Perhaps Miyazaki's most powerful and epic offering to date

Rating: 9/10 (26 January 2009)

Hiyao Miyazaki has gained his fame as a uniquely talented animator in Japan; one who has been deemed good enough to be imported to Western cinema. Miyazaki has also been known as a strict conservationalist/environmentalist, and this film combines his two passions seamlessly. I am aware that pretty much all of Miyazaki's films have environmentalist messages/undertones, but this one has a particularly strong and powerful meaning.
As always, Miyazaki's films are catered to more mature audiences, and this one has one of the most intelligent and complex story lines one is apt to see in an animated feature. That's not to say that children will not be fascinated by the unique and flowing visuals, but it should also be noted that this is one of Miyazaki's most violent films, and contains various depictions of decapitations, dismemberments, and blood. As such, very young children may be detracted from the film, but audiences from their teens to their twilight years would find this a uniquely fascinating and rewarding movie-going experience.
Thankfully, I was able to procure a subtitled version and not the dubbed one (although I am aware that the English voice acting was not as cheesy as most dubbed tiles) The main characters are quite likable and audiences will enjoy going along with them on their emotional and physical rides. Moreover, Miyazaki does not take sides, and presents the story in an intelligent and unbiased fashion, intimating that everyone acts in what they believe is their best interest.
This was my third Miyazaki film and I enjoyed this even more than HAURU NO UGOKU SHIRO, but not as much as SEN TO CHIHIRO NO KAMIKAKUSHI. Overall, this film deserves a 9/10 and 3.5 star rating (out of 4). Should enter my Top 150 at 144. Unreservedly recommended.