Spirited Away.

Review #1111: Spirited Away.

Cast: 
Rumi Hiiragi (Chihiro Ogino / Sen), Miyu Irino (Haku), Mari Natsuki (Yubaba / Zeniba), Bunta Sugawara (Kamajî), Takashi Naitô (Akio Ogino), Yasuko Sawaguchi (Yûko Ogino), Akio Nakamura (No-Face), Tatsuya Gashûin (Aogaeru), Ryûnosuke Kamiki (Bô), Yumi Tamai (Rin), Yô Ôizumi (Bandai-gaeru), Koba Hayashi (Kawa no Kami), Tsunehiko Kamijô (Chichiyaku), and Takehiko Ono (Aniyaku) Directed by Hayao Miyazaki.

Review: 
It is amazing to note that this film was released only seventeen years ago - July 20, 2001, in fact. There is a certain pride that one can have when watching something as entertaining as this - especially when this is the first Japanese animated film you've seen, made by famed director Hayao Miyazaki, who had done seven other films prior to this such as Princess Mononoke (1997). There is a certain depth and magic one can see in each scene, a certain beauty to how things are drawn but also to how things are played out in its tone and movement. With world cinema, there can be a great enjoyment in seeing how a movie plays itself out through the eyes of people in countries different from one's own, with animation being an outlet for great imagination that anyone can enjoy when done with the right hands, as is the case here. It may interest you to know that the film was made without a finished script; Miyazaki described his process in an interview in 2002 in that the story develops when he starts drawing storyboards (with production starting soon after), adding that "We never know where the story will go but we just keep working on the film as it develops", which certainly makes for an interesting manner to showcase the vision of a creator on screen - which I can respect, obviously. There are numerous scenes I could highlight, but one that I particularly appreciate is the one involving a stink spirit, which has a few laughs but it also resonates well due to where it ultimately plays out - where it actually is a river spirit filled with a bunch of junk. Another interesting scene that I like is the one involving Hiiragi and Nakamura's characters are traveling by train near the end of the film, and there is just something the silent nature of how it plays out that makes it more absorbing than if it had been shown as frentic or with unnecessary noise. There is a Japansese word for such negative space depicted by Miyazaki that applies for this scene - ma, where the emptiness is done intentionally that this film uses to take a moment to absorb itself and the figures that encompass the vessel that the character inhabit to their respective destinations.

A movie as striking to watch play out on screen must have a good cast of voices to carry it through, and this one is successful with its row of actors, particularly from Hiiragi. She plays the main role with the kind of grace and care that you would expect from a young hero that is always watchable and always one to root for. Irino does a fine job as well, using his time on screen to make someone worth following without detracting from the experience the film wants to show with its main character. Natsuki stands out well in her role as twin sisters, conveying noticeable differences and quirks that make for a riveting showcase whenever either role is on screen. Other highlights include Sugawara and Nakamura, both of which being interesting people to follow with their time on screen in a film that basks in fantasy such as this. One year later, an North America release came out, under the supervision of John Lasseter for an English language translation, featuring voice actors such as Daveigh Chase in the lead role and others such as Suzanne Pleshette (in her last film appearance). Subsequently, the movie won an Academy Award (among several other awards) for Best Animated Feature. Whichever version you see, it is evident that Spirited Away is a great piece of cinema that I highly recommend for everyone. There really isn't anything like it, and the vision showcased on screen is one that proves to be great entertainment - whether for kids or adults. I'll end with a quote from Miyazaki about his intent for the film, and let you ponder if he succeeded with that goal: "I wanted to make a movie especially for the daughters of my friends. I opened all the drawers in my head they were all empty. So I realized I had to make a movie just for 10 year olds, and 'Spirited Away' is my answer."

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.