Facsinating

Rating: 9/10 (14 November 2006)

After claimed-to-be-the-last Princess Mononoke, here came Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi by Miyazaki. I suppose the whole world is crazy about it, and of course it's worth.
The story starts with Chihiro and her family going on the way to their new house. They get lost and go through a gate to another world. When Chihiro's parents see the food in the market, they just sit down and eat but they turn out to turn into pigs. Chihiro is so scared but then when night falls, gods and spirits appear. Chihiro has no clue about anything happened but she keeps going. She gets a job in the bath house, finds out more and at last manages to leave this world after a series of events.
You must find the whole film is quite interesting and all the spirits and gods look really funny. We seem to be with Chihiro throughout her whole journey in the world of gods and spirits. She has a very pure heart and works really hard even when she's in trouble and doesn't understand the whole situation. When the Witch tries to take away Chihiro's identity and fool her around, Chihiro's belief really stands and gives her the way home. She's also willing to accept and help others, be them evil, strange, nasty, or greedy. Maybe the personalities she possesses are something we need but have lost. Of course identity is more than our names, but what the names mean to others counts most. Otherwise we'll just like No-Face.
Miyazaki's way to process the whole film may be a bit exaggerating compared with his previous works, but that makes it more enjoyable and more suitable for children. I've watched this film for five times, and every time I'll have some new thoughts. The inspiration brought by the film is of course subject to viewers, but I'm sure everyone will be fully satisfied with the film.
This is surely one of the best imaginative animations I've ever seen. Don't miss out!