Lost in Translation

Rating: 6/10 (9 September 2006)

I'm not a fan of dubbed movies. Film 4 (UK) have been showing some Miyazaki movies and I caught "Castle in the Sky" recently. This was the subtitled version and I really enjoyed it.
Unfortunately, Film 4 chose to show the dubbed version of "Princess Mononoke", presumably because it was broadcast in a prime time slot. Despite a script treatment by talented fantasy author Neil Gaiman, the dialogue was pretty lame in places. Some of the so-called voice talent was pretty poor as well. Minnie Driver must have literally phoned her performance in as Lady Eboshi, her voice registering as much emotion as an automated response. Jada Pinkett Smith sounded pretty incongruous as a Japanese iron worker and Billy Bob Thornton just didn't work as the sort-of villain.
I enjoyed what I could understand of the plot and the imagery and production design were wonderful. I'd give the original Japanese version (subtitled in English) an 8 but the American dubbing drags "Princess Mononoke" down to 6.