FilmCreature Reviews 'Princess Mononoke'

Rating: 10/10 (9 July 2007)

The first time I saw this movie, I was going to give it a 9/10, but now that I have watched it several more times, I see the epic scale of it all. The animation is just beautiful. Wondrous. Hayao Miyazaki is a genius. I love the story, it's like an ancient tale told through the ages.
The story begins with Ashitaka (voiced by Billy Crudup) battling a giant demon. It turns out to be a huge boar covered with black, evil worm-like creatures. Some of the creatures wrap themselves around Ashitaka's arm, and he is infected. "Though you cannot change your fate," he is told by the village wise woman, "you may rise to meet it." So Ashitaka begins a journey to be cured of this infection by the mysterious forest spirit, a glorious creature you must see for yourself. Along the way, he battles samurai and makes a stop in Irontown, ruled by the ruthless Lady Eboshi (Minnie Driver), and encounters a monk named Jigo, who gives him advice and is friendly towards him. For now.
This movie is a fantastic animated masterpiece, as beautiful as Spirited Away in story, and even more beautiful in its epic animation.
4/4