Title: Princess Mononoke

Format Reviewed: DVD
Viewer Ratings:

• Violence: 3.5
• Nudity: 1
• Maturity: 3
• Sexuality: 1

• Comedy: 1.5
• Action: 3.5
• Drama: 3
• Romance: 2.5
• Adventure: 3.5

• Animation - Character: 4
• Animation - Background: 4.5
• Plot: 4.5
• Sound: 4.5
• Recording: 4.5
• Extras: 3

Prince Ashitaka struggles to find the balance between nature and progress in a land where demons and spirits still represent the will of the land. Lady Eboshi - a war-hardened but caring and progressive ruler - and Princess Mononoke - an orphan raised by Wolf gods - represent the two extremes he needs to reconcile.

Family, Historical, Magic

Princess Mononoke easily outsold all other films released in Japan at the time of its release (it has since been surpassed by Titanic). Miyazaki reached a much more mature audience with this film than with his previous outings; unfortunately, this detracted from Disney's release plans in the US, and sales at the box office were poor. Despite this, the DVD release is very nice. Miyazaki returns to his environmental themes, almost reprising Naussicaa. Not recommended for children without a parent watching with them, unlike most other Miyazaki films.

The translated dialog (by Neil Gaiman) is somewhat stilted by awkward translations. Not that I blame Gaiman - the subject matter is a bit arcane and does not lend itself to precise terms which would make sense to an English audience.

Once again, Disney shows it is willing to fork over the cash for top-notch voice-actors. Miyazaki's backgrounds are, as always, stunning, and this time he seems to have spent more effort on character animation as well, though they are still very much drawn in his style.