Richard 'Kurogo' Palmer's
Obligatory "Princess Mononoke" review
Those of you who know me know my firm belief about the comic book industry in this country, that too often comic books are seen as something just for kids. Well, the same goes with animation. Admittedly the majority of animated features in America seem steadfast on telling children's stories, sugarcoating them with cuteness whenever possible.
But the Japanese on the other hand, they make room for adult oriented animation that can truly hold an audience captive. 'Princess Mononoke' is such a film, an animated fable that make some of the big budget Hollywood films look pathetic in comparison. I've also been informed that this movie became the highest grossing movie in Japanese history when it was released there in 1997.
The film is directed By Hayao Miyazaki, in my mind a Director up there with such great directors as Akira Kurosawa and Orson Welles. He's adorned this movie with such amazing visuals that you would never expect to see in an animated film. Visuals that completely envelope you in this world of Fantasy.
The English dubbed Version of this movie was just recently released on video (for rent). I did happen to see this version when it was released during the Colorado Japanese Animation Festival. Such high-profile American actors as Minnie Driver, Billy Bob Thornton, and Clare Danes are part of the dubbing.
The story begins with Ashitaka (voiced by Billy Crudup), a warrior who's attacked by a demon as he protects his village from the beast. The Demon turns out to be a giant boar god from the western side of Japan. Ashitaka is forced to travel with his elk, Yaku to the region the boar god came from. There he finds a secluded forest village where workers cut down trees as part of their iron-smelting operation.
In the Nearby forest lives a wolf goddess (Gillian Anderson) who is trying to rid the forest of the greedy humans. She's assisted by Princess Mononoke (Danes), a girl raised by wolves. Ashitaka tries to help resolve the differences between the people of Iron town and the forest gods, mostly by trying to plead his case through Mononoke.
And then there's Jigo Boh a wandering monk Played by Thornton. The founder of Iron town Lady Eboshi (Driver) and the amusing Ox Driver named Kuroku who I'm kind of Partial to (for semi-obvious reasons :). I could go on and on, this is just the basics of the beginning of the movie even. I've barely scratched the surface. Anyway it's important to note that this is not a children's movie. Most children would have a hard time following the intricate plot and character developments. This is also far more violent than the Children's animation in this country. Miyazaki didn't shrink away from the gore in this movie, several limbs are severed, and even more unsettling sights occur, such as the throbbing worm-like creatures that devour the landscapes. Don't think for a second that because it comes from the same country as Pokèmon it's going to be as childish.
The characters themselves are hardly from a children's story. They are shaded in surprisingly complex ways. The villainous Lady Eboshi has her good traits, while she may be despoiling the forest; she also employs social outcasts, such as lepers and prostitutes, who've been shunned by society.
For adult audiences this film is a visual jubilee, with the right blend of computer-generated graphics and expert illustrated animation. And most audiences will find the meaning behind the complicated plot that revolves around the constant struggle of man against nature. A film that has quite a message in these times where the natural beauty of the world around us seems constantly threatened.
Still, even without the resounding statement the film's story makes; the rich animation is still a good enough reason to see it. With such sights as the night walker, an amazing creature whose appearance is almost impossible for me to describe with words. And you've never seen animated rain until you've seen the way it's propelled on the screen in this film.
I've recently found out that the DVD version of this film will include a Japanese soundtrack, which I'm really looking forward to. Although I liked the job the American voice actors did, I would really like to hear the Japanese voices for this film. (And usually I'm a Dub supporter).
All in all, this film is a milestone, hell I'm buying it on DVD when it's released. It's one of the great movies of this last decade, astounding and full of resplendent energy. I give it an A.
That's my two cents,
Richard 'Kurogo' Palmer