Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli

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Spirited Away returns to theaters via GKIDS and Fathom Events next month!

http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2 ... bli-shorts

Dubbed on Dec.4 and subbed on Dec. 5!

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Saw Spirited Away today (btw - one more date has been added: the 8th). Fantastic, and before the film they advertised they were doing the same thing for Princess Mononoke this January!

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^Seriously?! Awesome!! I'm seeing Spirited Away tonight. It will be my first anime film on the big screen!

[Rody]

That was phenomenal; I don't exaggerate when I say Spirited Away may be my favorite movie experience this year. I've seen it twice before, but in the theater if felt like the very first. There's just so much detail to take in - environmental and even thematic - that you don't get from a mere home video TV viewing.

One of the very first things that popped out to me this time was how Chihiro, as fussy and grumpy and timid as she was, actually benefited from behaving so childishly: she's on guard when her parents blindly blunder into the town, giving her an advantage to recognize the oncoming danger. This contrast between childhood and adulthood perspectives comes into play again when No Face starts spontaneously generating gold, attracting the attention of all the bath house's servants, only for Chihiro to decline No Face's offer. The gold has no value to her. Even though we see Chihiro grow up in a sense, becoming braver and more responsible over the course of the film, it's apparent that her perspective as a child may be just as important as her developing strengths like an adult.


After the main feature was "Ghiblies, episode 2", which had two main vignettes plus a couple other segments. There was a lot of experimentation going on in this short feature, presenting comedy, soft drama, and plain weirdness over a variety of art styles. It was a delightful bonus, and a remarkable experience coming on the tail-end of a Miyazaki film.

I can't wait for Princess Mononoke!!

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^For all of his films' visual splendor they wouldn't be what they are without Miyazaki's keen observation of human beings. Characters that only have a few scenes and lines can feel entirely flushed out. A great thing in Spirited Away is how many of the characters are putting up a front to seem tough, like Lin complaining about being saddled with Chihiro only for her demeanor to change and be friendly with her as soon as they leave the presence of the group. This connects to a common theme in Miyazaki's movies; where someone who initially seems something of a broad caricature or type is actually just playing up the part for whatever reason and has a character of a different nature underneath.

I read that they'll be showing the 'On Your Mark' music video directed by Miyazaki as the extra feature for the Mononoke showing!

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YouTube:

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I sadly discovered today that the Princess Mononoke screening this week is apparently more limited than the one for Spirited Away; it isn't playing anywhere near me!

They're leaving money on the table, though: Spirited Away was a packed house filled with tons of No Face t-shirts and Totoro hoodies.

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I forgot to post my thoughts on the Princess Mononoke screening last month.

In a nutshell, it was awesome. I'm tempted to say Spirited Away is a better film, but the aesthetics of Mononoke - big fantasy epic with monsters, etc - appeal to me even more. Once again I came away loving the film even more than I did previously. It's a pretty melancholy film, though - hatred seems to be the main theme of this film, and its repercussions infect everyone throughout the story. There isn't really any true villain, though; the first time I saw this film, I couldn't help thinking that James Cameron could only dream of telling a "man vs nature" story this good (although that's really not what this film's about at all). The closest thing to a villain is the emperor, and his presence is more ethereal than directly tangible. Everyone front & center of this film is doing everything they can just to look out for their own - which is all most anyone can do, frankly - and sadly, that puts some beings at odds with others. Miyazaki doesn't give an easy ending to the story - yes, there is some resolution, but both men and beasts have a ways to go as they rebuild.

...And with all of that going on, the saddest thing of all is we never hear of Ashitaka's home again. Did he just leave them for good?? Are they doomed to die out, or what?!? There's a lot of tragedy to this movie, hiding just below the surface. Somehow, that makes it more compelling, I think, but- Aaaauuugh!

I was reminded once again how much I love Joe Hisaishi's work - his score for the film is downright thrilling. Am I just watching the wrong American media, or are Japan's (anime) composers WAY better than ours?? I mean, they have Hisaishi, Shiro Sagisu, Hiroyuki Sawano, Michiru Oshima... It's almost unfair.
I want to hear him do a kaiju movie score.

Overall, it was another amazing theatrical experience. I think it was my first viewing of Princess Mononoke, on my own TV screen, which first brought out my true admiration for anime; this viewing has certainly cemented it further. Miyazaki has left a magnificent film legacy.


Oh, the 'On Your Mark' music video! Right off the bat there's some tonal dissonance between the almost upbeat-sounding lyrics and the violent scenery, but ultimately the video tells a heartwarming (and surprisingly funny) sci-fi/fantasy stroy about two soldiers who help a winged girl escape from custody and on to freedom. It's a delightful video.

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^ Rub salt in the wound, why dontcha'?!

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Sorry!!!

I still have a few Ghibli films to hunt down and see, but I think I've seen all of Miyazaki's. Man, I want that Collected Works Blu-ray set...

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^It's a great set, and it has accurate subs (the single releases for Castle in the Sky, Kiki, and Mononoke have dubtitles).

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Alternatively, I should probably look into some of those Hong Kong releases you've mentioned before. I'm doubting the Collected Works is going to get cheaper anytime soon.

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^Sure, they're fine: but the HK releases don't include the English dubs if that's a dealbreaker for ya.

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NAUSICAA: Sowing The Seeds Of Studio Ghibli
How the pre-Ghibli masterpiece NAUSICAA: VALLEY OF THE WIND pollinated the Miyazaki trademarks.
Nausicaa: Valley of the Wind is playing select Drafthouse theaters Sunday, February 19.

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^ I enjoy the fact that now that Devin is gone from the site (guy had some weird hangups with animation) we're getting some nice Ghibli coverage from BMD.

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^Yeah.

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"People keep asking if I'm back, and I haven't really had an answer, but now, yeah; I'm thinkin' I'm back."

- Hayao Miyazaki

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by Roger Ebert
September 12, 2002

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