Movie 112 Princess Mononoke

I finally got around to watching Movie 112 on IMDB.com's top 250. I started at 112 because everything from 77-112 are all rated 8.3, and I felt that they should all count as 77, like when people are tied for a position. I do not care if you like that logic or not, because that is what im doing.

For starters I was slightly surprised to find this anime on the list. There is also another from the same director/writer Hayao Miyazaki, named Spirited away. It is much higher on the list at 49. I mainly find this surprising because for all of our love of Disney films, both animated and computer animated, most people have this baseless distaste for anime. I guess they think of Pokemon, or they know some of the "anime" crowd and how different they seem to be, like what they watch made them be different not just having different points of view to begin with. The easiest way to watch any of the Miyazaki films, is to watch them like you would watch most dramas. This is not a cartoon, this is a movie. If the characters happen to be cutesy, it is not because it is supposed to be lighthearted, it is just the style. Lastly, at least with this anime, any humor that appears is supposed to make you quietly chuckle at most, there is no "lols" with this animated film.

I have watched several of his other works and they are very very good movies. Clear story to be told, strong main characters, and a morally good resolution for even some of the more dark characters in the film. I watched the English dubbed version, which includes the voice work of Billy Bob Thorton, Claire Danes, Gillian Anderson, Billy Crudup, and Keith David. To most anime purists, both you and i know who you are, would say that dubbed versions of these films are heinous. If its bad and cheesy, like a lot of the lower budget/smaller market shows that come over, I might agree, but a movie like this with the production that is put into it, the English dubbing actually comes off quite natural and well done.

As with most movies, the music helps really set the mood for the viewer, and this movie does not disappoint. It gives you both the older, rural Japanese feel, as well as setting the tension for the events throughout the film. If you heard the music on its own, you would be able to clearly tell that it was asian in nature and it could stand as its own work.

The pacing to the movie is, ok. It comes in at a little longer than two hours, so not on the short side, and it lulls a little bit in the middle like most films, but it definitely helps round out the characters relationships that ultimately determine their actions at the climax of the movie.

The quality of the animation is superb, and it will not leave you with wanting anything more from the visual standpoint. Miyazaki's films all provide a surreal experience at times, giving you visuals that are definitely stretching the imagination, trying to show a larger picture than what is happening right here right now. Also using animation lets them show you everything in extreme ways if need be, which for reasons of blood and gore, I would definitely give a warning to parents with very little kids.

Overall, while I find the underlying theme of nature conservation, that can be found in many anime titles including Nausicaa, also of Miyazaki, and Vexille, a little overplayed, it tells a good story about doing the right thing no matter the cost, and showing what good deeds can do, even for those who seem wicked at heart. I enjoyed the film and am looking forward to the next anime on the list.

Final rating: 4.2 or two thumbs up, or whatever, just go watch it yourself because you will probably enjoy it.

Next movie: #111 Batman Begins until then,
I'm just sayin...