A Great Film

Rating: 10/10 (7 November 1999)

This film by Hayao Miyazaki is one of the best FILMS I have seen in awhile. Please note that I did not say "animated film." Many people seem to think that animation is something purely for children. I see it as simply another form of art, that can be used as personal expression and can be used as a viable form of entertainment for anyone. I thank Disney for not editing this movie (well, they were contractually obligated not to) and the intelligent scriptwriting by Neil Gaiman was on the nose.
Some people may be turned off by the amounts of gore in this film, and the rather sudden scenes of violence. Well, all I have to say is that there is nothing here people haven't seen in movies like "Braveheart." It was amusing that, in NYC's Angelika Theater, there was a sign above the ticket office that said" this film has scenes of animal and human violence, this is not Pokemon." Amazing that such a sign should be needed - I guess people don't read movie reviews, or MPAA ratings.
What disturbs me is that Miramax is not advertising this film on TV. How are people supposed to know to go see this? Then, later, if this movie doesn't get good box-office income (from all 16 theaters that are playing in the USA!) they will say "people don't like cartoons like this." If they knew it was ON, they might GO... Many people I have told about this movie went "Princess Mono-what? WHat's that?" A shame. This is a terrific movie, and not something I would be afraid to show my 10-year old!