Chihiro the Brave Hero

Rating: 7/10 (29 May 2007)

Chihiro, or Sen, is the hero in Spirited Away. Her hard work and bravery is the saving element to her life, and her parents. The film, Spirited Away, is an anime movie that won a 2003 Oscar. The film lived up to its Oscar hype by delivering good framing, pace, and characters. Chihiro is the main character who has to work in the bathhouse to save her life, and her parents. She is portrayed in a good way, although her voice can be a little annoying, but this could be the product of bad translation. She is later given the Shinto name Sen, which means 1000. In addition to Shinto, the nature spirits are used throughout the film. The Anime was phenomenal throughout the movie, helping to add to the already good plot. The pace was surprisingly steady and smooth, which is not normal for Japanese or Chinese films.
The films literary elements were very good. The plot seemed to have a good direction, although the audience should be aware that there is a discontinuous narrative (flashbacks) and a time disjunct. However, the film is very easy to follow along for most ages. The characters of the movie were very clever. Besides Chihiro, there was Haku (who she falls in love with), the polluted river spirit, the witch who ran the bathhouse, and so forth. The polluted river spirit was a way to show that the modern world is being polluted by people's greed. Throughout the film, the director displays problems with modernity, and fixes them with more traditional ideas. The ideas of modernity verse tradition present the underlying conflict in the film. The conflict that most people will see is Chihiro trying to get back her parents. However, there is more to it than just that. It is important to note the tests she must go through in order to be free and save her parents. For example, the stink creature shows the destruction of modernity through his pollution of modern materials.
I recommend this movie to all audiences. The anime was particularly good, and the pace was very pleasant, even to westerners. The plot and characters kept me entertained throughout the film. In addition, the audience should pay particular attention to the modern views that are criticized and corrected by traditional views. Even if you're not educated about the traditional values, modern values, or Shintoism, you can still enjoy the film.