A child's introduction to loss

Rating: 9/10 (3 April 2004)

I watched 'Spirited Away' with the translated original script subtitles. Out of curiosity, I then switched to the US dub to discover that Disney had made some rather crass and pointless changes to the script - spoken by poorly cast voiceover actors. This is, I presume, Disney's decision to make the film "more accessible to the American public" who, if Hollywood were to be believed, are a bunch of numb-minded cretins.
One of the things that's most appealing about Japanese anime is exactly the stuff that's - excuse the pun - lost in translation, which allows non-Japanese-speaking audiences to use their imagination and develop their own interpretation. Disney just misses the point on this, resulting in ironic moments in the film, such as the parents literally pigging out on theme park food. I'm sure Western audiences aren't so dumb as to not pick up on these references.
As for my own interpretation of the film, I think it's about how children must learn very early on to accept and adapt to change, and how their own imaginations are far better equipped than an adult's to deal with loss and mourning. I even wondered if the film is trying to explain death to children. No Face would be a likely candidate for that role: Chihiro lets him in and does not fear him like the adults because she doesn't understand what he is. Interestingly, No Face travels on the ghost train and is, consequently, the only companion invited to stay with 'Granny' when the friends decide to make their return journey. However, I'd be very interested to read other people's interpretations.
I found this film to be hugely moving and, in many ways, a return to more rounded and thought-provoking narratives which were once far more commonplace in children's fiction. It reminded me of many treasured books from my childhood and, by encouraging me to use my imagination and suspend disbelief, allowed me to watch with the same wonderment I had back then.