in fact only really comes into his own after Chihiro feeds him the River Spirit's medicine. Before this point he is caught between his own kind impulses (In the Japanese version, Zeniba tells Chihiro "Dragons are always kind, it's in their nature") and his (originally), willing collaboration with Yubaba. Even Yubaba herself is not totally evil, although she is totally mercenary ("A deal's a deal").

  This last point, I think, is one of Miyazaki's major ideas in the movie. I did not come to this realization until I had been thinking about the character of No Face for two weeks. I was wondering why a disembodied spirit go from being a gentle, generous ghost to a ravening, gluttonous monstrosity. And I think the answer lies in Miyazaki's gentle but pointed rejection of modern, possessive, materialist life (it's not "Western" life he's criticizing. "Materialism" is no more Western than "Spirituality" is Asian, every region of the world has these things. It's just a question of degree and detail).

  Chihiro tells us "It's not good for him [No Face] to be in the bathhouse". After she feeds him some of the River Spirit's medicine, No Face returns (somewhat graphically) to his former self but clearly the environment of the bath house with its overwhelming spirit of greed and indulgence (served, but never made concrete by Yubaba) is what lies at the core of Miyazaki's critique of modern society.

  Think about the way Yubaba's empire is set up: Everyone must work for a living. The work is endless and while satisfying and rewarding in the short term, clearly in the long term it is soul-destroying -not in a dramatic Hollywood-style shoot-out but by slow, routine and deathly poison. Even Kamaji has a train ticket stashed away for his eventual escape. Perhaps its not too far-fetched to suggest that Chihiro's travels through the spirit world and the spirits' desire to escape Yubaba's world of toil are both manifestations of the human spirit's desire for escape from the tyranny of the mundane and the material. Ultimately, perhaps everyone in the bathhouse (with the exception of Yubaba) helps Chihiro because she represents the flight to freedom.

  The incident with the Stink God illustrates the same critique with respect to the environment. Industrial humanity has reduced the beauty and power of a river to a noxious, gasping mass of garbage and industrial pollutants. The visuals in this sequence are just stunning.

  Miyazaki's exteriors of the spirit world by contrast, (except for the ghostly theme-park town which was wonderfully charming and creepy at the same time) are almost all pastoral, evocative and hauntingly beautiful. My favorite however was the train journey which allowed Miyazaki to display his talent for capturing the essence of water with subtle reflections and whispers of sound, while also revealing an ineffable (and very Japanese) sadness in the spirits traveling on the train.

  This is also a land where no-one is what they seem to be. No matter how beautiful the surfaces. People become pigs (revealing the gross nature of humanity perhaps), ghosts become monsters, Zeniba is both malicious and motherly, Haku is a dragon and a boy. Remember too that the most overtly violent scenes (at least as far as bloodshed is concerned) in the movie involve birds made of paper!

  Nope, I don't think this was a simple-minded movie at all. Go see it. You will not be disappointed if you have even half a soul. It's the kind of thing that will stay with you for a very long time and that you'll find yourself going to see again years later. Probably more than once.
  
  

• The New Form for Children's Films
  By A3DE1IYJGU5HPW on 2002-11-20
  A children's movie with pluralistic moral lessons? An animated film with the maturity to entrance adults and kids alike for almost two-and-a-half hours? Drawings that rival the finest in contemporary comic books and manga? In a word, yes, and in two words: "Spirited Away."

  The story opens with Chihiro, a 10-year-old girl (voiced by "Lilo and Stitch's" Daveigh Chase), and her family moving to a new city. Chihiro is appropriately upset at losing her friends, and when a wrong turn takes her family into what appears to be an abandoned amusement park, she wanders off on her own to sulk. Her parents find a food booth and begin chowing down, but when night falls and strange things start to happen, Chihiro realizes it isn't an amusement park but a resort for the spirit world - and her parents have magically turned into pigs. Sacrificing her name (literally) to the enigmatic ruler of a large bathhouse, the crone Yubaba, and aided by a strange boy named Haku, Chihiro (now called Sen) tries to adjust to life in the spirit world while attempting to rescue her parents.

  Like Miyazaki's other films ("Princess Mononoke," "Kiki's Delivery Service"), "Spirited" takes a non-condescending approach to children's filmmaking. Good and evil are not presented as polar opposites, but they can often be found in the same person. Yubaba, the "villain," isn't bad per se, and Haku isn't necessarily a paragon of good intentions. Chihiro herself is ambiguous, although good of heart and obviously trying to do the right thing. Her character develops more than any other in the film, and her transformation from a spoiled kid to a responsible young adult is both realistic and heartening. The backdrop of Japanese mythology and the Shinto/Buddhist spirit world is equally compelling, and although most of it will be strange to American audiences, the cultural barriers aren't difficult to overcome - as all timeless legends are.

  When everyone is complaining about Hollywood's lack of ethics and/or making children's films that "talk down" to the kids, there should be more "Spirited Aways." It's unfortunate that a film like "The Iron Giant," similar in style if not in substance, was a relative flop at the box office three years ago; both it and "Spirited" belong in any parents' video library, and "Aladdin IV: Another Moneymaker" can gather dust on the warehouse shelves. This, friends, is what animated filmmaking should be about.

  Final Grade: A
  
  

• More than you expect...
  By A1ND6U2MAQQMZA on 2003-04-03
  I had the privelege of seeing this movie on the big screen in a subtitled and dubbed version. To say I was impressed was an understatement at the very least.

  Being an animation major and having a serious interest and passable knowledge of Japanese Culture/History I was in seventh heaven when I saw this film. The use of 2D traditional cel animation as the primary storytelling device is both refreshing and important. Flashy 3D effects do not a better story make (Treasure Planet and this year's academy award winning short The ChubbChubbs being good examples of that). The 3D effects in this film are subtle and are used to enhance the story rather than cover up for gaping plot holes. Character design is on spot and the backgrounds sport more details than the past three Disney movies. One of the things I've always loved about Miyazaki is the way he makes things look real. They don't look like stage sets (as many of Disney's films do) and add an element of realism/depth that make the story all the more relevant. Things are messy and imperfect.

  I KNOW how hard it was to make this film and because of its sophisticated themes (greed/gluttony, environmental pollution/cleansing), dark ideas (slavery, death, etc) and somewhat scary moments I was very sure it wouldn't make it to big screen at all. Disney for once did the right thing and despite their lackluster promotion of the film it did receive the American accolades it deserved (99 top 10 lists and the Academy Award Best Animated Picture) This movie is not for young kids, as there are real moments of danger for the main characters and things that little children will not understand. Miyazaki is NOT Disney. Unfortunately a lot of people see animation and think it must automatically be kid friendly. It is important you do your homework before taking a young child to this movie.

  That being said if you are at all interested in fantasy adventures like Alice in Wonderland (the original not the Disney treatment/sanitization) or The Neverending Story this is for you! For film buffs I suggest the original Japanese soundtrack with English subtitles as they speak much more to the Japanese culture aspects that were squashed in the Disney dub.
  
  

• Supreme Craftsmanship, and a well paced story to boot!
  By on 2002-08-24
  I saw 'Spirited Away' in a Tokyo theatre last year while visiting, and then bought the Japanese DVD with English subtitles to understand the story. Each time the film improved even though the first viewing was stunning enough. Watching this lush visual film in the theatre will show viewers how limited DVD video is in detail. After seeing the Disney trailer I can admit they did the voices very very well, and the interpretation helped massively from the trailer alone.

  Mr. Miyazaki's imagination explodes across an Asian 'Alice In Wonderland' tale of a girl, Chihiro (shortened to Sen by a witch during the story) caught in a realm inhabited by gods and spirits seperated from the real world by a widening river she and her parents accidentally cross. Underneath the playful designs and truely scary, yet uplifting, scenarios lies a strong story dealing with greed and its abuses. Chihiro's pure heart is the only free path avoiding the pitfalls of gods, spirits, and her own parents which brings revelation and culmination to the twisted circumstances confusing the world she is placed within. Never a dull moment, and the story doesn't wander aimlessly between confusing B and C plots as some Miyazaki films have done.

  This is a brilliant film for any member of the family, although it could be intimidating for some younger children. There is no gore, sex or prolonged and gruesome battles which splatter the anime screen, but there are rather creepy moments dealing with spooky appiritions while Chihiro attempts to regain her composure as she gets surrounded by the spirits appearing in the world, and then being chased by a vomitous, spidery goliath which entrances, then devours its greedy prey (but don't fear, it resolves well). Hopefully this is the film that breaks Miyazaki to the average American movie goer. This and Porco Rosso are his greatest animated films due to their subtlety, variety and skill along with strong story line and truely appropriate acting conveying intentions and plot perfectly. Congrats, Ghibli.
  
  

• Academy Award-winning for a reason!
  By A378WO3ESBBXQ3 on 2003-03-26
  At the time of this review's writing, Spirited Away just won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, beating out Lilo & Stitch, Treasure Planet, Spirit, and Ice Age. It also bears the distinction of being the first Japanese animation to win the award. I say, there was no contest.

  Spirited Away is a fantastic and deep movie, with characters that feel very much alive, even though they're obviously animated drawings. Miyazaki, the director, deliberately instructed his animators to focus on the tiny human details of everyday actions, such as eating. The animators were actually in the studio's cafeteria, filming their coworkers. This attention to detail is what makes the movie come alive. Chihiro sits down and carefully inches her way down a steep stairway on the outside of a building. Chihiro's mother bites a strip of meat off a cooked bird, and pulls sideways with her jaw, not straight out. (The meat doesn't streeeeetch and pop, either.) It just seems REAL.

  And then, of course, the movie really begins and things get somewhat surreal. The parade of creatures crossing the bridge is just the beginning: Robed figures wearing masks and holding fans in front of their faces, creatures that appear to be giant chickadees, weird monster-like creatures with tusks and horns and green hair. And they're being welcomed by humanish frogs. And that's just the beginning of the movie.

  But, at the same time, with all these fantastic spirits and creatures, the movie maintains its human element: Chihiro. She is the only real human in most of the movie, and it is her ability to adapt, and to care, that propels the story. Chiriho grows. She learns that she has to make it on her own initiative if she wants to get what she needs.

  If you're still with me, hopefully you're not of the mind that cartoons are just for kids. This movie has a PG rating for a reason. It's not for young children. There is some blood, and a few moments that would probably scare anyone under the age of 8 or so. However, this movie is for kids and adults not because of that, but because of how deep and meaningful its story is. Months after seeing it in theatres, I was still picking out pieces of theme from the film. There is a lot in here: Themes of identity and names, friendship, giving, family, greed, love, bravery, survival, maturity, and self-sacrifice.

  Miyazaki also gave the story another aspect of realism: There is no clearly-defined "good" and "bad" guy. The heroine (Chihiro) is not perfect, though she tries hard to be strong. The 'villain' has a warm, caring side that she reserves for only one person. The mysterious character with unclear motives takes an unexpected turn. Miyazaki refuses to paint the story in extremes of black and white. What does this mean? He writes the story with all the detail and care it deserves, knowing you'll have to be paying attention.

  All of this to say, watch this movie. I believe you'll thank me for it.
  
  

• Great Movie!
  By A2TO2RTVQYPTDX on 2003-04-06
  I really didn't want to see this movie at first, but I forced to as it was my brother's birthday, and he is an animation fanatic.

  Even though I'm fifteen and like to think of myself as above cartoon movies, this has quickly turned into one of my favorite movies, prompting a fifth visit to my local theater to see it. Everytime I see it, I notice something different about it, that I didn't before.

  It has a fantastic plot, and really transports you to a different world where not everything is as it seems on the surface. It really absorbs you. There are sad parts, and well as funny parts, and you feel the emotions of the charachters.

  Despite the PG rating, this movie may scare little kids, as there is some pretty weird stuff going on in the movie, such as people beng transformed into pigs, several monsters, dragons, and some animated blood.

  This is definitely one of the most enjoyable movies I have seen in a really long time.
  
  

• Miyazaki's Masterpiece
  By APL7KHB0KKPA3 on 2003-04-22
  I am gratified to see that Spirited Away is finally getting the attention in this country that it has long deserved. Buried by Disney until the Academy Awards, the latest creation of Japan's animation guru is simply stunning -- the best animated feature since Snow White.

  You've read the plot summaries and perhaps the idea of a Japanese film about a 10-year old girl who gets trapped in the spirit world sounds strange. But this picture has universal appeal. I'm an 30-year old white American male and I love this movie. The (mostly) hand-drawn animation is lush, gorgeous and incredibly dynamic. And how nice is it to see 3-dimensional characters in a complex touching story that goes in unexpected directions every chance it gets? It leaves anything produced by Disney/Pixar in the dust.

  Disney has done an excellent job of bringing this movie to America. The copy is crisp and clear -- although obviously not as magnificent as on the big screen. The voice-dubbing is very good, matching the character's mouths without losing content. I had a slight problem with Princess Mononoke's dubbing because some of the celebrity voices (especially Thornton and Anderson) were distracting. That's not the case here. The english voices are perfectly cast (especially Suzanne Pleshette as Yubaba/Zeniba).

  A few notes on the DVD. The extras are OK with the exception of an outstanding Japanese TV special on the making of Spirited Away. Rather than focus on the technical aspects, it focuses on Miyazaki himself and his uber-talented group of artists at Studio Ghibli. It's definitely worth your time.

  Also, some comments have unfavorably compared this version to the Japanese version. For the record, Disney is contractually forbidden from changing a single frame of the movie -- not one frame. Period. There *are* some differences in dialogue but you can watch in Japanese with more literally translated subtitles (subtitle track 2) if you prefer.

  Final comment: this movie may not be suitable for very young children as it has some scary sequences and is over two hours long. But for everyone else, this is an incredible movie. And for animation fans, it's a must-have.
  
  

• I was Blown Away
  By AH4IRHFUFERTZ on 2003-02-19
  Chihiro, a typical slightly spoiled ten year old girl, wanders off the beaten path with her parents, and is thrust into a bewildering otherworld. Her parents have soon fallen under a malign enchantment, and suddenly it falls to her, with the aid of a mysteriously familiar boy named Haku, to rescue them. She has to decide where to place her trust, as it becomes apparent that Haku is in the service of the villainous tyrant grandmother Yabubu, who rules over this otherworld.

  It is Chihiro's spirit that steers her through these uncharted waters. We watch her discover in herself and exhibit, tentatively at first but with growing confidence, all of the virtues a fairy-tale hero must learn: resourcefulness, compassion, politeness (hey, this *is* Japanese!) and courage. Because we've witnessed her ordinary beginnings, we identify with and believe in all her emerging qualities. It's all done with a deft matter-of-fact touch that never cloys and never preaches. The animation is quietly dazzling. The plot is dense and full of surprises. The symbolism is as exotic as a Shinto shrine, and as familiar as the echos set up by the best fairy tales from Hans Christian Andersen or old Russia.

  The cream of American animation for children in recent years - films like Aladdin or Monsters Inc - have drawn in audiences with screenplays written on a double track: a simple, comforting story for the kids, and a long series of nods and winks over the kids' heads to the adults, catering to our sense of irony and patting us on the back for catching all the topical and cinematic references. And that's been fun as far as it goes.

  "Spirited Away" throws all that into the dustbin, goes back to the basics, to the conventions and surprises of timeless fairy tale, to a character-based humor that appeals to all ages, and to the sense of wonder that reawakens the child in everyone. It's an hour and a half of pure, funny poetry. It hits every mark it aims for. It's an unqualified classic. And it will become the first DVD I buy for my two year old grandson, even though it will have to be held in trust until he turns six, and can watch it without being freaked out by the spooky parts.
  
  

• STOP assuming cartoons are for KIDS ONLY!!!
  By A2RXCARNQ7YA6W on 2003-03-04
  Spirited Away is a triumph of storytelling, and a delight to watch. The animation is typical of Studio Ghibli, in that it is very stylized and simple, yet very attentive to the subtle nuances of human expression. The film was an absolute delight to watch, and it never copped out to silliness or a cheap tear-jerking tragedy (a.k.a. kill-off-a-supporting-character-to-make-the-kids-bawl-Disney). It also stays completely away from typical American cliche plot-devices, and lame Disneyesque supersaturated cuteness. When all that is stripped away, you are left with a quietly breathtaking and imaginative journey into traditional Japanese culture, mythical fantasy, and the human spirit. And the film is not meant for your toddler, period.
  In Japan, it is perfectly acceptable to market an animated film to an adult crowd. If you try to do that here, everyone will think that the film is pornographic. Why? Because Americans think that all cartoons are for kids, and the ones that are not for kids are porn. This type of thinking is narrow-minded and stupid. Granted, there are a lot of animated porn films coming out of Japan, but that's only because most of the American distributors that are buying the films think that porn and little kids' shows are the only thing that sell in this country. The worst part about it? They're right. Americans won't buy the other stuff, because we refuse to give anything new a chance.
  For whatever it's worth to all you one-star raters, you have completely missed the point with this film. It's not meant for your four-year-old, and it's not supposed to be nicey-cutesy-fuzzy-wuzzy-sweetie-kissy-Disney. This is a landmark achievement in filmmaking that is meant to be enjoyed, understood, and pondered later; three things your little one more than likely will not do. So if you are one of those people who would feel embarassed if your were seen going into a theater that was showing an animated film, stay away from good anime like this, and stick with the nice, safe cartoons about horsies and dalmatian doggies.
  To all the rest of you that can tell a good film when you see it, and won't pass judgement on it before it has a chance to carry you away: Please help keep good anime coming to America, and buy this film. It is not "mean" or "nonsensical" like some one-star-reviewers say. It is groundbreaking, epic fantasy animation. And it's not for the toddlers. Buy them a Rugrats tape.
  
  
• A magical ride!!!!
  By A1DZKOOMMJM1MI on 2003-04-02
  When animated films were just about going downhill with Disney's direct-to-video releases, and Warner Bros. poor attempts at imitating quality Disney classics, along came Lilo and Stitch, Spirit, and the little seen Spirited Away, an amazing film from Japan that deservedly beat its competition to win Best Animated Feature at this year's Academy Awards.

  Writer/director Hayao Miyazaki's animé fantasy epic is the first animated film in the 50-year history of the prestigious Venice Film Festival to win the top prize. In Japan, the movie earned $230 million, dethroning "Titanic" as the country's box office champ. Miyazaki knows all the uses of enchantment. "Spirited Away" references everything from Grimms' fairy tales to Greek myths as it plunges us into a world that gets curiouser and curiouser and curiouser.

  The simple, yet elegant story follows10-year-old Chihiro (expertly voiced by Daveigh Chase from "Lilo & Stitch"). Tucked into the back seat of her parents' car, she refuses to be happy about the family's move to a new suburban neighborhood. "It'll be an adventure," Mom and Dad insist. More so than they could possibly imagine. Dad takes a wrong turn and comes upon what appears to be an abandoned theme park. Chihiro would rather stay in the car, but her folks want to explore. Finding a sumptuous unattended feast, they hungrily gobble down everything in sight, despite protests from their daughter.
  Her parents refuse to listen, so the brave little girl wanders off to explore. When she returns, her parents have been horribly transformed -- and once the sun goes down, the park is transformed, too. It becomes filled with an astonishing array of gods, spirits and unimaginable creatures. Haku (Jason Marsden), a handsome boy with Prince Valiant bangs, helpfully explains that she's accidentally stumbled into a kind of spa for the spirit world.

  Everything and everyone in "Spirited Away" can turn into something entirely different. Transformations and metamorphoses are the essence of Miyazaki's film. Even Chihiro is transformed by her adventures. As in all classic fairy tales, she learns that if you're clever, brave and good, you can triumph over even the most desperate and unnerving ordeals.

  Miyazaki's nonstop images are so stunning, and his imagination so vivid, that the only possible complaint you could have about "Spirited Away" is that there is no rest period, no timeout. Everywhere you look, there's something incredible. It's a marvel to behold.

  The English-language version comes courtesy of Disney (the producer is John Lasseter of "Toy Story" fame), but please note the PG rating. "Spirited Away" is not for younger kids or anxiety-prone adolescents. A lot of this is the stuff bad dreams are made of. For everyone else, "Spirited Away" is not to be missed. It's what movie magic is all about. One of the best animated films ever made.
  
  

• Greedy to Disney no Distributor
  By A39LRLKACX89IP on 2002-11-28
  To begin with I can't help but agree with all the accolades for this movie. English version or not, this plays as well as any picture I've ever experienced. Over 40 years ago as a boy, I was enchanted by a special animated film (of who's name I can't remember, and I've never found again). The film was about a young boy learning to be a man. He was taught by a wise man, wizard, sensei or something like that, in ways that changed his view of the world and his perception of himself. The challenges he faced were very "Eastern", (yet still universal) and the philosophy learned has carried through my life to this day. Spirited Away is the type of movie that can have this kind of effect on young viewers. The positive experience we can draw from movies like this, can't be compared to banal animation films with dancing tea cups, and weak lessons in PC morality.
  Unfortunately Disney wants to control the animation market for young children. Its pathetic efforts in the releasing of Spirited Away, and the previous Ghibli Studio movie Princess Mononoke, provide compelling evidence that Disney fears the intrusion of quality competition into its US marketplace. I had to drive over 100 miles to see Spirited Away because Disneys maximum release was 151 theaters, and that was only for a week. I would encourage any anime fan or any discerning parent to buy the DVD or video when it is released. If you should get the chance to see the movie on the big screen, don't miss it, its a real treat for the eyes and the mind.
  
  
• the most breathtaking...
  By on 2003-04-12
  amazing movie i have seen in a long time. i only went to watch it after reading awsome review from critics and watching it win the oscar for best animated feature. never did i expect to be totally enchanted by this wonderful film. the animation is simply beautiful, the story is heartbreaking and touching, the characters are ones you will never forget. my ten year old sister would not stop talking about it and even I could not help but think about it. as a word of caution, there are some gross and really creepy moments that will scare little children and the entire movie lasts well over two hours. but don't think for even a second that this is a children's movie. the complexity and rich detail makes this a masterpiece of artwork. this movie, with its adorable and moving nature, is destined to become a modern american classic even though it is japanese anime. i just wish that more people would go see it and experience this magical treat for themselves. this really was worth my time.
  
  
• An epic adventure of finding one's courage
  By A3KGYTO6CF8MGF on 2003-11-12
  "Spirited Away" was my welcome into anime, and a good one at that. Japanese animation is sometimes hard to follow and often confusing but this is very easy to understand. The creative works of Hayao Miyazaki previously include classics such as "Kiki's Delivery Service", "Castle In The Sky" and "Princess Mononoke", but "Spirited Away" is his latest and most acclaimed to date, winning countless awards and deservedly so. There's always been a certain magic to his movies and this is no exception.

  As a family becomes lost while looking for their new home, they stumble upon a train station that leads them to an old, abandoned theme park. The young girl Chihiro has an eerie feel about the place so she's reluctant to explore and begs to go back, but as her Mom and Dad become enticed with the smell of delicious food cooking from a distance, they ignore her pleas and venture further into the shops, leaving poor, frightened Chihiro with no choice but to follow.

  Her parents eventually come across plates stacked of tasty eateries and indulge themselves in it. As they try to persuade Chihiro to join them, she briskly shakes her head and, frustrated, wanders off on her own. It's then when she notices a bath house and comes to meet a mysterious boy named Haku who warns her to get out of there. As he pushes her away, darkness descends and the place no longer seems abandoned as the lights flicker on and the night comes alive with black ghosts (or spirits). As she runs back to her parents, what she finds instead are her Mom and Dad transformed into pigs. Confused and scared, she races back to the entrance only to realize that it's covered with deep waters now as a boat arrives with masked figures cloaked in drapes. As she tries to convince herself that this is all just a dream as she struggles to wake up, Haku (an oddly familiar soul) returns to her side, giving her substance so she doesn't fade and become invisible. In time she learns to trust him and he promises to assist in getting her parents back so she can leave this place and return home. But first she must blend in and demand work from the boilerman, whom happens to have legs and arms like a spider, to escape the greed that could trap her in this strange world forever. Through a series of events she eventually becomes suspicious of Haku's motives but has no other options in saving her parents. Along the way she makes new friends, becomes a stronger person, and faces challenges that help unearth the courage from within herself.

  "Spirited Away" has everything you'd expect from a fantasy movie, such as a dragon that reminds me of "A Neverending Story" and a witch named Yubaba (with a very big head and an even bigger baby, mind you), but the imagination and storytelling are truly original and you never know what's going to happen next. It's a real joy to watch and the dreamy animation is beautifully realized as it's brought to life.
  
  

• Miyazki's Newest Classic
  By A2R24DNXG6HIYS on 2003-01-22
  First of all I would like to add my own spite for Disney's handling of this film! If they had put even HALF of the promotion behind Spirited Away that they did for their own poor quality films such as Lilo and Stich, then they could have made hundreds of millions off of this films! BIG mistake Disney!

  Anyway, this is one of the greatest films of all times! The characters are full of life and emotions, which is rare to see in an animated film. The artwork is flawless and beautiful and it has the most original story concepts of any movie from the past 50 years. I cannot emphasize how great this movie is. If you are a fan of classic films such as Alice in Wonderland or Wizard of Oz then you will absolutely love this movie. This movie is a classic that will be enjoyed my children and adults. I also recommend checking out Miyzaki's (the directors) earlier works such as Princess Mononoke and Castle in the Sky!
  
  

• A Wonderful Movie! Miyazaki at his best!
  By A3H2K3442NY63P on 2002-10-11
  As I said in my title, this is a wonderful movie. I mean that literally. It is full of a sense of wonder. As you may have gathered from other reviews, a girl and her parents manage to accidentally stumble into the Japanese spirit world. More specifically, they stumble into a bath house/resort where the spirits and magical creatures of Japan go to relax and unwind. I'll reveal this much of the plot: through their own careless actions, her parents are cursed, and it is up to the young heroine to save them. That's all the plot you'll get out of me. In praise of the film, the animation is fluid and beautifully detailed, the dreamy music always fits the mood of the film, and the voice acting (where some animes fall flat) is quite good. Despite the occasionally sinister or downright malevolent goings on, Spirited Away manages to maintain a feel of innocent wonder. I think the secret to this is the heroine, who is just a normal little girl placed into an extraordinary situation. She's no warrior princess with miles of attitude, or a magical maiden with hidden powers. She's just a girl, small and not very strong, but she has a good heart and enough personal strength to muddle through as well as she can. This film somehow put me in a good mood for the rest of the day, and is easily one of the best animated films I've seen in well over a year. If you can catch it at the cinema, do so! It's well worth the price of tickets.

  EDITED . . .:
  Just as an extra bit of information, a day or two after I saw this movie, I went home from college for the weekend to spend some time with my parents, and got them to go and see it again with me. I enjoyed it just as much as I did at the first viewing, and my parents loved it.
  
  

• Don't pass up this remarkable film!
  By A23GFTVIETX7DS on 2003-06-13
  "Spirited Away" could never be confused with a traditional Disney flick. After taking a wrong turn on the way to their new house, Chihiro and her parents stumble upon what they believe is a deserted theme park. In a terrifying scene, they are ripped apart - the parents transformed into obscenely greedy pigs and Chihiro literally fading away. Rescued by Haku, the apprentice to the witch Yubaba, Chihiro soon discovers she is trapped in a bathhouse for spirits and gods. Many hilarious, other frighteningly evil, these spirits give the bathhouse an eery surreality that Chihiro comes to embrace.

  Using his considerable talent, Miyazaki has once again created an inspired, stunningly animated film. Those raised on Disney might find themselves off-balance without the moralistic overtones, but Miyazaki does not create his films for young children. As with ?Princess Mononoke,? this film is far too intense and complex for those under eight. Miyazaki's films are about story and visual delights - and ?Spirited Away? is no exception. His characters are well-defined and multi-dimensional, often charming in an off-beat way. Chihiro makes an irresistible heroine, and Haku is a magnetic, appropriately mysterious hero. Even the comedic giant baby (I laugh as I think of him) fills the screen with life.

  The dubbed version of this movie is actually better than most dubbed versions of Japanese movies, with added lines to help those not familiar with Japanese culture orient themselves. For example, the Sumo-like radish god is named in the English, but not in the subtitled version. Also in the English, the parents grunt like pigs before they morph, foreshadowing their fate in a way the Japanese language edition does not. Although I?m a purist and always prefer the original language version, those watching the dubbed will still be rewarded.

  I highly recommend this film for everyone over eight years old. Don't confuse animation with simplicity because "Spirited Away" is anything but two-dimensional. Treat yourself to this remarkable film. I doubt you'll regret the entry into Miyazaki's fantastical world.
  
  

• Possibly the best film of the year
  By A2KB14WCZ1DVE3 on 2002-10-21
  The true test of how good a kids' movie is is to see how long they can sit through it without fidgeting. Most animated features clock in at less than 90 minutes. Folks, here we have one that runs slightly over TWO HOURS, and our four, five, seven, and nine year old children stayed put for the entire performance. Need I say more?

  Of course I will. This truly awesome piece of work is equally entertaining for adults, and is at the top of the list of movies I can't wait for DVD release. They throw so much imagination at you that most people will need several viewings to absorb it all.

  The plot, at a simple level, involves the adventures of a girl who gets trapped in a magical land after her parents are "Spirited Away" by a spell. At a more complex level, it can get really complex, but let's just say it involves the girl working in a bathhouse for spirits who need to be cleansed of various things. To go any further would be confusing, but I will say that there are references to protecting the environment throughout.

  I've seen only a limited theatrical release of this film, even though it has made megabucks overseas. I urge people to put this high on their "must see" list, as it might not be available to see that long. You don't often see a movie with this much imagination, and has no space ships or references to flatulence that seem obligatory in most of today's films.
  
  

• Another Great Animated Adventure from Hayao Miyazaki
  By A18RQ2URRGIIEA on 2003-04-18
  Like "Princess Mononoke", director Hayao Miyazaki's latest animated film, "Spirited Away", was inspired greatly by animistic Shinto beliefs. The story begins with a young girl named Chihiro riding in a car with her parents. While driving to their new home, they take a turn onto a dirt road that leads them to an old building. In spite of Chihiro's objections, she follows her parents into the building's entrance. They emerge on the other side into daylight and walk towards a set of buildings. The buildings appear abandoned, but when Chihiro's parents smell food cooking, they follow it to a well-stocked restaurant and begin to gorge themselves. Chihiro refuses to eat and wanders away to investigate on her own. When she returns, she finds that her parents have turned into two fat pigs. When night suddenly falls, Chihiro is further terrified by the unexpected appearance of an assortment of strange spiritual beings; but one boy, Haku, helps Chihiro and tells her that there may be a way to restore her parents. Will Chihiro, who is later renamed Sen, be able to restore her parents and survive in the strange world or spirits and magic?

  As in "Princess Mononoke", the animation in "Spirited Away" is intricate, amazing and beautiful. Other very interesting characters include the witch Yubaba, Sen's coworker Lin, boiler manager Kamaji, the little black creatures that assist Kamaji, and No-Face. Western viewers may find the story strange since the story contains no battles between good & evil, and also since many of the characters are inherently neither good nor evil for the most part either. Overall, I found the plot to be very engaging, as well as the cinematography and animation, and I rate the film with 5 out of 5 stars. The DVD version can be watched in its original Japanese with English subtitles, or dubbed in English, which was done well. "Spirited Away" is a film that children and adults alike can both enjoy and watch repeatedly without becoming tiresome.
  
  

• Weird? Grotesque? Well, this is Japan!
  By A2AN988COWP49T on 2004-02-07
  As a Japanese, I was totally fluttered by whom rated this film 5-stars and gave kind praises to it as if it is me who are praised. On the other hand, it saddens me a little that there are some people who don't like it at all. But can't complain, I guess, as it would be natural thing.
  Interestingly, though, most of those who say "Didn't like it" seem to just not understand the whole concept of the film that is, say, "Japaneseness".

  Weird, odd and grotesque creatures? Well, some of them may be Miyazaki's creations, but the most of them are not uncommon at all in Japanese forklores. We have a milliards of gods and spirits and monsters (most of them are harmless and good-hearted unless you are harmful to them!).
  
  While many of Japanese would say of themselves as non-religeous or rather nonchalant about religions, but, in fact, they are quite superstitious. I could say most of the Japanese are animists deep down in their souls. (Existence of the souls is a priori here, by the way)
  Some years ago, then prime minister Mori said "Japan is a gods' land."in a meeting of Shinto (it means "gods' way") priests and stirred a controversy among the left-wingers in and outside of Japan because the phrase was interpreted as "the Divine Land" like in the Christianity's sense. This was unfortunate misunderstanding since, in Japan, mountains, rivers, trees, rocks, earth, and even cooking fire-places have gods in them. Virtually speaking, gods are everywhere. Gods mean the nature itself. So, Mr. Mori said only a matter of course about Japan.

  In Japan, children are (or, I might say, used to be) taught not to disturb or impurify those places or things or animals that have gods or spirits in them, or you may get a curse____ like Chihiro's parents did!
  It was interesting part of this film to me that Chihiro's Mother (and Father too, I guess) apparently had some knowledges about those gods' houses (Hokora, in Japanese), still, they felt nothing awesome about it. It was Chihiro, who was evidently ignorant about those gods' stuff, lazy and self-centred modern day girl, that sensed something unearthly of them and felt a strong objection to intrude into the gods' domain, almost instinctively.
  That made me think about the national identity of the Japanese that, they say, many of us have lost since the defeat of the world war 2 because the American occupation policy denied "Japanese spirit", that is much based on this somekind of religious feelings every Japanese could have at the bottom of their hearts, as a dangerous thought and tried to wipe it out so that the "saucy" Japanese would never stand up against America.
  Maybe you could say that Chihiro's parents are typical of post-war Japanese who have been educated in that left-tilted, sort of self-denying way.
  But, thankfully, it has certainly remained in hearts of us. Some of us, if not all of us. That is, I think, why this film moved the hearts of such a large number of audience in Japan. Especially the grown-ups who, I think, have searched everywhere and everyday for the "Japanese spirit" that they can identify with their own Japaneseness.

  Another significance of this film is that it has restored old virtues such as diligence, being free from avarice and respectful to your superiors, and courage those have been quite neglected recently. That is one main reason why I want my children to watch this film outside the fact that it is simplly a great fun and a joy for the eyes, although they (especially my youngest who was 4 when she saw this film for the first time in Japan) just admire it and watch it for a million times without telling to do so.

  By the way, I was shocked by a review with 1-star rating that says Chihiro's work experience in the Bath House as a "slavedom". It reminded me an English person accusing me of using my children like slaves when I asked them to help me do the household chore. When I was young, it was perfectly nomal for the children to help their parents, I admit it is not always true these days, though.
  Moreover, for the Japanese, working is not only for living but rather high-minded thing to do, I would say. (At reast it was so just a decade ago until the "bubble" thing made everyone crazy.)

  Anyway, finding so many foreigners love this "very Japanese" film makes me almost cry. It means a lot to me. Knowing entire of other people are not disapproval of your cultural origin makes me so happy. That sense of tolerance would make the world much better place to live.

  Thank you all, and I am proud of you very much, Mr. Miyazaki.
  
  

• Lush and meaningful
  By A26TSW6AI59ZCV on 2006-02-09
  As this is a much-reviewed and well-described film, on these pages of Amazonland, I shall refrain from restating the already-stated, and go straight to why I gave this wonderful piece of animation five stars.
  
  First, it is technically magnificent, from the colors, to the music, to the imaginative scenery, to the movements of the characters, everything is lush, bright, enchanting, slightly surreal, and smooth.
  
  Second, with a story from Japan, there are many elements here that will seem refreshingly new to non-Japanese viewers. However, it is not so foreign that people will have trouble identifying with it. On the contrary, while there are elements of Japanese culture permeating the story, the characters are people that do not seem strange at all. I have met little girls like Chihiro/Sen, through my job working as a child psychologist.
  
  Third, while the story has many elements of Japanese culture, the basic premise reminded me strongly of "The Wizard of Oz," with Chihiro setting off adrift, scared, struggling through foreign territory, seeking a rescuer, very unsure of herself, and ending up . . . finding herself. Her strengths emerge, and she metamorphoses from a victim needing to be rescued, to a hero who uses her inner resources to become a rescuer of herself and others. It is an existential journey, during which she redefines and even recreates herself.
  
  This is an excellent family film, and would be especially wonderful for parents to watch with their children.
  
  P.S.: While I did not see it mentioned on this product-page, the DVD I saw had English-language actors voicing the dialogue, including Suzanne Pleshette as the witch and Michael Chiklis as the girl's father.
  
  
• Miyazaki, you’re the king
  By A37PV5GMP2ILJC on 2006-04-13
  Miyazaki, you’re the king
  I love your anime
  My son sat still for two whole hours
  Of “Spirited Away”
  
  Chihiro and her Mom and Dad
  Are for a new home bound
  They miss the turn (as Father’s do)
  And stop to look around
  
  Unknowingly they cross the line
  Out of this mortal plane
  Chihiro tries to tell them so
  But her pleas are in vain
  
  Before she blinks the sun is gone
  And spirits soon arrive
  A boy gives her some good advice
  On how to stay alive
  
  She makes some friends and gets a job
  And mends her bratty ways
  She helps to heal a river god
  which earns her lots of praise
  
  She feeds a dragon herbal cake
  that frees it from a spell
  and soon she finds a way to help
  her friend and make him well
  
  Her final task is very hard
  No time to be mistaken
  She has to rescue Mom and Dad
  Before they’re turned to bacon
  
  We’ve watched this movie many times
  It’s never getting old
  I can attest that it deserves
  The millions it has sold
  
  
  
  
  Amanda Richards, April 12, 2006
  
  
  
  
• A FANTASTIC MASTERPIECE!
  By A2F5PAC9I5SCG6 on 2006-09-12
  Have you ever watched a film, or in this case an anime, and not cared about any metaphors or allegories hidden within the film? The kind you don't want to dissect and over-analyze? Well, this is one of those type of films, rare indeed, in which you just allow your suspension-of-disbelief to take hold of you and carry you off on that magic carpet ride in your imagination. Hayao Miyazaki is just this person that did this for me when I viewed this film. I know there are hundreds of reviews here, and one more is not going to matter as far as those who have not seen it, but this is truly a fantastic, magical and genuine masterpiece!
  
  "Grave of the Fireflies" will probably always be my favorite animated film, however, this is my favorite 'happy' anime. Truly a pure joy to watch. I am glad that there are creative artist's such as Hayao Miyazaki in the world, and I sure know that when I first saw this film four-years-ago, my two daughters were glad too. I do not wish to spoil this film for any of you who have not seen this delightfully enchanting film. This is a film that you need to watch if you have not already. I don't want to put any spoilers in here you might see. I would just add, go out and buy it, I am sure you will enjoy the film. And it's not just for children either. Adults like it too! Highest Recommendation.
  
  
• Another Masterpiece from Director Hayao Miyzaki
  By A2G0WJZ9Q7YU0Y on 2004-01-03
  Not enough can be said about the greatest animator to come along in the last 40 years. Writer and director, Hayao Miyazaki, is responsible for animated classics such as "My Neighbor Totoro," and "Kiki's Delivery Service." That's not to also mention perhaps the greatest animated feat since Disney's "Fantasia," "Princess Mononoke." At the 2003 Academy Awards his movie "Spirited Away" received the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film, with help from well over 100 top-ten lists from some of today's most well known critics.

  Chihiro is the typical ten-year-old; especially when it comes to moving to a new house and a new way of life. Already frightened and unsure about the future Chihiro is confronted with a new challenge when her father misses the turnoff to their new home and winds up at the entrance of a seemingly abandon theme park.

  "It's an abandon theme park . . . they built them everywhere in the early nineties. Then the economy went bad, and they all went bankrupt. This must be one of them . . ."

  Dusk approaches as Chihiro's parents decide to investigate. They cross a long field of grass and soon pickup on the scent of food lingering in the air. After several minutes of looking they find several steaming dishes of food at a counter. Chihiro's parents decide to help themselves, even at the requests of Chihiro to leave. Paying no attention to her Chihiro decides to go for a walk and shortly after runs into the mysterious young character, Haku, who hastily insists that she leave before dark. But it is too late. Large, ghostlike shadows begin to appear out of encroaching dusk. Chihiro runs to where her parents are eating only to find two enormous pigs where her parents once sat. Horrified, Chihiro calls out their names to no avail. She tries to run away, only to find the field she had crossed earlier, is now a lake.

  It is here that Chihiro encounters an enchanting new world that will test her own abilities, and make light of the ones within her.

  I know most folks are thinking this is another one of them "coming of age" stories. And maybe you're right. But you're wrong to grade "Spirited Away" by same criteria as the Hollywood same-old-same-old. Yes, the movie is animated, which probably sends most people's thoughts of the movie straight to the "kiddie realm," and I'd have to say you're wrong again. Hayao Miyazaki is heavily credited for re-inventing the definition of animation. Though his characters are drawn, the essence they encapsulate is so much more than people give credit for. His stories are deep, enthralling, and touching. They strike at the very chord of human imagination, and all its capacities.

  After the first five minutes of this movie, I forgot I was watching "cartoon" characters and began to see them as real people; which ironically happens in just about all of Miyazaki's films. Miyazaki redefines the genre of animation by giving thought into every aspect of his work. The backgrounds are rich in detail and deep in soul. Every shot has been specifically placed to tell the story in its amazing entirety. In fact Miyazaki personally checks and re-checks every drawing that will be placed in the final cut. Animation allows the plot to shine and Miyazaki's original concepts to surface in a way that has never been done before. This is a man that takes pride in his work, and it is a fact that is strongly evident in every epic he creates.

  Although the movie places a strong emphasis on entertaining the younger crowd, several subtle messages are placed in various points throughout the film. One example would be that of the character No Face who offers those in the bathhouse with gold. We later find that No Face is actuality a monster who eats other spirits. I believe this is representative of opportunities that are too good to be true. If you're not careful they'll take you down with them. Also, Kamaji, the boiler room man, at first tries to dissuade Chihiro from getting a job by proclaiming that there are none left. However, we find that Chihiro's adherent persistence eventually gets her a job. And perhaps the most evident is that of Chihiro signing away her name to the witch Yubaba for a job. Yubaba gives her the name Sen, and as we work our way through the film we find that Chihiro begins to forget her old name until she is helped by Haku. In this way symbolizing the thought that we must never forget who we are, regardless of circumstance.

  With this movie Hayao Miyazaki has again teamed up with famous Japanese composer Joe Hisaishi. Hisaishi does a great job at articulating screen to sheet; every note resonates with the essence of the movie. I heartily believe that the movie could not have reached its full potential without the musical direction of Mr. Hisaishi.

  This is an excellent DVD set worthy of any cinematic collection that strives for greatness. By far this is the best-marketed and extra-featured DVD that any of Miyazaki's movies have enjoyed in the states.

  But perhaps the most enjoyable feature is the Nippon Television Special - The Making of The Film (Spirited Away) on the bonus disc. The television special shows the inner workings of the Studio Ghibli animation company. The Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound gives a more lifelike feel to the film, and the included original Japanese language track is always on the checklist for hardcore anime fans.

  The only downside of the DVD set is the "Spirited Away" introduction by John Lasseter at the beginning of the movie. Disney's last hope in taking some credit for Hayao Miyazaki's work. Ah, but I digress the movie speaks for more than itself and is one of the finer things in life that make it so enjoyable.

  Miyazaki San, you never cease to amaze . . .
  
  

• A remarkable journey
  By A2EGK0YRDF4ZZB on 2003-02-12
  I saw �Spirited Away� two times in Spain (in Spanish, naturally), and it has become my absolute favourite of all of Hayao Miyazaki�s films. Miyazaki is, for me, the epitome of Japanese animation and the undisputed master of his craft. He fills the screen with minute details, doing most of the painstaking animation by hand in an age of computer animation (see Disney). His films are always unique both in visual style and in plot, expressing lost mythologies, alternate worlds, and the spirits that surround us. In Japan anime is not only for children, a concept which Western audiences have difficulty understanding. These are more than mere cartoons; they are explorations of self, nature, and in some ways Japanese society (there are frequently Japanese elements in many of Miyazaki�s films although most are set in fictitious places).

  �Spirited Away� tells the lovely story of Chihiro, a ten-year-old Japanese girl that is moving to a new town. Along the way the family stops to explore a mysterious tunnel that turns out to be a pathway into an alternate world filled with gods, witches and strange creatures. Chihiro�s parents are transformed into large pigs as punishment for their gluttony (there are frequently morals in Miyazaki�s tales as well), and Chihiro begins work for the witch Yubaba while desperately trying to find a cure for her parents before they are eaten (!). She befriends Haku, a mysterious boy whom she feels some past connection to, and together the two attempt to overthrow the tyrannical reign of Yubaba.

  A gorgeous film, with a beautiful soundtrack by frequent Miyazai collaborator Joe Hisaishi (�Princess Mononoke,� �Kiki�s Delivery Service,� �Totoro�). There are some elements that may be disturbing to very young children (the threat of Chihiro�s parents being eaten even as a pig�s head is shown at a feast, several scary rampages, some blood), but overall this is an excellent, quality film that is a feast for the eyes, ears, and imagination, and a true journey of the spirit.
  
  

• One of the best movies ever made, period.
  By A23J9F2KVP8XF4 on 2003-03-06
  I loved this movie, and I think you will too. This movie stands on it's own against even the best American blockbusters. This movie is not just for Anime buffs. In fact, I have yet to meet anyone who saw this movie and didn't like it.

  The plot of this movie is simple, it's about a young girl brought to a mystical land and her journey there. However, the beauty of this movie is not in the plot, its in how this plot is brought to life through the characters and scenes of this movie. Each scene is skillfully crafted and filled with emotion. The detail is simply amazing.

  The only tripping point about this movie, perhaps it's only flaw - but even then not significant - is it lack of explanations. This world in which the girl, named Chihiro, enters is never really explained in the story. This isn't a bad thing though, once your swept up in the world it won't really matter why it is there. In fact any explanation of the world might have ruined the story. It's suppose to be foreign and mysterious.

  If you love cinema, you owe it to yourself to check this movie out.
  
  

• The Best Movie of 2002
  By A3MQQS40FK2QAQ on 2003-04-22
  In 2000 I was introduced to the world of Hayao Miyazaki when "Princess Mononoke" made its debut on DVD. That movie was so incredible I chose it as the best film of 1999. (I missed it in theaters when it was playing during its Christmas run). After that, I watched every Miyazaki movie available on video. I never thought he could possibly make a better film than PRINCESS MONONOKE, but he has done it with SPIRITED AWAY, It's the best movie of 2002.

  Why did I choose this movie as the best film for that year? Why not? Remember in 1992 Disney's "Beauty & The Beast" was nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards, the only time that has ever happened. And since then, Disney has learned what the Japanese have known for decades: Animation isn't just kiddie entertainment. It is a serious art form. It can make your imagination soar, and show you things that are impossible for any live action movie. Both of those things are done with every Hayao Miyazaki movie, but SPIRITED AWAY, like PRINCESS MONONOKE does something else. It has a combination of a powerful story, characters that I really care about, and all these astonishing eye-popping visual scenes that caused me to completely forget I'm watching the movie. I truly felt like I was IN the movie. That's my annual requirement for the best film of the year.

  Those visual images I cannot describe without spoiling the movie for you. I also cannot give you any background of the story. I began watching this film without any real knowledge of the story except for this. A little girl finds herself in a world like "The Wizard of Oz", and "Alice in Wonderland". Period. That's all I knew, and that's all I will tell you about it.

  I have seen and own six of Hayao Miyazaki's movies. THE CASTLE OF CAGLIOSTRO(1980) is a hilarious action comedy that also introduced me to the world of Monkey Punch's Lupin the 3rd. CASTLE IN THE SKY (1986) was just released and is also a visual wonder. (It is clearly an influence on the animators of Disney's "Atlantis") MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO 1988) is one of the all time greatest children's movies available and one of the best films I ever saw. (As a video clerk it is one film I'm constantly recommending for parents with very young children.) KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE (1989) is an entertaining and terrific family film. And PRINCESS MONONOKE (1997) I've already talked about. The best film of 1999 (when it came out in America) Now SPIRITED AWAY (2002). No wonder Hayao Miyazaki is an animation god at the Disney studio. He has claimed he made this movie for 10 year old children. That may be the youngest age limit for the audience, (It's PG rating is appropriate, because some scenes may scare the littlest ones.) but the audience is far bigger than that.

  SPIRITED AWAY didn't do anywhere near the business it did in Japan: The biggest hit of all time in that country. And I bet it was one of the biggest hits in countries all over the world before and after its American release. It would never have come here had it not been for Pixar's John Lasseter. And I hope that he will continue to bring other Miyazaki films to the US that were never brought here, including NAUSICAA IN THE VALLEY OF THE WINDS (1984), (a movie that is considered to be one of his greatest films, but was practically destroyed in a severely edited version in 1985), and PORCO ROSSO(1992) Both of those films and any future Miyazaki movies should be brought to American films. We haven't seen anywhere near enough of this animation master's work.

  Disney has done a wonderful job in bringing this movie to DVD. Like PRINCESS MONONOKE, it is a film that demonstrates the sharpness and attention to detail that DVD can bring you. And the sound is actually better in SPIRITED AWAY than the other film. PRINCESS MONONOKE had a rather muffled English version. It was good, but the Japanese version sounded more dynamic. The English version of SPIRITED AWAY is so good in sound quality that the Japanese version is only slightly better. Thus, I found I could enjoy both versions equally. Only small changes were made to the dialogue, and none to the images.

  If this review has made you interested in seeing SPIRITED AWAY, that's great. And believe me, don't refuse to see it just because you hate animated films. If you are someone who hates this genre you're probably watching the wrong animation. Check out SPIRITED AWAY, then see all the other Miyazaki movies I've mentioned.

  (note) A splendid book about Hayao Miyazaki is available by Helen McCarthy: HAYAO MIYAZAKI, THE MASTER OF JAPANESE ANIMATION.
  
  

• Princess Mononoke
• Howl's Moving Castle
• My Neighbor Totoro
• Castle in the Sky
• Kiki's Delivery Service