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Cast
(voices only):
Yoji
Matsuda
Yuriko
Ishida
Yuko
Tanaka
Kaoru
Kobayashi
Masahiko
Nishimura
Tsunehiko
Kamijo
Sumi
Shimamoto
Writer:
Hayao
Miyazaki
Producer:
Toshio
Suzuki
Director:
Hayao
Miyazaki
Score:
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PRINCESS
MONONOKE
AKA:
Mononoke-Hime
Year:
1997 Reviewer: Phil
Mills
After
his village is attacked by a possessed boar, Ashitaka finds
himself inflicted by a curse that threatens to spread
throughout his entire body. The village elders suggest
that he travel west where rumours are abound of a Deer God who
is capable of curing all. On his travels, Ashitaka seeks
shelter at a village of iron miners where he discovers a
furious battle is underway between the humans and the animals.
The animals are led by Princess Mononoke, a human girl raised
by Wolves, who is adamant to keep her new family safe whilst
the humans are really only attempting to do the same.
Ashitaka does his utmost to cool the feud but he must also
concentrate on removing his curse, a task becoming
increasingly difficult as a group of hunters look to find the
Deer God for their own purposes.
When
it comes to anime, Studio Ghibli is fast becoming my
one-stop-shop for reference material from the genre.
Their fascinating back catalogue of films span a multitude of
subjects that utilise a variety of styles, all of which appear
at their most engaging when Hayao Miyazaki is at the helm.
'Princess Mononoke' is considered by many to be Miyazaki's
crowning glory and watching it now, it's easy to see exactly
why it is so highly regarded. The film is littered with
tremendously three dimensional characters that inhabit a
lavish and realistic world, all of which are explored through
the innocent eyes of a child (a common trait in Miyazaki's
films). Although perhaps not quite as meticulously
polished as 'Spirited
Away', this is still a film that conveys numerous
noteworthy messages and exhibits exciting action pieces along
with a set of characters that are easy to empathise with.
There
have been many arguments based around the true meaning behind
'Princess Mononoke' and it's often felt by enthusiasts that
Westerners fail to grasp it's core concepts. Speaking
for myself, the most important message appears to be an
ecological one that reiterates the human mentality to destroy
nature for our own development but it isn't without both sides
of the argument. Before you panic though, this is not
another exercise in "how to become a hippy" as
perfected by Steven Seagal in 'On Deadly Ground', it is in
fact a subtle approach at delivering a very real message that
is often so restrained that it is possible to overlook it
entirely. Obviously for the kids this will mean that
they can enjoy the film without feeling forcibly educated and
hopefully the message will slyly sink into the subconscious,
giving everyone food for thought.
As
has also become the norm with Ghibli productions, the
animation here is second to none. The human characters,
whilst maintaining the familiar artistic style seen throughout
the Ghibli films, are a joy to behold and express a multitude
of facial expressions that constantly amuse but are always
capable of conveying the serious emotions when required.
However, it's the bizarre creatures that inhabit Miyazaki's
worlds that really provide his films with their true beauty.
With 'Princess Mononoke' we are treated to the likes of the
errie yet cute Kodama who dwell in the forests, the sublimely
animated Deer God (Shishigami) and the monstrous boar Okkotu
to name but a few. Each of these are so imaginatively
created and unique that one wonders how it is possible to keep
inventing such ingenious creations.
To
attempt to categorise Miyazaki's films into a degree of
quality would be unfair as each one maintains a distinctive
charm of it's own but if pushed then 'Princess Mononoke' would
easily be classed as one of the frontrunners (right up there
with 'Spirited Away' for sure). This is a fantastical
story filled with a meaningful narrative and superb characters
and it is easily approachable for people of all ages.
Truly another masterpiece from the mind of Miyazaki.
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