When Princess Mononoke was released in Japan a few years back it almost came close to making has much money has Titanic, however when it was dubbed and released in America it was a box-office flop. Was the dubbing bad, was it because none of the critics like it. No on both counts the dubbing in this is done greatly, and it had several critics raving (in fact it made it to number 6 of Roger Eberts top ten movie of 1999.). The fact is that it just wasn’t hyped, Disney forgot to advertise the movie. Let's face it movies like the Grinch don't become popular because there better then everyone, they become popular because they get the united states post office to stamp happy wholidays on everybody's Christmas mail. All right now that I bored everybody with my raving it's time to go with the movie review

I hadn’t even heard of this movie until I went and bought Kiki's Delivery Service http://www.epinions.com/content_35317976708. When I heard about it; so I decide to look into it and decided to buy the DVD.

The movie.
When a demon bore attacks A$h!taka's (someone tell epinions censor to stop censoring movie charecters names) village he comes to it's defense, and while is able to slay the demon he is cursed with a mark on his right arm. The curse will spread and eventually kill him. In the boar the villagers find an iron ball that could have possibly have turn the boar into a demon. Now A$h!taka journeys west to Iron town and the forest of the Deer God to find a cure and to see what he can see with eyes unclouded by hate. At Iron Town he winds up being in the middle of a war between the people who live in Iron Town and the Forest gods.

The animation.
The animation like the other two Miyazaki films is beautiful and well detailed. The characters look and move perfectly, however one can't help but noticed the detail in the scenery. The forests are lush in green while Iron town looks like a small fortress. I have noticed in Myazaki films that he likes to spend at least 5 minutes of the film in pan shots of the scenery.

Oh yeah I should mention that just because this is an animated movie, this isn’t a kiddy cartoon. This is an adult movie, you have decapitations, plenty of blood, and people being disarmed (literally). Now I know that a lot of people don’t like to see adult themes in animation, however there is something that animation can do that real live movies can’t do. That is to break the rules of reality and create their own rules, something this movie does fairly well.

The voices.
Like Kiki's Delivery Service there are some very big name actors for the characters. The voices of Gillian Anderson, Minnie Driver and several other actors are used here. Do they do has good a job has the ones in Kiki's Delivery Service, I would have to say no. They just don't seem to bring out the same excitement has Kiki's Delivery Service, I am not saying there bad just don't expect them to move you has the voice actors in Kiki's Delivery service.

For all those of you would rather be listing to the original voice actors and reading subtitles that is also on there. However I personally would rather be watching the movie then the subtitles, besides if I wanted to read I would pick up a book. All though I do suggest going through the Japanese subtitles at least once because there are a few key plot points that have been change in the English version.

My thoughts on the movie.
Your probably wondering why I said a few steps away from being a masterpiece. Well first off let me explain that like Kiki’s delivery service there is no bad guy. But unlike Kiki’s delivery service which conflict situated in the everyday struggles of Kiki’s life, this has plenty of conflict. However there is no bad guy because everybody has there own motives and varying shades of gray. The nearest person to a villain in the film is Lady Eboshi. Why she does kill animals, wreck the forests, and basically do her bests to tick off any forest god that she can. She does care for human beings, even sheltering lepers and prostitutes in her city.

The problem comes with a lack of character development, the movie tries to cover so many angles and shades of gray that there is no room for any individual character development, leaving you to wonder why the heck does this certain character do this and that, especially A$h!taka, you wonder why this character never does stand up and fight. Even in the most urgent of situations he decides not to choose sides with anyone.. Also I was left with a few other questions exactly what is a forest god? How do they become demons? And last how do you kill a god, after all aren’t they suppose to be immortal.

My thoughts.
While Princess Mononoke has its faults it’s still a good movie and I suggest a rental. However if I had to choose between Kiki or Monoke, I would have to say I would go with Kiki.


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older