 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Princess Mononoke
- Review Date: March 2, 2005
- PG-13
- Genre: Fantasy
- 1999
Common Sense Media says
Epic, compelling, and violent anime.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie is darker and more intense than many of Hayao Miyazaki's other classics. Although it's an animated fantasy, it boasts the scope and grandeur of a live-action historical epic and has many battle scenes and other violent sequences, as well as additional gruesome elements. While it's probably too much for most tweens, older kids will be thrilled and engrossed, and teens will love it.
What's the story?
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 to stop Lady Eboshi and the corrupt monk Jigo from waging war on the animals.
Is it any good?
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. 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 question of its suitability for children will spark debate, although children who see it will not soon forget it.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about the role of violence in the film and in real life. How does the impact of the violence in this movie compare to live-action films?
What audience do you think this movie is most likely to appeal to? Why? Who do you think it's intended for?
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Parent of 4 year old
October 18, 2009
AGE
Miyazaki's masterpiece
I love this movie. So does my four year old son -- but he has very advanced tastes and is not easily frightened. ("It's just a movie, Mommy," complete with eye roll.) The violence is pretty intense and the resolution is rather subtle. My son had to see the movie many times before he really understood what happens to the forest spirit in the end.
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Parent of 3 and 14 year old
December 10, 2010
AGE
BEST ANIME MOVIE EVER!!!
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Parent
August 15, 2009
AGE
Very violent compared to other Miyazaki masterpieces
Princess Mononoke is one of my top ten favorite movies, ever. Intelligent characters, amazing concepts, gorgeous scenery. No irredeemable villains; only imperfect souls trying to do their best in a difficult world.
This film contains many scenes of violence, including death, dismemberment, blood, and decaying corpses. Over the next few years my kids will see every Miyazaki film; Nausicaa and Mononoke will be saved for last.
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Parent of 17 year old
September 27, 2009
AGE
good for everyone but is violent at times
again one of the finest work of Mr.Miyazaki. bit violent though but movie conveys extremely high regards for nature and our system of balance with it with beautiful imagination and epic story.
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Parent of 1, 7, and 8 year old
August 23, 2009
AGE
Best movie in the world!!!!!
Awesome movie!!!!!!
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Kid, 12 years old
September 18, 2010
AGE
Violent, but easy to handle for any mature child.
The biggest concerns are that there is a lot of violence. Limbs cut off, heads shot off, a frightening scene of a severely wounded boar turning into a demon which makes it covered in writhing worms and coughing up gallons of blood. There's a lot more where that came from! The violence. however, is not over the top. My 8 year old brother could actually watch it comfortably, and likes it a lot. Parents, you should probably watch it first before showing it to children 10 and under.
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Teen, 15 years old
July 16, 2010
AGE
tweens and teens will like this
This was very entertaining, but I don't think it is suitable for 9-year-olds.
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Teen, 16 years old
May 31, 2010
AGE
Best Man vs. nature/Man film by Miyazaki-sama
Can it get any better? Humans and gods who want peace, but know they must protect the forest. A woman who wants to industralize the world but must kill a god to do so. Complete man vs. nature and man; or possibly a higher power. Violent, but not overdone, some cursing but that isn't upsetting. The story is dark for younger kids, and it may be scary when a demon comes running out of the woods covered in squirming worms. That, or the giant god that kills people when they harm it. I'm not spoiling it, just warning about what you will see. A bit complex, so not quiet for younger viewers, but it is awesome.
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Kid, 12 years old
June 11, 2010
AGE
NO way is it for 9 year olds.
I loved the movie but 9+ are you joking it is for 12 year olds without a doubt although maybe 11 year olds could watch it depending on the kid the boar scene NO WAY and when the guys head gets his head cut off by the demon arrow ,the role models are good though.
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Teen, 13 years old
October 13, 2010
AGE
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| Studio: | Miramax |
| Director: | Hayao Miyazaki |
| Cast: | Akira Nagoya, Yoji Matsuda, Yuriko Ishida |
| Genre: | Fantasy |
| Run time: | 133 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | January 1, 1999 |
| DVD release date: | July 20, 2000 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | images of violence and gore |
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