Thursday, October 25, 2007

Princess Mononoke

This movie has become one of my favorite films by Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki, partially because it so different from the rest. Although it is a cartoon, Princess Mononoke is nothing less than an epic saga filled with armies, magical creatures, and a struggle to rule the world. The story follows Ashitaka, a prince of a small tribe who is mortally infected by a strange disease after defending his village from a corrupted animal god. Ashitaka leaves his people in search of a cure, traveling through war-torn lands and meeting people from all sides of a great brewing conflict. Some of the other characters include the leader of a mining operation, a group of men trying to kill the great god of the forest, and Princess Mononoke, a girl raised by wolves who fights the miners for control of the forest.

Ashitaka is only one small player in this story, but it is told from his perspective, drawing some comparisons to Star Wars. The story is just as sweeping as the space adventure, but they themes are different. The balance between industrialization and nature and technology and magic are prominent in the film. However, neither industry nor nature are portrayed as the "right" choice. Equally complex are the characters, many of whom are trying to kill each other and make terrible decisions. But Miyazaki makes each personality unique and nuanced -- there are no simple bad guys in this tale. Nor are there completely happy endings, although there is hope for peace and balance in the future.

Princess Mononoke is an excellent film, but be warned: it is not for small children. The level of gore and violence is much higher than your average cartoon, and it carries a PG-13 rating in the U.S. The action and thematic elements are worthy of a sprawling epic Hollywood film, but by rendering it in his gorgeous signature animation, Hayao Miyazaki has told an amazing story in a way that Hollywood never could.
∗∗∗1/2

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