I have seen Mononoke Hime, but I didn't understand a word since I did not have a copy with subtitles, but I can say that it did embody some of the best animation work I've seen from Miyazaki (of course that's with me only having seen PORCO ROSSO (which I loved), KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE, LAPUTA and NAUSICAA. I still haven't seen TOTORO, which is a huge hole in my Miyazaki education as I understand it. His framing, use of music and attention to the smallest of details of life speak volumes about his powers of observation. Personally I am eager as can be to see a great subtitled version of this projected... and I am excited about the Gaiman scripted dub coming this October from Miramax!
Hi there Harry!
This is Sir Moggy from Stay Tooned (http://www.staytooned.com) with a review of Hayao Miyazaki's "Mononoke Hime." I read your reviews of "Tarzan" and "Iron Giant," but I couldn't help but notice a number of postings about "Mononoke Hime" in your talkback. People were demanding coverage of this film.
As you probably know, Miyazaki's "Mononoke Hime" is being re-released with an English dub in theatres October 29th under the title "Princess Mononoke." Although this film has already been released, I think you'll do your fans justice by posting my review of this film. I'd say most Americans have never seen this film. Also, it seems as though a lot of American's are unhappy with the state of feature animation. ('Iron Giant' seems to be different by your rave review, however). "Princess Mononoke" is the solution. I've also supplemented the review with a couple of images so that your readers will be able to visualize the film.
I'd like to add that after viewing "Mononoke Hime," I've watched every Miyazaki film except "Porco Rosso." Between "Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind" to "My Neighbor Totoro" to "Laputa," I'd say I'm hooked.
Let me just say out front that I reviewed this film off a pure Japanese copy. I watched the film five times, then came across a word for word script. I watched it again, then wrote the following analyzation.
In its most rarest occasions, a film will touch your heart with such utter beauty and enlightenment that only silent emotions are evoked. "Mononoke Hime" is exactly that type of film. In a world of endless imagination and fantasy, director Hayao Miyazaki has composed a painting of nature's spirit in unthinkable depths. The examination of man and nature's place in the universe is the underlying theme and whether or not good and evil are simply subjective ideas. I've watched this film about half a dozen times and I've come to the conclusion that it is probably better than any animated film ever made. The film is executed with exact precision: the animation, the score, the characters, the storyline, the cinematography ... everything. At times, "Mononoke Hime" is more than an animated feature, it is an absolute of art and film composition.
"Mononoke Hime" was released in Japan on June 12th, 1997. It soon became the largest grossing film in Japanese history at about $150 million, only to be surpassed by "Titanic" a year later. Not only was the film large in box office draws, but it was also the most expensive Japanese animated film ever made: estimated at 2.4 billion yen (about $20 million). Although these statistics don't seem to rank up to American standards when considering an epic film, "Mononoke Hime" cost twice as much as Japan's "Akira." Timing in at about 133 minutes, "Mononoke Hime" uses some 144,000 cels and although it is predominantly composed of traditional animation, it does incorporate its share of computer graphic techniques. Roughly 15 minutes of CG were used in the film, 10 minutes of which, were for digital painting. The remaining utilized digital composition and computer generated images. Hayao Miyazaki, who is considered the Walt Disney of Japan (although that is quite a misnomer), is credited for the original story, screenplay, and direction of the film, as well as the supervision of 80,000 key cels! Miyazaki, who works at Japan's foremost animation studio, Studio Ghibli, has some of the industry's most talented workers on the project. People like Masahi Ando, Kitaro Kosaka, Yoshifumi Kondo, Satoshi Kuroda, Nizou Yamamoto, and many others, all helped to create a visually stunning feature. As an example of Miyazaki's influence in the animation industry, Pixar's John Lasseter once said that the works of Miyazaki are "the most inspirational films" for him and his own movies.
"Mononoke Hime" is set amidst the Muromachi Era of Japan, around the time of the War of Onin (1467-1477); a pivotal time in history in which the modern world has begun to suppress the eroding medieval era. The human population had been increasing drastically and in turn the production of iron and higher advancements in civilization became a thing of demand. Virgin forests were being cut down into land and supplies for the humans, but the destruction left nature at war with civilization. It's interesting to note that Miyazaki chose this period of time mainly because he sees this same sort of revolution happening in this day of age.
The story unfolds during a period of tension between the humans and nature. Deep within the remaining forests, lies the habitation of many animal Gods (mountain dogs, deer, boars) and mystical creatures; the Gods of whom can understand the human language. The protagonist, Ashitaka (voiced by Matsuda Youji), a young Emishi boy who was born into a Royal family had been living in a hidden mountain village in the northeast region after his people had been driven away by the Yamato government. Ashitaka is infected by an incurable disease by a possessed boar God who had turned into a Tatari Gami (Curse God). His only hope of survival is to travel to the far reaches of the West where he may find a cure. Ashitaka finds himself amidst a fierce battle where he struggles to find a path of coexistence between the animal inhabitants of the forest and an iron mining town that is exploiting and killing the forest. The leader of the human society is Lady Eboshi, who runs the iron production mill that is also called Tatara Ba. On the side of the animals is San (the Mononoke Hime - spirit/monster/ghost princess), a human girl who was brought up by a wolf God named Moro. The film also introduces a number of mystical characters such as the kodama (or a tree spirit) that lives for the God of the forest, Shishi Gami. At night, the Shishi Gami (a multi-antlered deer with a human face) turns into the form of its Didarabocchi.
"Mononoke Hime" has a very complicated storyline that incorporates a number of characters and animals that all part side in the existing war. Rarely do we see such original material, but let me inform you that this film is hardly a picture for young children. The MPAA has issued a PG-13 rating for the films October 29th release this year, due to the amount of violence and war scenes. For example, many limbs are taken off, including heads from vicious attacks between humans and animals. Coming in at over 2 hours - which seems like quite a stretch for an animated film - "Mononoke Hime" will capture you attention during every waking second. This not your typical animated fare, being far more of an action adventure movie than that of a fun and carefree picture. None the less, your eyes will be gaping in raw amazement.
Without a doubt in my mind, "Mononoke Hime" is the most beautiful and technically challenging animated film ever made. Walt Disney films pale in comparison. There are scenes when my viewing mate and I look at each other in absolute marvelousness over the shear beauty the film's animation. Scenes within Shishi Gami's pond where the majestic light reflects perfectly upon the slithering water, or rush shots of the characters riding through the dense forest. The detail that goes into the environment is breathtaking, especially when the climate is changing among the characters within the scene. Miyazaki is a master of the art of clouds, rain, and even mist. The flawlessness is riveting. Birds that seem tinier than a pin glide across the scene, while dragonflies and other minute creatures live almost unnoticeable to the seeing eye. You're going to find a new found love for anime films, and a new found resentment for American-made cartoons (especially Disney).
Not only has Hayao Miyazaki mastered the art of animation, but he also has shown an profound understanding for the medium of filmmaking. If you carefully analyze his camera movements and shot selections, it is apparent that Miyazaki in extremely talented in both respects. In two instances, Miyazaki utilizes an amazing CG technique called "texture mapping" which allows elaborate backgrounds to move in fluid motion. He also uses a difficult technique where the subject morphs from one object to the other in the most subtlest movements. This is illustrated in scenes where the grass and flowers grow as if time had been sped up months at a time.
To supplement the film's visual brilliance, Joe Hisaishi composed the score of the movie. Matching the emotions of the characters and the overall ambiance of the setting, Hisaishi has created one of the best scores I've ever heard. The absence of musical numbers sung by the characters adds to the overall maturity of the film and where I personally believe animation should be headed.
We Americans are really in for a treat to be able to see such a brilliant animated film on the large screen. It's quite remarkable that "Mononoke Hime" (pronounced 'mono' 'no' 'kay' 'eemay') or "Princess Mononoke" (as it is translated in English) has seemingly been lost in the whole shuffle of Hollywood's big summer extravaganza. I'll have to make additional comments on the new dubbed format, but after seeing the work done on "Kiki's Delivery Service," I wouldn't worry. But let me assure you that by the end of summer, after viewing all the big animated features like "Iron Giant" and "Tarzan," "Princess Mononoke" will rank above them. October 29th, 1999 is when America will finally find a place in their heart for Japanese animation.
If you have any questions/comments, e-mail me at sirmoggy@staytooned.com
Cheers!
Sir Moggy
