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Rating: Null/10 (20 September 2003)

Spirited Away is a gorgeous film--unlike Disney or other animated movies, each scene is meticulously laid out. It is easy to overlook simple effects, such as the wind rippling through the grass, but when you stop to think about it, you realize just how much work went into creating this strange little world.
If you loved other Miyazaki films, undoubtedly you will enjoy this one. I would even say it's his best yet. Non-anime fans object to illogicity of the film, yet these same people flock to the theaters to watch The Matrix and Spiderman...what you have to understand is "Children's Movie" does not equate "childish." This is a film that adults would enjoy. Some people say that the length is too long; I actually wish it were longer because Miyazaki creates a fantasy world you want to stay in. In the beginning, Chihiro's parents mistake the spirit world for an abandoned amusement park. At the end, you feel like you're leaving the best rides behind and you wish you could go back again.
This is the sort of film that keeps you thinking about it days after you've watched it. The significance of certain moments will come back to you and you will be amazed.
My only concern is the difference between the subtitled version and the Disney version. I think they took a few liberties with translation that made certain scenes sound silly, and no offense to Daveigh Chase but she makes Chihiro the whiniest little girl in the world. I would highly recommend watching the subtitled version, but the other one holds up pretty well.