Animated classic features strong story, stunning visuals
Joe Nguyen, editor
May 24, 2007

Life's hard for Ashitaka.

He is the last prince of the Emishi, a group of people who live in a hidden village in the forest. After slaying a demon beast that threatened their lives, he ventures to the outside world, going into exile and leaving his fiancée behind forever.

Oh, one minor detail: His arm is cursed from battling the beast. If he gets angry then he gains crazy strength, but it also causes the curse to spread.

“Princess Mononoke” is one of Japanese-animation guru Hayao Miyazaki's finest creations. The writer and director, who also directed “Howl's Moving Castle” and “Spirited Away,” blends together incredible animation, an intricate story and an aurally pleasing soundtrack to create an instant classic.

Miyazaki's films have always been known for its lush backgrounds and fluid movements. This movie is no different. The action sequences showcase this best with details staying sharp, from the wooden slivers flying off of batted-down arrows to the serpent-like growths on cursed creatures.

The visuals may be appealing, but it's the story that's the biggest strength for the film. Miyazaki masterfully crafts a number of storylines for his stable of complex characters, each with their distinct personality. Though some may have traits that make them appear to be protagonists at certain times, they all remain in a gray area between the lines of good and bad.

And like icing to a cake, the music gives the film its finishing touches. The rich orchestra sounds are full of harmony, pairing together elaborate strings with melodic horns. The percussion are subdued, lending its presence to heavy moments in the movie.

In the U.S. version, actors Billy Crudup, Billy Bob Thornton and Gillian Anderson are among the cast of stars who lend their voice to the film. Typically dubbed anime characters sound awkward with overemphasized tones, but this English voices sound completely natural in this film.

The story of “Princess Mononoke” is an engaging film for the entire family with its rich plot and lush animation. It's been 10 years since Miyazaki released this film into theaters and it's still as powerful today as it was then. Classics don't fade with time, they grow with age.

Joe gives "Princess Mononoke":

Joe Nguyen is the editor in chief for AsiaXpress.com. Joe can be contacted via e-mail at joe@asiaxpress.com.