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Friday, May 2, 2008

Friday Movie Review - Spirited Away


The month of MAY is going to be MIYAZAKI MONTH here on Tybalt's Take. I have already reviewed two of Miyazaki's movies, and if you missed them or want to refresh yourself on them, you can click on their links below to read the reviews.

Today's review is on "Spirited Away," a film that won Miyazaki an Oscar for Best Animated Feature in 2003.
Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki
Screenplay by: Hayao Miyazaki

"Spirited Away" has been described as Miyazaki's take on "Alice in Wonderland." Chihiro and her family are moving to a new city, forcing Chihiro to leave her friends behind. On the way to their new house, her father decides to stop at what appears to be an abandoned theme park. After exploring for a bit, they discover an empty restaurant filled with delicious-smelling food. Her parents have no problem with going ahead and digging in, but Chihiro feels uneasy and refuses to eat. Exploring on her own, Chihiro meets a mysterious boy who warns her that her and her parents must leave before night falls - and just as he tells her, dusk falls! Chihiro rushes back to her parents, only to find them turned into pigs, and what once seemed to be an abandoned park is really a resort for spirits!

Chihiro is frightened, and finds herself lost in the resort with no way back to her own world. The mysterious boy again appears and helps her. Haku (the boy) advises her to seek employment at the resort's bathhouse, in order to buy herself time to find a way to help her parents and return them all to their own world. Once a sulking and frightened schoolgirl, Chihiro soon grows into a courageous heroine, willing to risk everything for the people she loves.

I give "Spirited Away" two paws up and a purr. The animation is gorgeous, the soundtrack is beautiful, and much attention is given to character growth as we see Chihiro develop and mature as a person. There are all sorts of wonderful and strange creatures from Japanese mythology, including a gorgeous dragon! I think this is a wonderful film for kitties and kittens to watch together - hopefully with a warm bean's lap to curl up in and a tub of popcorn to crunch!

12 meows:

Dragonheart, Merlin, Devi, and Chloe said...

That sounds like a wonderful animated film! If there's a dragon in it, I have to see it! - Dragonheart

The Misadventures Of Me said...

ooooooooo Mommy Bean has been lookin at that at the store, but she was unsure of how good it was. She says now she's gots to at least rent it to see. (That means more cuddle time for me!)

Figaro the Therapy Cat said...

that sounds grate! I have only seen Howls Moving cassle of that guys moovies and I thinked it was good.
veronica

PB 'n J said...

That's one of our Daddy's favorite movies!

Mr. Echo said...

That's a moovie me and Daddy wood like a lot! Yesturday I watched an old moovie with mommy. "Midnight" with Clawdette Colbert, Don A'Meechie and John Barrymore. It was made in 1939 and its blak and wite like my sisfur Tenny. It wuz funny and romantik. Yoo shood see it!

Anonymous said...

We've never heard of this, but Mom says she'll keep her eyes open for it!

Samantha & Mom said...

Wowie! Sounds like a wonderful Movie Tybalt! I'll have to get Mom to rent it so we can all watch it. Wanna come over this weekend for a picnic at the beach?
Nosekisees,
Sammie-Pie

Mickey's Musings said...

That sounds interesting! Might have to check that one out! Thanks :)
Purrs Mickey

Karen Jo said...

That sounds like an intriguing movie. I'll keep an eye out for it.

Tommy and Teaghan said...

My beans are not one for watching movies but dat one sounds like a good one. Maybe we could try some popcorn.

Anita said...

Ohhh tis film is wonderfurrrrr. Here, in Spain, it´s name "El viaje de Chihiro"

Mark's Mews (Marley, Lori, Loki, and Binq) said...

I've seen that on TV 3 times, and it was just as fascinating the 3rd time. Unfortunately, I always missed the beginning and am glad to read how the predicament came about!

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