Makes You Forget What You're Watching

Rating: 10/10 (5 June 2009)

I watched "Princess Mononoke" quite some time ago and found it to be just okay, albeit a tad bit disappointing. I have heard so many wonderful things about "Spirited Away", including all the buzz surrounding it following the 75th Academy Awards, so I came in with rather lofty expectations. It did not disappoint.
The story itself is quite simple. It follows a young girl's transformation from a self-obsessed and spoiled figure to a selfless and understanding individual. The plot is ordinary, yet it defies every single Disney or Pixar stereotype. It is captivating, and while Miyazaki is an absolute genius with almost all of his films, this is perhaps his best work. The protagonists, Chihiro and Haku, are both extremely likable, and while the film is categorized as being a part of the Adventure and Fantasy genres, there are humorous, serious, and even tender moments.
The animation is very good. It is not at all like that of companies such as Disney and Pixar. The animation in this film is different. In a good way. Miyazaki is brilliant in how he is able to include such relevant social commentary in the context of the film. He doesn't shove anything in the viewers face, but there are underlying actions and themes that suggest that what humans are doing to the environment may soon be irreversible and that one day when nature turns its back on us, it is a result of our doing.