Usually I write articles on movies coming out on video, but I had no time to watch the movies coming out on Tuesday, September 7th. I did have the wonderful treat of watching a screening of Mirimax's release of Mononoke Hime (Princess Mononoke). Before I get into that, the movies that came in on Tuesday were The Other Sister, Urban Menace, Twin Dragons, Southie, and Sometimes They Come Back For More. Twin Dragons, Southie and The Other Sister look appealing.
Princess Mononoke is Mirimax's release of the most popular Japanese Animation of all time. It came out in Japan 2 years ago and will be hitting our theatres in October 29 (I think). It is the most expensive movie made by Japanese, surpassing Akira. It was the highest grossing movie in Japan, until Titanic hit its shores. Fortunately, Miramax won't be cutting any parts to this movie. It will be shown as its suppose to be.
Mononoke Hime was written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. One of the greatest writers and directors of Anime (Japanese Animation). My Neighbor Totoro is one of my most favorite movies of all time. He has become Disney's gateway to Anime. Disney, under Mirimax, will be in charge of distributing Miyazaki's works in the U.S. Miyazaki makes beautiful stories for children with adult themes. The animation is always to notch and the story line has a way of growing in you.
Mononoke Hime follows the story of a boy, Ashitaka, and his quest to remove a curse that is upon him. He got the curse by killing the Boar God, Tatari Gami, who full of hate and revenge has become evil. The curse is a mark on his hand that causes him much pain. Ashataki is part of a tribe of "rejects" living away from society and with the land (presumably).
Ashataki's quest leads him to Western Japan (I wonder, The West???) where he finds the problem. On this journey the curse has grown and he finds that it thrives on anger and hate. It gives his hand super powers. Unfortunaely he sometimes loses control when there is hatred in the air and he kills bad guys by shooting arrows through their throats.
In the West he finds Eboshi Gozen. She is in charge of Iron Town, a humanized descent society, where it doesn't matter what your past is, and your disabilities, everybody is human. The humans work together in harmony. Not to make humans too glorified, there is also the government, which portrays the people as killers.
Iron Town has a lot of wonderful humanizing ways, but they have forsaken the Earth. Gozen plans to kill all the Gods and destroy the forest in order to get more iron. One of the Gods, wolf God Moro, has a human adopted daughter, Princess Mononoke. The two sides have extreme hate for each other. This is the cause of Ashitaki's curse. Ashitaki works toward getting them to stop the cycle of violence.
The movie has an excellent story, A+, with great visuals A+, and sharp images A+. The best part are what I call the "Totoro trolls of the forest." They are funny and yet mysterious. Unfortunately, the detail is missing, A-. It looks like My Neighbor Totoro, where there is not much detail. Overall an A movie, a definite must. Please place movie as the first word of the subject.
Mononoke Hime was beautifully done. I cringe when I think of American Animation and how far they have to go. Princess Mononoke was made with adult content in mind. It is not for 5 year olds, maybe at ten (last I heard it will be PG13). The issues that are being dealt with are serious. American Animation have'nt done enough adult issues in their movies. I hope Disney, under Miramax would create at least one PG13 or R rated cartoon with a great story line. Animation allows the Japanes to create fantastic worlds and events. Having huge Animal Gods would pose problems for live action. Another thing are "camera tricks" which Japanese animators do. Camera tricks for animation, are you crazy PJ? Japanese animators realized that by adding problems related to filming, the movie has a more realistic feel to it. Examples are when the sun is at the top left, when filming you get a cascade of dots of light, or when moving a camara fast you get certain visuals that aren't in real life. Japanese Animators incorporate these into their movies. I wish the Japanese and Disney animators would get together and create a great epic. Disney artists are talented, but not used to their fullest extent. If you have any questions or comments email me at pj@wpi.edu.