PRINCESS MONONOKE
------------------ An Amazing and Enchanting Tale -----------------
Published by Buena Vista Ent. Inc
Created by Ghibli Studios
Running Time : 2h10
DVD content : movie, chapter selection, audio options, bonus
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Ever since AKIRA, Europe has been aware that Japanese Studios could compete
with American moguls like Disney in the field of animated movies (called
animes when it comes to Japanese ones). Tho many are still unknown or just not
spread in our countries, we've been able to enjoy other master pieces such as
Ghost In the Shell or Porco Rosso (another Ghibli production) for instance.
As their new movie called Chihiro's Journey has been given on the big screen
for several weeks already, I decided to go forward and buy Princess Mononoke,
while I had only seen a trailer. This DVD release comes as two editions, the
only difference between them being the presence of a genuine bit of film, what
doesn't justify the 10 or so Euros rise in price.
Ghibli Studio has gained a good reputation with their latest animes so that
Princessc Monoke had a chance to be enjoyed in theaters, something not so
common for Japanese productions.
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PLOT :
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Action is set in middleaged Japan, 16th century more precisely. This is a time
when the country is still covered with seemingly endless forests that hosts
all sorts of spirits. Animal gods, mostly giant hogs, wolves and deers keep
protecting their territory. Unfortunately this is also a time of changes as
humans want to push civilization further and gain more space over forests.
That's when the story starts...
One day, a huge beast, infected by some evil spirit, leaves the forest and
enters the humans territory. It is stopped before it reaches a village by
Ashitaka, a young warrior. But the latter gets wounded in the fight and gets
himself gradually infected by the same demon. His only chance to escape death
(or worse as he could turn into a demon) lies in the most powerful god of the
forest : a giant deer with a human face. That's how he leaves on his long
quest.
He finally reaches a river from which he saves two men. Shortly earlier their
caravan had been attacked by angry animal gods, giant wolves, led by Princess
Mononoke, a young girl who lives with beasts. He takes both survivors to the
fortress where they come from, a giant and blazing forge settled on an island
and surrounded by vast mountains.
There he meets Lady Eboshi, the leader of that community. More than a hundred
people live here, working hard nights and days, cutting tress to feed the
forge fire that will turn melted metal into deadly weapons. Lad Eboshi doesn't
hide her ambition : she wants to erradicate the entire forest all around to
make room for so called 'Civilization'. Of course her ennemy is Princess
Mononoke who keeps fighting her community.
As usual, no need to spoil the story and tell you what happens, you jsut have
to know that somehow a terrible battle will take place, opposing forest
animals and gods to a human army... The rest will be known if you watch that
superb movie.
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CHARACTERS AND THEMES
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There are three major characters, already named above, who clearly represent
and defend opposed points of views.
LADY EBOSHI perfetcly embodies 'modern progress'. To here there's no room for
ancient gods or protected territories. All that matter is productivity and
development. And if that implies burning the whole forest and bannish animals
from their home, she'll do it without hesitating for the sake of the community
she leads.
PRINCESS MONONOKE (also known as SAN) : abandoned by her parents she was grown
by wolves. She leads them in raids against humans to protect the forest. In
spite of her roots, she considers herself an animal and wants nothing to do
with humans... except wiping them out. The way she runs and jumps actually
makes her look more like an animal than a human being.
ASHITAKA : on his quest to find a remedy against his curse, he finds out that
every time he gets angry or aggressive, the stain that covers his arm extends
and amplifies the infection. He'll use this to show both parties that rage and
violence bring nothing but death and mutual destruction.
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TECHNICAL SPECS
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This surely one of the most beautiful animated movie ever ! And when I say
'beautiful' I feel the word isn't sufficient to describe the beauty of these
forests, vast plains, skies, animals and so on. Unlike most Disney crap, there
are no computer aided animations every ten second, actually if there's any
computer stuff in this movie I didn't see it at all ! Everything looks like a
painting with smooth shapes and colors, pure bliss for your eyes !
The musical score is also awesome with Japaneselike melodies (hey why not
trash metal or tekno ?). They underline important situations and perfectly
complete the graphical feast.
The storyline is just captivating till the end... More than two hours later !
I guess it says enough about the movie quality.
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BONUSES AND FINAL WORDS
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Unlike THE CELL (report to my other DVD review), this one looks really poor...
The only bonuses are a theatrical trailer and a 5 minute long "making of" of
little interest as you'll see the American actors who gave their voices to the
US version of the anime (who cares ?). Besides they all say it was "the
greatest experience of their life" if you see what I mean....
In spite of these few minuses, PRINCESS MONONOKE is undoubtedly a master piece
in animation EVERY manga (or even animated movies) fan HAS to see ! I've seen
it three times so far and believe it or not, I seldom do that !
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