|
|
||||||||||
 |
| Buy from Amazon | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||||||||||
|
| Overall | Art | Animation | Character Design | Music | Series Story | Episode Story | Reviewer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||
| Buy | 9 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 9 | Ggultra2764 | # | |
|
Princess Mononoke reminded me quite a bit of Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. Both films feature complex characters and themes of environmental awareness. But, Mononoke Hime is set in feudal era Japan with animal gods that guard a nearby forest giving it a more mythic feeling. Nontheless, I did enjoy the movie for its themes and complex characters influenced through Hayao Miyazaki's usual animation direction. Much like Nausicaa, Princess Mononoke features characters with a great deal of depth to them and featuring no true antagonist. Eboshi, San, and Ashitaka all have their beliefs and motivations in what they believe is the right thing to do regarding the fates of those they care for. San wishes to protect her adopted family of wolves from the destruction ravaging the forest from Eboshi and her enemies. Eboshi accepts outcasts of feudal Japanese society and is trying to protect her village from the animal gods and her other enemies. Ashitaka wishes for both sides to live together peacefully believing violence will resolve nothing. With these perspectives, it's easy to sympathize with these characters as they undergo their conflicts in supporting their causes. The movie also delves into themes of environmental awareness by stressing how humanity's lack of peaceful coexistence with nature is causing it to suffer. The ironworks village makes use of resources from the forest at the expense of the animals living in it to preserve itself, symbolic of mankind's destruction of nature to create things for their own convenience. The animal gods fighting against Eboshi and the human invaders represent nature's attempts to oppose this threat and restore nature to its natural order before humanity's presence disrupted it. Visually, Princess Mononoke's artwork is crisp and colorful with lush, detailed scenery and character designs, as to be expected from Studio Ghibli. The action is fluid and intense, as this film's action scenes are the bloodiest you will see yet of Studio Ghibli's works. So be warned if you think you will expect the usual family fare with this movie given Ghibli's other animated works. If you are a big fan of anything Ghibli or Hayao Miyazaki, then this will be a definite Buy for your anime collection. Last updated Sunday, July 06 2008. | ||||||||
| ||||||||
| Watch | 8 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 5 | 0 | Devil Doll | # |
[Score: 72%]
The presentation stunned me. The art is great, the animation is the best I've ever seen to date. The music instantly reminded me of a fantasy movie I love, "Willow" (score by James Horner), and helped a lot to create a fantastic mood for me. There are not many movies that have me watch them without a break when I see them the first time, but this one did. I get along nicely with the characters. Not a single one of them is just plain good or bad, they all have credible motivations for what they are going after. Despite doing certain great things, Ashitaka isn't the glorious hero to me, but more of a catalyst who makes things happen instead of doing them himself (which would be difficult anyway, being surrounded by mighty powers like this). I respect many of the characters; on the other hand, I didn't manage to love any one of them (my favourite being the wife of the wounded man brought back by Ashitaka to the town of Lady Eboshi). There are just too many of them, and two of the most promising ones (San and Eboshi) don't really progress, they just turn around at some point. Anyway, the film seems to focus more on its message than on the characters ... Which leaves the story line to be the element which I have a problem with. And I'm not just talking about political messages here. But things progress so absolutely into a direction where nothing but a huge miracle can save the day, and ... that miracle is going to happen. In the end many things turn out different from what they might have been, just to provide some happy ending that I wouldn't have asked for (does Kyuuketsuki Miyu (TV) need one?). The individual sections of the story are nicely performed, but the "solution" of this conflict is rather a Cntrl-Alt-Del reboot: "Problems!? What problems?? Were there any problems?" Anyway, this is a movie that I will use to introduce people not knowing better than "toons are for kids" to the world of anime, so that they may at least feel the atmosphere. Footnote: This is the first anime that I watched with a great dub in my native language! Not only was the language believable and appropriate to the cultural background, the voice actors sounded even motivated and added to the fantastic and dramatic atmosphere. Yes, it can be done if you really try! Another footnote: This movie is actually popular enough now to run in German free TV on Christmas Eve - at prime time! Last updated Tuesday, September 26 2006. | ||||||||
| ||||||||
| Buy | Violet D | # | ||||||
|
This was a movie that had an idea that fasinated me and I liked the character design. A battle between nature and mankind. In the end both sides come to a tie. Their is a bond that starts between the hero and the wolf girl and the movie ends that way. I liked the animation and the art that was done in this movie and I liked the ending. They go their seperate ways but still the village isn't far and they will be able to see each other.
Last updated Friday, April 08 2005. | ||||||||
| ||||||||
| Rent | 8 | 9 | 6 | 8 | 5 | DillonSOB | # | |
|
A lot has been said about Mononoke's profound societal and philosophical commentary/implicati Last updated Tuesday, May 11 2004. | ||||||||
| ||||||||
| Buy | 9 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 10 | lost emotions | # | |
|
All i can say is WOW! I rented the vcd and now i have to have to buy it. This story shows the conflict between man and nature, and how men aren't evil, but they are too consumed greed and power. This anime outputs alot of hidden messages, and the music is fabolous. Throughout the whole movie, it keeps sending out messages that life is the most important thing in life, and it really changes your perspectives on things. For people looking for an anime you can watch and the plot is hurled towards you, don't watch this. This anime sends out the plot slowly and quietly. Glibli Studios has a way of making the watcher very sad, but not because of people dying. I loved this movie very much and i think YOU SHOULD ALL BUY IT! Last updated Sunday, December 07 2003. | ||||||||
| ||||||||
| Buy | 9 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 8 | MasterYoshidino | # | |
|
Just like spirited away , hime is definately worth buying if you are into works by studio ghibli. very good plot and storyline. obviously they know how to present a good storyline and that is what makes me personally purchase anime or anything. those that are into anything ghibli should also watch hotaru no haka , which is also a miyazaki hayao work. i just wished the disney release was a kept up as the japanese release. feels like disney does as much good as nutech sometimes. Last updated Saturday, November 01 2003. | ||||||||
| ||||||||
| Rent | dhrachth | # | ||||||
|
I watched this about a year ago and all I can remember is that the heads popping off was really neat. Not a sign of a great anime, especially considering that I can remember entire plots of movies I saw once nearly a decade ago. It didn't suck, I think I liked it at the time, but it couldn't have been overly impressive. Last updated Thursday, September 11 2003. | ||||||||
| ||||||||
| Buy | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | Paranoia | # | ||
|
Princess Mononoke is probably my favorite anime movie ever. The animation is excellent and the characters were interesting and very well developed. The only thing about a few of the characters in this movie that I didn't like is that they used no logic or common sense whatsoever.. however, most of the characters who did this were animals, so I suppose that could be expected. I loved the plot. To add to how great this movie is, there is even some humor. I suggest watching the subbed version, tho the dubbed version has some well know actors and actresses doing the voices (noteably, Billy Bob Thorton.. and I found that his voice didn't fit his part well.. too western sounding), the original Japanese voices sound better for the characters. This is one movie that I'd love to see a sequel to.. it would have to be an extremely well done sequel to follow up a movie like that, but I'd still like to see a sequel. Last updated Sunday, August 17 2003. | ||||||||
| ||||||||
| Buy | 10 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 9 | Miss Cleo | # | |
|
Wow! This was by far one of the best anime movies I've seen so far! The artwork is stunning and the music is some of the best that I've ever heard in an anime. I love the story too. It reminded me of a Navajo myth that read about a long time ago, and I think that helped me to understand and truely appreciate this movie. Reading some of the other reviews I think some people didn't get what Miyazaki was trying to get across. Some parts of the movie are sort of symbolic and shouldn't be taken literally. For example, the arrow severing off body parts was just to emphasize how powerful the hatred was that was infecting and spreading through him. I like the way the characters are a little good and a little evil in this movie, because that's the way people really are. But I felt sorry for Ashitaka because it seemed like he was just caught in the middle. He was the one truely decent character who was trying to be good to everyone equally, and it seemed as if he got crapped on the most. Definately see this movie!!! Even if the story isn't your style the animation alone is worth watching it for. Last updated Wednesday, July 30 2003. | ||||||||
| ||||||||
| Rent | 8 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 8 | Conardo | # | |
|
A great movie. You should rent this right away but I think after seeing it 4 times...It's getting quite boring. A very good story. For once there's no ecchi-ness in this anime! The music is great also. Some very good instrumental comes at the right time and flows well with the ambiance. It's easily on my Top 10 favorite Anime Movies. Last updated Tuesday, July 22 2003. | ||||||||
| ||||||||
| Buy | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Anonymous #864 | # |
|
It's Studio Ghibli, enough said.
Last updated Sunday, July 20 2003. | ||||||||
| ||||||||
| Rent | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | bekku | # | |
|
i rented this at my local video place and it was a wonderful movie to view. the basic storyline was well written and the art was pretty good except for a few parts that were just EXTREMELY exaggerated. i mean...an arrow can't possibly remove a whole limb from a human body unless it's a pretty damn huge arrow. that part was kind of funny, yet a like over done to me ^__^; well, the interesting creatures in the movie were quite delightful, like the little woodland creatures that often click their little heads were so addictive to watch. they must make a bobblehead thing of those for personal enjoyment ^____^; Last updated Sunday, June 29 2003. | ||||||||
| ||||||||
| Watch | 9 | 7 | 4 | 8 | 3 | 3 | Mallow_Toxicant | # |
|
Hmm, what can I say... I was disappointed. It tried very hard to be a drama, but lost most of its impact to its weak cast; it may have tried to make a point, but failed to make much of a point other than that some things are bad, some things are good, and some things may even have both. How very profound. Even though the art was impressive and the art of the animation was better than that of most anime, the characters were some of the most annoying I've encountered in an anime, and often their vaious designs seemed to be incongrous. The protagonist is a very interesting and likable guy, and I wanted to be swept up into his personal quest. However, I loathed most of the other characters. From the boggly-headed villagers to the annoyingly choleric Mononoke, they all grated on my nerves untill I hoped that Mononoke would get eaten by the spirit of the forest. The plot, which wasn't that astounding anyway, seemed at times to be secondary to characters yelling angrily at each other. But hey, the art is pretty darn good, if not amazing. And you'll probably like it; almost everyone seems to. I don't know why... NOTE: If you understand Japanese, I envy you. The English cast was awful, and I don't know enough Japanese to go with original dialogue (and couldn't make myself watch it *again* with subtitles). Last updated Sunday, June 15 2003. | ||||||||
| ||||||||
| Buy | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | poneru | # | |
|
This was a wonderful movie. It was beautiful in every aspect. I think anyone with any sort of inclination toward anime should go aout and by this exeptional piece of work.
Last updated Friday, June 06 2003. | ||||||||
| ||||||||
| Buy | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 8 | ford4ever | # |
|
princess mononoke is good movie. but giving it a perfect 10 is a little much. the animation is amazing yet im not a huge fan of miyazakes style. the story is where this movie kind of faulters. the tale of animals vrs. humans fuels a plot about the dangers of hatred. it's not really all that complicated and thats what i don't like. i like plot twists and intrigue which this has some of. it really gets interesting with the monk. but i could do with out the constant referance to ahitakas curse. over all this movie is a very good movie thats worth a buy. however the blockbuster cast, excellence yet different in animation and the awsome battle scenes got bogged down by the story. i liked it alot but a perfect 10? no. theres alot better anime out there. princess mononoke's candle flickers in the devine wind of the rurouni kenshin ova. good but not spectacular.
Last updated Wednesday, April 30 2003. | ||||||||
| ||||||||
| Buy | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | AstroNerdBoy | # | |
|
I think this is the first anime title that I would have loved to have seen on the big screen in theaters. As usual, Miyazaki's attention to detail are just awesome, however, of the movies I've seen thus far, this one takes the cake (so far). The beauty of some of the landscapes was increadible and even Iron Town was given a certain dark beauty to it. Very impressive!
Story-wise, the title may be Princess Mononoke, but she's not the central character. She's (also known as San) a very important part of the story as she represents nature. However, the main character is a young prince named Ashitaka. He sets out on a journey to discover what turned a god boar into a demon creature after he was infected with a curse. The other central character is Lady Eboshi who runs Iron Town. As is typcical in most of Miyazaki's films, this one is preachy and contains a lot of leftist views. The movie started of seeming like an anti-capitallist/ant There is a slight romantic element between San and Ashitaka, but nothing deep or mushy. It plays off naturally and it made me smile at the end. Also, Ashitaka's decision at the end of the movie surprised me to a degree as I keep expecting a hard-left political statement. However, Miyazaki's conclusion is that both sides are neither wrong nor right and he doesn't slam capitalism, industrialism, or the advancement of humans technologically. Bottom line: Beautiful art and animation combined with a very interesting story and nicely developed characters make this a worthy addition to anyones movie (or anime) collection. Last updated Wednesday, March 19 2003. | ||||||||
| ||||||||
| Buy | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | AntitrustSpider | # |
|
I heard about this movie from a friend. I bought it without really knowing anything about it and I wasn't disappointed. I thought it was a great movie, with great animation, and a great nature based story.
Last updated Sunday, February 16 2003. | ||||||||
| ||||||||
| Buy | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 8 | Sesen Kelader | # |
|
As usual, Mononokehime's music is made by Joe (this is a Japanese name) and as usual is great. As usual, the main actress still has the similar-feature face. As usual, the humans and the nature interact with one each other greatly. The inharmony between humans and the nature is frequently the object in Miyazaki's animes. Mononokehime brings it to another level. The cause of the evil is made by man, yet the evil origins from the nature. Implicitly it expresses the idea that humans and the nature are one, are inseparable. While humans try to live better and seize resources so much that it greatly harms other life, the Nature on the other hand repels and tries to get the resources that do not only belong to humans back. Between this negative interaction, "evilness" comes out as the result of greed, desire, violence, pride, and selfishness. Mononokehime includes these kind of senses in its scenes. Neither sides of the Nature and humans are right or wrong. The wrong is that each does not respects the other and causes catastrophic devasation. Miyazaki's anime often expresses the idea that to live in harmony is the best and vital way for men and the Nature and also gives the idea that there is always hope and solution for the wrongdoing, as long as one wants to and tries to find. Last updated Thursday, January 02 2003. | ||||||||
| ||||||||
| Rent | 8 | 9 | 78 | 8 | 6 | 8 | Ðå kïÐ | # |
|
The movie was one of the best i've seen give it watch it is really ok, this was the first anime i've watched (just started watching) and its and ok flick to watch here and there if u want a good i mean a really good anime check out vampire hunter D: bloodlust and ghost in the shell.
Last updated Monday, December 23 2002. | ||||||||
| ||||||||
| Rent | Nyuu-chan | # | ||||||
|
This is a pretty darn good film whose shining virtues have been extolled at great length in the above reviews, but it just didn't quite hit the mark for me. Sure, it looked great and had some interesting plot concepts and characters, but overall, the film piles on Miyazaki's opinions on environmentalism a little thick. Too much for me, at least. Don't get me wrong: it's good to see a movie with some brains every now and then, but, if you're like me, you want to be entertained by a flick and not beaten about the head and neck with its "message." However, I still love Mr. Miyazaki (Kariosutoro no Shiro makes my list of Top Ten Greatest Movies Ever Made, Animated or Otherwise) and, even thought I disagree with some of his opinions, I will fight to the death in order preserve his right to share them with others. So, with that in mind, I implore you to go rent Princess Mononoke and, hopefully, you'll enjoy it more than I did.
Last updated Monday, January 14 2002. | ||||||||
| ||||||||
| Buy | Atsumi_Yamaki | # | ||||||
|
This was so great I couldn't even rate it. I loved it. It is an anime master peice. There is action a very tiny bit of romance violence a little bit of every thing.
Last updated Friday, January 11 2002. | ||||||||
| ||||||||
| Buy | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | Courtney | # | |
|
TOTAL GRADE: 96% A Animation doesn't get more breathtaking than this. PRINCESS MONONOKE reshapes our perception of things around us in a visual and spiritual way and I feel nothing but pity for a soul who isn't moved by at least SOMETHING in this epic. This is a film that spans so many genres of anime that it makes it near impossible for someone not to appricate it. The action is not overblown or drawn out, rather needed and expected from the story. None the less, most anime fans will be hard pressed to find conflicts as beautiful, tragic, and impressive as those in PRINCESS MONONOKE . The characters are masterfully developed and have a breath of life to them. Each have their own struggle and agenda which blurs the lines between who is "Good" and who is "Evil" if there is such a thing in this story since all seem to be working for an end that sounds reasonable enough (Well...maybe not the monk). The animation itself is reason enough to at least rent the movie and I promise it won't disappoint. PRINCESS MONONOKE is and will remain one of the universal examples of anime. If only more animes (hell movies) could be as beautiful and well-written as this. Anyone who knows that there's more to anime than Sailor Moon, Pokemon, and Draganball Z (no insult intended for any of those titles)will be moved somewhere deeply by this movie, if not by the story, then by the divine visual affect or stunning bouts of action. See PRINCESS MONONOKE by any means you can. Other tales of the human spirit: GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES Last updated Tuesday, December 04 2001. | ||||||||
| ||||||||
| Buy | 10 | 10 | 5 | 8 | 10 | Midnighter | # | |
|
OK, first off, to everyone who says I'm not a true Otaku cuz I call it "Princess Mononoke" instead of "Mononoke Hime":Screw you. Princess Mononoke is truly an inpired and awe-inspiring work of art. State of the art animation, great characters, and a great, environmentalist story make this a really enjoyable anime. I'm not a big fan of Miyazaki's character design style, and Mononoke is no exception. The characters all look like Miyazaki's other characters and they all look as though they could come from any of his films, just change the names. I suppose it's merely a matter of preference. The beautiful animation sucks the viewer right into the story so that one can almost smell the wet, lush forest. The painted backgrounds match anything Disney has put out, and the CG is usually unnoticable. Beautiful, subdued orchestrated music prompted me to buy the soundtrack. An intricate, intelligent story follows characters that are neither distinctly "good" or "bad" and this interesting lack of a true villian was so much better than the usual good and evil battles. All sides have their reasons, and the audience can, if not sympathize, at least see where everyone is coming from. What's wrong with being political? Mononoke has a great political message about coexistance with the natural world, more power to 'em. (Then again, I AM a bleeding heart, tree hugging liberal, so it tended to agree with my views) People seem to be a bit harsh on Mononoke, I guess because of all the hype surrounding it. I feel that for the most part, because of the reasons stated above, Mononoke deserves the hype. The ending was a little disappointing at first, as it's a tiny bit anti-climactic and rather emotionally detached. But I still loved this film. And I'm still gonna call it Princess Mononoke. Just because it pisses so many American "otaku" off. Last updated Monday, December 03 2001. | ||||||||
| ||||||||
| Rent | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | V-babe | # |
|
Mononoke Hime was an OK anime. It definatly could have been better if they went into the relationships and personalities more. I didn't really enjoy it, and it wasn't entertaining. The animation and art could have definatly been better. If you're looking for a drama with a teensy bit of romance and some action check it out. Otherwise, this one is better left alone. P.S. I agree with The Coyote about it being politically centered. Last updated Sunday, November 11 2001. | ||||||||
| ||||||||
| Avoid | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Kaneda | # | |
|
I heard so much about this anime how it was so great and how its one of the most inspired anime of all time. Frankly I was quite dissapointed. since everyone here seems to love it I'll give it more try, stay tuned .. i guess. Last updated Wednesday, September 05 2001. | ||||||||
| ||||||||
| Buy | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | X | # | |
|
WOW. I don't know why rent is the overall score but this is an exceptional movie. The characters are so well done you feel for them and a part of them represents you. I really love how there are no bad guys whatsoever. Everyone has their flaws and bad side. The music was amazing, really giving that spiritual edge. And the animation, Miyazaki has really outdone himself and could not have done it better. So smooth, so detailed, so beautiful. The theme is amazing, the ambiguity of the theme is amazing. It just adds more to the movie. Is the movie about man vs. nature, is it about pride, is it about man losing their spriritual sense, violence and its consequences, politics? The list goes on and on, and as you watch more, there are more things revealed each time. This makes sense why this has been #1 on the list in Japan. It was plain amazing. So sad America had to endure anime in the form of Pokemon instead of the way true anime was meant to be. I suggest buying this right... NOW.
Last updated Monday, March 26 2001. | ||||||||
| ||||||||
| Rent | 8 | 8 | 7 | Black Panther | # | |||
|
I was not to suprised with this anime, I found it entertaining, but not something i would watch over and over. It did have some entertaining value dont get me wrong, but coyote is right all the way, when he states it was more political then anything else. It has a lot to do with Gods being animals and the war between "mother nature" and man. So if you go for this sort of thing, by all means get it. I would not rate this as a show for kids.
Last updated Tuesday, February 20 2001. | ||||||||
| ||||||||
| Watch | 6 | 6 | 7 | CatWoman | # | |||
|
This was an O.k. movie. It's plot was not profound in anyway! The Charicters were...diffrent. I would not sujest buying it or really even renting it. If its on T.V. by all means watch it, if there isn't anything better on.
Last updated Friday, February 09 2001. | ||||||||
| ||||||||
| Buy | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 9 | Dr.Yoshi | # | |
|
I got this DVD for Christmas. And I have to say that this is a must for all anime lovers. This is a must for anyone who just likes great movies. With some of the best animation I've seen, a wonderful story line, and great characters (Ashitaka, and Mononoke rule!) this movie will go down in history. There is a spiritual feeling to this movie that is not seen in most films today, much less most anime. If I had to recommend one anime to watch this would be it. I think one thing I liked about this story was that there (well to me) was really no set villain. Many people I know tend to think that Lady Eboshi is the main villain of the movie. However I don't believe that to be true. This movie speaks on many leaves of many different people, and the lines of what is right or wrong, are blurred. This movie also opens up other doors if you know and understand many religious beliefs of many Japanese people. However I am not a Shinto priest so I shouldn't go on about it. But a side from all of that Mononoke Hime is just plain great film making. Don't miss this one folks. Last updated Sunday, December 31 2000. | ||||||||
| ||||||||
| Rent | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | The Coyote | # | |
|
This was an enjoyable epic but perhaps I was expecting to much. I didn't see so much a spiritual show as a political show. Now I certianly agree with the message perhaps I just prefer my movies to just entertain me not sway my politcal veiws. This is an envormentalist show, heavly so if you ask me. so I found it disapointing. that is not to say that its not worth seeing it was still entertaining and griping definatly worth seeing I do recomend it.
Last updated Wednesday, December 27 2000. | ||||||||
| ||||||||
| Buy | 10 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | skyknyt | # |
|
One of the single best anime features I have seen. This movie EASILY rivals the excitement and epic adventure of a hollywood movie, but actually has a beautiful story and characters behind it. A must watch feature, too bad such a great film was practically thrown away in favor of the Pokemon movie, it could have been the biggest film of the year.
Last updated Saturday, April 29 2000. | ||||||||
| ||||||||
Other Sites
| Name | URL |
|---|---|
| Official Ghibli Web Site | http://www.nausicaa.net/miyazaki/mh |
| |
