Common Sense Note
Parents should know that this movie may just be the Japanese feature that changes how animation is viewed in this country. Japan's most popular Japanese film in history, it boasts the scope and grandeur of a live action historical epic yet also has the fantastic elements of animation. But because of its violence, parents may want to carefully consider at what age its appropriate for their children to see the film. It may be too violent for most 6- and 7 year-olds, but many mature 8-year-olds, both boys and girls, will be happy their parents let them see this film. Parents may balk at the violent battles and gruesome elements, but most older kids will be thrilled and engrossed throughout. Teens will love it and urge their friends to see it. Many grown-ups may not be equipped to grasp some of the mystical elements, such as the majestic Forest Spirit.
Families who view this film may want to discuss the role of violence in the film and in real life.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Brian Camp
Princess Mononoke is a masterwork of animated storytelling from Hayao Miyazaki, the director of My Neighbor Totoro and Kiki's Delivery Service. Charting an epic battle of humans versus gods in old Japan, it's filled with adventure and beauty. The question of its suitability for children will spark debate, although children who see it will not soon forget it.
In 15th century Japan, Ashitaka, a young prince from a remote tribe, is cursed by a dying boar god from the forest region of western Japan. His journey to the source of the curse takes him to Iron Town. There Lady Eboshi runs an operation that smelts ore taken from the surrounding mountains once dominated by wolves and boars. Ashitaka is drawn to San, a girl raised by wolves. Together they work to try and stop Lady Eboshi and the corrupt monk Jigo from waging war on the animals.
It boasts the scope and grandeur of a live action historical epic yet also has the fantastic elements of animation. These elements, in the form of talking animals and a magical forest spirit, are treated with utmost realism. The animals debate their plight with dead seriousness and attack humans in murderous rage. They're nothing like the talking animals in Disney features.
The English dub employs several name actors. They all do a splendid job, which can only help the film's acceptance. The only awkward note is sounded by the mix of accents among the cast, from Lady Eboshi's British accent (Minnie Driver) to the monk Jigo's southern accent (Billy Bob Thornton) to San's modern American teenaged inflections (Claire Danes). Billy Crudup has a neutral accent and carries the entire film as Ashitaka, conveying the moral dilemma of a young outsider caught between two worlds. The other name players include Gillian Anderson as the wolf god Moro, Jada Pinkett-Smith as Toki, and Keith David as boar god Okkoto.
The movie has many elements in common with Miyazaki's earlier movies, notably Nausicaa in the Valley of Wind (1984), a tale of a princess in a devastated future. Similarities with the two earlier Miyazaki movies currently available on video in this country, My Neighbor Totoro and Kiki's Delivery Service, include their spunky heroines and an awe of nature's power. Fans of Mononoke should seek out the earlier movies, while fans of the earlier movies should definitely seek out Mononoke.
Rate It!
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ViolenceThe boar god who dies in the opening scene is covered in swirling snakes. When it dies, it decomposes down to its skeleton in seconds. Battle scenes involving samurai bandits include shots of dismemberment and decapitation. The boar gods die gruesome deaths. Blood is visible when characters are wounded. All presented in the context of a violent era involving warring factions and a life-or-death struggle between man and animal. |
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