Eye candy to some extent but not memorable

Rating: 3/10 (8 June 2006)

Maybe it's the dubbing (for it's the English version that I watched). I had high hopes this time that Japanese anime characters are going to be finally lovable, and it failed once again. The story wasn't too bad when Chihiro first got into the bathhouse and when all the funny, innovative characters, a lot of whom taken probably from traditionally Japanese legends and folk tales, are introduced. But most of them were simply introduced and left alone, not making any difference to what would go on. Perhaps the smooth and "predictable" story-telling of American animes that gives some significance to every character that they care to put in front of the audience is addictive. As for the main character Chihiro, I'm slightly consoled at her pretty much genuine appearance (small eyes, build and height of a child). However when the little boy comes in I sadly knew where this movie is going right away. There just can't be a proper Japanese anime without a hint of dubious relationship between their male and female pre-teen leads. And it's always just a hint, for the little girl and boy do seem to remain incredibly pure and innocent and righteous against all odds. Then again it might be the translation and dubbing - but when Chihiro finally learnt her lesson of "love" in the sky when flying with Haku, it truly made me wince and spoilt whatever innocent fun the movie offered earlier. The dark, childlike qualities of Japanese animes always make it difficult for me to believe that they are totally healthy.
Aside from the lack of convincing character development I would have liked the plot to be a little tighter. The interesting array of characters presented at the beginning was rather dearly missed throughout the film. When Chihiro went to look for Yubaba's sister I thought it almost came to a standstill and could use a second episode to explain a whole lot more things. Perhaps it's, again, the training of every-part-fits-in-nicely American animes that makes me miss the point about a lot of things in Spirited Away.