It's rather ironic that I write this review, one day after seeing 'The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring'. Contrary to some other films I've reviewed, tonight was the first time I've ever watched 'Princess Mononoke'. It's made by, in my opinion, one of the finest companies there is - the legendary Studio Ghibli. This studio is responsible for some of my all-time favourite films, including 'The Cat Returns' and 'Pom Poko', which probably rank as my two favourites. 'Princess Mononoke' is quite similar to 'The Lord Of The Rings' in some respects. Okay, so it doesn't involve orcs, urukhai, ringwraiths, wizards, hobbits or giant eyes wreathed in fire, but it does offer a war between species, a stunningly beautiful selection of landscapes (despite being animated) and a lovely soundtrack reminiscent of Peter Jackson's licensed children.
I gave 'The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring' a very respectable five out of five, and the film is still fresh in my mind. Taking this into account, one would assume that such a similar film would prove underwhelming. However, I didn't regard Studio Ghibli as one of my favourite companies for nothing. I'm no stranger to the magic Ghibli's employees are capable of working, and Hayao Miyazaki has produced a very adequate chapter in animation (not that we see much of it).
Studio Ghibli has a range of extraordinarily talented people working for it, and this is evident at all times in 'Princess Mononoke'. A blend of hand-drawn and computer animation is incorporated in this film, and these different styles compliment each other greatly. For example, Ashitaka (the main protagonist) is hand-drawn, while the demon snakes which possess him are created with three-dimensional rendering. They are composited together and are very admirable.
Animation is not the only perfection hiding inside the studio. The voice-actors in 'Princess Mononoke' portray their characters very impressively, and they suit these characters well. Music and sound effects are affective and add to the film's quality. The storyline is particularly complex, but you'd understand it if you watched the film. It is clearly very imaginative in places, what with demonic serpents and other fictitious creatures making grand appearances.
Hayao Miyazaki is not like some directors, and allows his characters to feel pain, to come to harm and to generally just feel like suicidal emos. One has to admire how he captures this feeling of war - it's not 'good guys beat bad guys', because there are three sides here, and none are specifically good or bad (except perhaps the daimyos, who are, of course, bad). However, while Miyazaki is willing to hurt his characters, it it pitiful that these characters don't have the same loving charm you'll find in Pixar or older Disney films. You won't feel emotional towards the characters. They're likable roles, but they don't really touch you like the animals of 'The Jungle Book', or the many sub-organisms present in the 'Pixar Short Films Collection'.
'Princess Mononoke' is the very description of an action adventure, minus the emotional characters. From the moment you enter the digital video disc, Ashitaka is seen riding on his red elk Yakul, galloping towards what will be the very first (and a very important) battle in the film. When this encounter is concluded, and after a very brief pause, Ashitaka takes off again, to a more distant and dangerous fight. He meets mystery, curiosity and gore, mostly with hate. Action adventure is consistent in this film, and on the rare occasion it is stopped, the conversation is interesting enough to hold your interest.
'Princess Mononoke' is a grand film, and this isn't just me being a Ghibli fanboy. 'Princess Mononoke' not only ranks as one of my favourite Studio Ghibli films, but also one of my favourite films of all time. If you can bring yourself to admit you haven't witnessed perfection in one of its finest incarnations, then you clearly haven't watched 'Princess Mononoke', and therefore haven't lived.
Five Out Of Five.
I gave 'The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring' a very respectable five out of five, and the film is still fresh in my mind. Taking this into account, one would assume that such a similar film would prove underwhelming. However, I didn't regard Studio Ghibli as one of my favourite companies for nothing. I'm no stranger to the magic Ghibli's employees are capable of working, and Hayao Miyazaki has produced a very adequate chapter in animation (not that we see much of it).
Studio Ghibli has a range of extraordinarily talented people working for it, and this is evident at all times in 'Princess Mononoke'. A blend of hand-drawn and computer animation is incorporated in this film, and these different styles compliment each other greatly. For example, Ashitaka (the main protagonist) is hand-drawn, while the demon snakes which possess him are created with three-dimensional rendering. They are composited together and are very admirable.
Animation is not the only perfection hiding inside the studio. The voice-actors in 'Princess Mononoke' portray their characters very impressively, and they suit these characters well. Music and sound effects are affective and add to the film's quality. The storyline is particularly complex, but you'd understand it if you watched the film. It is clearly very imaginative in places, what with demonic serpents and other fictitious creatures making grand appearances.
Hayao Miyazaki is not like some directors, and allows his characters to feel pain, to come to harm and to generally just feel like suicidal emos. One has to admire how he captures this feeling of war - it's not 'good guys beat bad guys', because there are three sides here, and none are specifically good or bad (except perhaps the daimyos, who are, of course, bad). However, while Miyazaki is willing to hurt his characters, it it pitiful that these characters don't have the same loving charm you'll find in Pixar or older Disney films. You won't feel emotional towards the characters. They're likable roles, but they don't really touch you like the animals of 'The Jungle Book', or the many sub-organisms present in the 'Pixar Short Films Collection'.
'Princess Mononoke' is the very description of an action adventure, minus the emotional characters. From the moment you enter the digital video disc, Ashitaka is seen riding on his red elk Yakul, galloping towards what will be the very first (and a very important) battle in the film. When this encounter is concluded, and after a very brief pause, Ashitaka takes off again, to a more distant and dangerous fight. He meets mystery, curiosity and gore, mostly with hate. Action adventure is consistent in this film, and on the rare occasion it is stopped, the conversation is interesting enough to hold your interest.
'Princess Mononoke' is a grand film, and this isn't just me being a Ghibli fanboy. 'Princess Mononoke' not only ranks as one of my favourite Studio Ghibli films, but also one of my favourite films of all time. If you can bring yourself to admit you haven't witnessed perfection in one of its finest incarnations, then you clearly haven't watched 'Princess Mononoke', and therefore haven't lived.
Five Out Of Five.
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