Unparalleled amination; for confirmed Miyazaki fans

Rating: Null/10 (25 September 2002)

I've never seen animation art to compare with the art in "Spirited Away." The detail, the perspectives, and the colors - especially the colors - are extraordinary. Miyazaki has never done better.
This movie, however, is not the one to use to attract new Miyazaki fans. It's for those of us who know and admire his work already. Those who are not familiar with anime will not find "Spirited Away" as accessible as Miyazaki's other works. There are more surreal images, more symbolism, and more layers here.
Gluttony seems to be a theme in this movie. Sen's parents are imprisoned in the form of pigs, punished for gluttony. Miyazaki seems to be making a connection between gluttony and misuse of the environment.
A vast, stinking, filthy creature that seems made of pure corruption comes to the bath where Sen, stripped of her name, is forced to work; with Sen's aid he vomits up much of the debris of our world. A faceless spirit eats everything in sight until Sen stops him.
Despite these images, the movie is visually stunning. I've never seen colors so intense and vibrant, or such clear-line detail.
Go see this movie while you can; it is in very limited release. But if you have friends who have never had the good luck to see Miyazaki's work before, do them a favor and show them "My Neighbor Totoro" and "Princess Mononoke" first.