A Film of Rich, Breathtaking Vitality.

Rating: 10/10 (18 June 2009)

Spirited Away {dir. Hayao Miyazaki, 2002}
****/****
This is the first Miyazaki I've seen, and suffice to say the man made one hell of a first impression! The story is equal parts Wonderland and Oz, also incorporating numerous tropes of classic fantasy. Yet the story and the entire film feel unusual in their completeness, in their immersive quality and breathtaking majesty. Visually, this is one of the finest films of the decade. A great move rich with characters, ideas and most importantly life. Each frame of this picture jumps off the screen and inhabits the viewer's subconscious, imprinting images that will last for a lifetime. It contains rich characters, an enchanting and slightly off center world, along with a thankful lack of moralizing. Like the best childhood parables, Spirited Away has the capacity to frighten, enchant, and most importantly entertain audiences from any culture in any language.