This epic, animated 1997 fantasy has already made history as the top-grossing domestic feature ever released in Japan, where its combination of mythic themes, mystical forces, and ravishing visuals tapped deeply into cultural identity and contemporary, ecological anxieties. For international animation and anime fans, Princess Mononoke represents an auspicious next step for its revered creator, Hayao Miyazaki (My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service), an acknowledged anime pioneer, whose painterly style, vivid character design, and stylized approach to storytelling take ambitious, evolutionary steps here.

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

Customer Rating:
Summary: Hayao Miyazaki is so amazing
Comment: Another interesting movie from Hayao Miyazaki. This story is about what hatred can do to your soul and how your attitude affects you and those around you. It encourages cooperation and although everyone doesn't live happily ever after, ends with a satisfying conclusion. These movies always contain some moral or cultural message for viewers. My kids are 12 and 16 and they want to collect everything Miyazaki has done. Others they enjoy: Kiki's Delivery Service, Castle In the Sky, Spirited Away, Porco Rosso, My Neighbor Totoro, Howl's Moving Castle. I'm so glad Disney has become involved in getting these films out to the masses.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Frickin' Sweet
Comment: This movie is amazing! Everything about this movie is great, though I must admit it can be gory at times. One of my favorites.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: excellent
Comment: This movie was beautifully made as a whole. I found the plot to be fantastic and it stuck with me for awhile as I contemplated my own actions. Isn't that what a good story does? As with another reviewer, this was not what I expected to see by the title, which turns out to not be a problem with the beautiful artwork/graphics and a storyline that hooks you deep.

This movie was good enough to even hook my mother, whom showed up as it started. She does not like anime in the least and is never quiet when watching any movie. This one kept her silent until the end and all she said was "Wow, that was really good." Enough said.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Princess Mononoke
Comment: Everyone should be able to view Hayao Miyazaki animation. This film is no exception. You must see these films more than once. Put the setup in Japanese and English subtitles to get a better effect. Watch the films once for the story and then for the background animation. Superb!!!!

I can't wait for Studio Ghibli's next film to come to the U.S.. It is currently showing in Japan.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Great movie!
Comment: Very good movie i recommend anyone to buy it whether your a fan of Anime or not. Also thanks to amazon on a very speedy delivery. VERY SATISFIED!!!

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