One of the best animated films EVER.

Rating: 10/10 (31 October 1999)

Anyone who's convinced that Japanese animation consists of nothing more than sex and violence needs to see the collected works of Hayao Miyazaki. Granted, that can be difficult, as few of his films are available (legally) in the States, but it's a task that is well worth it. His movies are always overflowing with strong, complex characters, involving stories, and breathtaking scenery.
That said, when I heard that Mononoke Hime was a tale about man versus nature, I was a little hesitant, despite the fact that it was Miyazaki's work. I shouldn't have been. The film may be ecologically-aware, but the throrough treatment it gives to the subject makes previous animated American shots at the same look like the preachy, simplistic claptrap they are (paging Captain Planet...). Neither side in MH's battle is "evil" - both are fighting to preserve their way of life. And the cliche of nature as pure and righteous is tossed aside here; the animal gods are just as given to unseeing hatred as their human enemies.
Anyway, if you only watch one animated film in a year, it should be this one. Hell, if you don't watch ANY animated films... well, you get the idea. It's a simply beautiful animated epic.