I know what you're all probably thinking! Well, actually, let me rephrase that: half of you are probably screaming "NO! NO! THERE IS NO WAY YOU ARE REVIEWING A MIYAZAKI FILM!!!!! HOW DARE YOU TRY AND DO IT JUSTICE!!!! BLOOD! DEATH! MURDER! KILLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!"
Meanwhile, the other half of you are probably thinking, "What the hell is Princess Mononoke?" or "Who is this Miyazaki guy? Is he foreign?" Well, allow me to shed some light on this subject for those of you in the dark.
Hayao Miyazaki is a Japanese manga artist and film director. Even if you don't know who he is, you've more than likely heard of, or seen, his work. He has directed several anime films such as My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, Ponyo, and of course, Princess Mononoke.
Now, before I get on with the review, I have one thing that I need to say: there is no way in Heaven or Hell that I can possibly talk about this film and do it justice. His movies are truly an experience in every sense of the word. They cannot be simply reviewed, they have to be seen to truly believe.
I know it sounds like I'm making such a big deal out of all of this, but it really is something remarkable. Before today, I have never seen a Miyazaki film. Seeing a film of his for the first time is really something incredible. It will leave you speechless!
Now, as for Princess Mononoke, it really is a complex movie. It's very hard to describe what the plot is because it's so well woven together, like a fine, Japanese, silk kimono. (How's that for a simile?!)
At the surface, Princess Mononoke is a fantasy film. It may not seem like it's that impressive. However, if we look a little deeper, we can see that there is more to this film than a standard fantasy plot about a boy who has to save the world. This movie is also an environmental film.
Now, before you all fly to Tokyo and stake Miyazaki for making a film about the environment, let's just say, it doesn't suck. Even though the environmental message is a little bit preachy, it's not nealy as preachy as other animated films like Ferngully or An Inconvenient Truth. Also, it's an anti-war movie.
Now, before you all go out to do some dive-bombing on Japan, let's be clear here. This movie came out in 1997 before Avatar. Ironically enough, Titanic, also by James Cameron, came out that same year. This film was the one that trumped Princess Mononoke's box-office numbers. But, let's face it, Jim. Miyazaki did it first! And he did it WAY fucking better than you did!
However, unlike Avatar, we get to see both sides of the conflict as our hero, Ashitaka, takes his journey across the land. We understand that the humans only want to protect themselves from the evils in the forest and stay alive by producing goods for the Empire, while San and the other creatures of the forest want it to prosper. Both depend on something and are willing to fight and die for control of it. In fact, that's how most wars throughout history have started!
The movie does a very good job at not showing vias or prejudice to one group or the other. Sure, this type of premise has been done before, but what makes it all the more special is the characters. Yoy really care for all of them. Even the ones who are more-or-less the villains are very sympathetic. They care about others.
For instance, Lady Eboshi, the mistress of Iron Town, wants to kill the forest spirit who brings life to the forest so she can find a cure for her workers stricken with Leprosy. What ultimately is an evil act, she does it with the best of intentions. This really doesn't make her the bad guy. I really like sympathetic or tragic villains, like Rameses from Prince of Egypt or King Claudius from Hamlet. That way you know, they're still human.
Now, the story is very well told, but it all means shit if you don't have the visuals to back it up. All I gotta say about that is this: ...wow. Just, wow! I think is goes without saying, but the visuals for all of Miyazaki's work are breathtaking to behold. Hell, I'd go as far to say that it's down right inspired! As an artist myself, I can appreciate good artwork when I see it; and the visuals just make the movie all the more breathtaking.
So, in conclusion, if you have not yet seen a Miyazaki film in your life, you definitely should. Maybe start with this or Spirited Away, his only movie to win an American Academy Award. All I can say is you won't be disappointed.
And as for the rabid Miyazaki fans: Did I at least do a fair enough job describing the experience of this movie?
Fan #1: HE FORGOT TO MENTION THE ALLEGORICAL MEANING OF THE FOREST SPIRIT!
Fan #2: Kill 'im!
*load weapons*
Oh, shit...
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