Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi:
Story & Writing:
Spirited Away exhibits the surreal power to transport the viewer into a dreamlike stupor, to yank them into a fairy tale world where age is an afterthought and logic is trite. The only thing that really matters is the childlike wonder and excitement that envelops anyone who sets foot into Spirited Away's world. The last Miyazaki movie I've seen do this was Howl's Moving Castle, but there is no comparing the magical power of Howl to Spirited Away; the latter spectacularly trumps the former.
Spirited Away's story is nothing complex nor guttural; it's very simple but in the best of ways and for the best of reasons. After all, how can you feel like a kid again if the adventure you're following is as convoluted as Star Wars? The story is just the straight main path. It's the detours you take and acquaintances you meet along the way that adds color to your world. And fucked if Spirited Away is short on detours and sights to see.
The writing, as always for a Miyazaki film, is multi-layered and packed with detail. A child will understand 60% and still enjoy it, but an actively thinking adult will understand 100% and enjoy it even more. The dialogue may feel compact and simplistic at times, but that's not the only device through which the story is told; the characters' facial expressions, body movements, hand gestures, clothing, etc, etc, each tell a story of their own, and I feel as if only an adult, who has seen their fair share of human expressions and emotions, can truly pick up on the nuances that Spirited Away's myriad of storytelling devices offer.
[Spoiler paragraph:
My #1 favorite little detail lies at the end of the film: Chihiro's hairband glistens inconspicuously as she turns and look back one last time at the tunnel. This subtle light effect draws attention to her hairband, proving to the viewer that her journey was entirely real, and that maybe her journey will continue to live on and be "real" in the viewer's heart until the end of time.
End of spoiler paragraph]
Art:
It's insane to even think that this entire movie is hand drawn and traditionally animated - there is not a lick of CG to be found. The staff's passions and emotions ooze from every single frame of animation and hand-painted background to appear during the movie's 2 hours. Spirited Away is an incredible passion project, and deserves to be called a masterpiece in every respect, rightfully lauded for its impeccable art design, aesthetic, and animation.
Sound:
The trademark Studio Ghibli orchestrated tracks and piano tracks are all amazing; they fit every scene and underscores emotions like no other.
Enjoyment:
10/10
Overall:
10/10
I was glued to my seat, completely engrossed from start to finish. Watch it. It's an experience of a lifetime.
Story & Writing:
Spirited Away exhibits the surreal power to transport the viewer into a dreamlike stupor, to yank them into a fairy tale world where age is an afterthought and logic is trite. The only thing that really matters is the childlike wonder and excitement that envelops anyone who sets foot into Spirited Away's world. The last Miyazaki movie I've seen do this was Howl's Moving Castle, but there is no comparing the magical power of Howl to Spirited Away; the latter spectacularly trumps the former.
Spirited Away's story is nothing complex nor guttural; it's very simple but in the best of ways and for the best of reasons. After all, how can you feel like a kid again if the adventure you're following is as convoluted as Star Wars? The story is just the straight main path. It's the detours you take and acquaintances you meet along the way that adds color to your world. And fucked if Spirited Away is short on detours and sights to see.
The writing, as always for a Miyazaki film, is multi-layered and packed with detail. A child will understand 60% and still enjoy it, but an actively thinking adult will understand 100% and enjoy it even more. The dialogue may feel compact and simplistic at times, but that's not the only device through which the story is told; the characters' facial expressions, body movements, hand gestures, clothing, etc, etc, each tell a story of their own, and I feel as if only an adult, who has seen their fair share of human expressions and emotions, can truly pick up on the nuances that Spirited Away's myriad of storytelling devices offer.
[Spoiler paragraph:
My #1 favorite little detail lies at the end of the film: Chihiro's hairband glistens inconspicuously as she turns and look back one last time at the tunnel. This subtle light effect draws attention to her hairband, proving to the viewer that her journey was entirely real, and that maybe her journey will continue to live on and be "real" in the viewer's heart until the end of time.
End of spoiler paragraph]
Art:
It's insane to even think that this entire movie is hand drawn and traditionally animated - there is not a lick of CG to be found. The staff's passions and emotions ooze from every single frame of animation and hand-painted background to appear during the movie's 2 hours. Spirited Away is an incredible passion project, and deserves to be called a masterpiece in every respect, rightfully lauded for its impeccable art design, aesthetic, and animation.
Sound:
The trademark Studio Ghibli orchestrated tracks and piano tracks are all amazing; they fit every scene and underscores emotions like no other.
Enjoyment:
10/10
Overall:
10/10
I was glued to my seat, completely engrossed from start to finish. Watch it. It's an experience of a lifetime.
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