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Spirited Away DVD (Hyb)
Daniel Celano - Jan 19 2003 Rating: Wonderful! Just magical... It doesn't have robots, guns or sword fighting. It doesn't run at breakneck speed or have nasty villains. It's just a very gentle and magical tail. The animation is easily as good as "Mononoke Hime" and the characters as well developed. Quinn Gates - Jan 20 2003 Rating: Wonderful! The amazing Mr. Miyazaki certainly outdid himself... again I saw spirited away back in september, being a huge miyazaki fan, and it was amazing... great characters, great plot, no wonder it won so many awards. The story revolves around typical Chihiro although somewhat of a brat. shes moving to a new town, but winds up going to some alternate world. She must work at a bath house to earn her freedom from the witch Yubaba... oh what am i saying? see the movie yourself. oh yes you will see it. i know you will. Devi Ji - Feb 4 2003 Kumari Devi@aol.com Rating: Wonderful! The adventures of an innocent child pressed into white slavery. Spirited Away is the story of an unsupervised ten year old Girl who is Abducted into service for the Carnal gratification of the patrons of the Abura-ya Bath house. She is recruited by the street savvy 13 yr. boy and bath house manager Haku, for the Madam of the House, Yubaba. He then promptly DRUGS her to bend the child to acquiesce in his animalistic desires. The child eventually however, "turns the table" using newly awakened prepubescent powers to enslave not only the boy but the entire house staff and fabulously wealthy patrons, all who she wraps around her seductive little finger. Rated PG.: Graphic Blood and copious bodily fluids. © DEVI**** Sara F. Ley - Feb 12 2003 Rating: Wonderful! If you thought Princess mononoke was good you have got to see Spirited Away!!!!! If you thought Princess Mononoke was good you have got to see Spirited Away, it is by far the best of Hayao Miyazaki's work!!!!!!!! Nellie King - Mar 28 2003 Rating: Wonderful! Well worthy of all the awards it holds under it's belt! This movie is great! It has won numerous awards, and for good reason. Although I'm not Japanese, and many of the cultural aspects of the movie are strange and new to me, I absolutly loved it! Once again the artwork just blows you away, and why wouldn't it? It was created by the same guy who made Princess Mononoke! ^_^ Well worth checking out, although I must say it is a better experience when seen in a theater. john m. henry - Apr 12 2003 CowboyBebop2004@hotmail.com Rating: Wonderful! Wow is one word for this movie This is a must see for all anime lovers.One think that makes this movie good is it story plot.The story plot blew me away.The voice were pretty good.It's the best anime this year. Mojo Shojo - Apr 15 2003 Rating: Wonderful! Fantastic! I have already paid to see this 3 times in theaters, if that says anything... :) A beautiful movie. (Four stars) Jon F. Turner - Apr 16 2003 JonT1982@AOL.com Rating: Wonderful! Bursting with visuals, spectacular sound, and excellent extras. A must get. Hayao Miyazaki's films are well known in Japan, but America has had little exposure to its films. PRINCESS MONONOKE received an excellent DVD release from Miramax three years ago, and just last year Fox Video released a barebones version of MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO, but other than these two films (as well as THE CASTLE OF CAGLIOSTRO), the catalog of Miyazaki's films on DVD has been rather skimpy. All of that is about to change, however, for Disney is (finally!) bringing Miyazaki's titles to the U.S. on DVD –– especially now that they have just been issued in Japan. And what better choices to start out with rather than three of his most popular (and most requested) films — SPIRITED AWAY, KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE, and CASTLE IN THE SKY? This review focuses on one of these three titles — SPIRITED AWAY, currently the highest grossing movie in Japan, surpassing that of Miyazaki's own PRINCESS MONONOKE and TITANIC. It has earned raves all around the world since then; the film earned many prestigious awards, including the Golden Bear Award at the Berlin Film Festival--as well as Miyazaki's very first Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film of 2002. And no wonder. The movie, like Miyazaki's other achievements, is yet another classic in the Miyazaki canon. And the DVD treatment Disney gave this film truly does show that the Mouse House respects the Master Animator of Japan. Given that I was so impressed with Disney's visual transfer of PRINCESS MONONOKE, I expected nothing less than similar excellence for the rest of his films. These expectations are nearly completely fulfilled. The backdrops, characters and scenery all stand out in full gorgeous splendor. There was a strong issue about red tint on the Japanese DVD release, but thankfully I am pleased to assure you that this problem is not at all apparent on the US version. The transfer only gets half a star off due to some extremely minor compression artifacts and occasional bleeding, but this feels like shameless nitpicking, especially when the video quality is so beautiful. In addition, on the Japanese language track, the credits and titles are identical to those on the original un–dubbed print ala PRINCESS MONONOKE. The audio departure includes both the English and Japanese soundtracks in Dolby 5.1 Sound, plus a 2.0 French language track. I've only spotchecked the Japanese track and heard the English, but I'm still happy to say that these audio tracks score. The music comes across magnificently in the speakers and the dialogue and sound effects are wonderfully mixed. Simply superb quality. I only spotchecked the Japanese language track, but it sounded solid from what I could hear. Plus, given that it's a recent film, it shouldn't come across as surprising that a 5.1 Dolby Surround track would be recorded for the DVD. There are, of course, fans who shouted for a DTS or a 6.1 mix (similar to the Japanese release), but fans still should be pleased that Disney included this track on all its Miyazaki DVDs. It's a miracle this movie ever made it to the United States... and got dubbed, too. Disney didn't want to buy the U.S. rights for theatrical distribution or DVD release, but thankfully they reconsidered. And it's all thanks to John Lasseter, a longtime fan of Miyazaki (and director of many PIXAR productions, most notably TOY STORY, A BUG'S LIFE, and MONSTERS INC.). Not only did he help support the film's release, he also worked on the English dub together with Kirk Wise, co-director for Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. And the dubbing is phenomenal, ranking up there with Disney's previous dubs for Miyazaki's films. Daveigh Chase, who played Lilo in Disney's recent hit LILO AND STITCH, is wonderful as Chihiro; she SOUNDS like a scared, sweet, and brave little girl. I've always had fondness for Jason Marsden's voice work as Max in A GOOFY MOVIE, but I think his performance as Haku is his best voice role ever. Similarly excellent performances can be heard from Susan Egan (Lin), David Ogden Stiers (Kamaji), and John Ratzenberger (Assistant Manager). However, I think Suzanne Pleshette is the highlight of the show; she plays Yubaba's greedy, loud-mouthed nature, pampering maternal side to her baby, and her twin sister, Zeniba (who, by the way, is the opposite of Yubaba -- she is IDEALLY Granny!) to perfection. I could not have imagined a better English dub even after spotchecking the original Japanese language, but Lasseter, Wise, and his team deserve special credit for their work on this film. I didn't listen to the French language track yet, so I cannot make any comments on it. Of the three Miyazaki DVDs Disney has released, SPIRITED AWAY features the best packaging. Not only are there mention of Miyazaki's name and Studio Ghibli galore, there is a charming pamphlet that features written words from Miyazaki himself about the film! (This is truly a wonderful bonus.) Oh, and I just LOVE the background images they chose for the packaging—it recaptures the surreal, almost nightmarish atmosphere of the film to perfection. Maybe not as in-depth as I would have liked, but still first-class all around. For better or worse, the menus share the same ups and downs with each of the two Miyazaki releases. The full-motion menus are absolutely gorgeous, but the transition shot involving Chihiro and a dragon crashing through an air vent gets old and redundant fast. In addition, you have to do some serious configuring with the controls to get it to play the Japanese titles and literal subtitles, but fortunately, you can change the subtitles (and the audio) on the fly. It seems as though future Disney/Ghibli US releases will contain from these similar characteristics, given that Disney has a notorious reputation for producing DVD menus this way. The extras department was the weakest section of the PRINCESS MONONOKE DVD, but here it is exactly the opposite. SPIRITED AWAY really got a lot of attention ever since it won the well-deserved Oscar, so it shouldn't be surprising that it has a lot of extras. The first one is a little less than promising — it's a 1:11 minute intro with John Lasseter, who actually looks a little depressed (although the shots with him and Miyazaki are a delight) and basically talks about his thoughts of the film. His intros on the other DVDs are much better (and shorter, too). Thankfully, the other extras are all five-star material. There's the fifteen minute "The Art Of SPIRITED AWAY" with excellent hosting from Jason Marsden and wonderful interview clips from the dubbing staff, (and yes, Miyazaki himself), as they talk about the making of the film and its release to the United States. Moving onto the second disc, there is the "Behind the Microphone" featurette which focuses on the dubbing of SPIRITED AWAY, and, yes, there are interviews with the cast members, including Suzanne Pleshette and Jason Marsden. My only complaint? It's too short! Five minutes just isn't enough! There is also a storyboard comparison sequence, which basically involves the opening of the film. Here, in this sequence you can use the alternate angle button to switch back and forth between the handdrawn storyboards and the finished film. Film buffs will note how slightly similar the storyboards are to the finished film. And, of course there are the Japanese theatrical trailers, and, my, what a whole bunch of them there are! This entire sequence runs for nearly half an hour! That's quite a long time, but Miyazaki fans should be in Heaven. But the last, and possibly best extra of all, is the forty-minute Nippon TV Special. Here we actually get to go BEHIND the scenes of SPIRITED AWAY, and see Miyazaki and his colleagues at work. There is so much to see in this featurette — the early drawings, story meetings, animation sessions, sound recordings... and so much more. And it's all soft subtitled, too. All in all, this phenomenal DVD is a true treat for Miyazaki fans. So get it. Immediately. Zion Master - Apr 21 2003 Zionmaster01@hotmail.com Rating: Wonderful! Visual Extravaganza! Just finished watching this and all i can say is WoW. Believe the hype! This is so visually stunning you have to see to believe. Such imagination went into this words can't describe . What are you waiting for ?! GO BUY THIS NOW! Lewis M. Lowery - Jun 4 2003 loweryl@constellation.navy.mil Rating: "Okay." Not bad but kinda sorry / this is my first revew, Now i'm a man that likes fighting, droma, love, almost anything. but this one was a bit differint. now i got this when we hit are last port befor we got back home. i left befor i got to check it out. i knew it had so many good revews so i picked it up, thinking it will be good. not so as i though. now don't get me wrong. the animeashon in this is wonderful. the DVD is grate, it has everything every anime should have in it. but the story line is what got me going wrong. it started off ok; with a lill girl who was moveing to a new place with her family. being a only chiold shour made her a brat. well her dad gets lost and stuboles there family into a speait world. not that was ok. but when it got to the point where it was a twist betewn the wizerd of oz amd anime it got all wrong. the flow of the story is slow. like grave of the fire flys but not as deep. at first i felt as if this could be a droma. you know whith it haveing no actshon at all. well all i can say is this anime was not what i thought all the hipe will have been about. Music: the songs in this anime are good i will have to give it a 7 out of 10. but it only had like 3 songs playing though the hole move. animeashon: like i said befor this was good. i like how the small girl was skeched. the world is veary insperashinal. full of magic and flustered with shades and bright hues. i give it a 8. same with all his tipe of work. Dubbing: well the voice over was nice. they are perfictly in sink with the lip movement. and it souds some what close enough to be like the voice the caricter might have. so i give this a 9. the only thing i do not like is that the english dub added a few words to make the moive more understanding but it was still good. story: this was a bit shaky. not my thought of what it will have been like. the makers tryed to make it a bit funny and realistic as posibal. bothe of theys they have done so veary well. but the hole thought of a small girl lossing her mom and dad by them terning into pigs and working at a bath house. well this just dus not sit with me veary well. than it had so many other sub story lines going on at the same time. like the one with the no face man and the boy who is a white dragon. this was a veary imaginitive story but i say it could have been much better. it seemed to much like a kids flick. like the rest of his odd work. nice to watch but a ok perces. i give this a 5 out of 10. Last thought: good anime. much like the rest of the creaters works. but if you are looking for a realy good deep droma or something with a lot of actshon than this is not likely for you. realy i though the "his and her" anime was better than this. and that was just plane odd fun. Steven P - Jun 8 2003 steven_is_here_@hotmail.com Rating: "Okay." Storyu's been done beofre, upper end animation Think Labyrinth, only with a younger character, a spirited as opposed to david bowie, and animated as opposed to puppets. Raved because it's Miyazaki, But in all honesty, there could of been a LOT more Ryan S. Campbell - Jul 29 2003 rs Rating: Pretty good! very good, definitly worth seeing, just lacks originality. Spirited away is landmark animated film. It recieved the Japanese best picture of the year award, and took home the golden bear at the Berlin Film festival, and is still the highest grossing film for Japan to date. It begins a little slowly, with a young girl named Chihiro, who is moving to a new home with her parents. However, before they get there, her parents insist on stopping by a desserted Japanese Amusement park; which turns out to be inhabbited by spirits. Chihiro returns to find her parents have turned into pigs! She meets a young man named Haku, who tells her to find work at an Onsen (a Japanese Bath house) where she must wait, until she can find a way to get her parents back! With awesome visual effects, wonderful animation, and a good plot and theme, it seems as though the only basic thing Spirited Away is missing is originallity. We see the tale of a young girl traped in a fantasy land in which she wants nothing but to go home, with Alice through the Looking glass, and we see the thought of forcefully turing humans into animals in Pinocchio. All in all, Spirited Away is a movie that all the family can enjoy! Chrome Fox - Apr 19 2004 Rating: Wonderful! A Breathtaking Adventure... Spirited Away is a breathtaking adventure into the spirit world. The animation was excellent. Scenes and backrounds apear almost real in this terrific anime. It deserves every award it's won. A definite must-have for anyone's collection. R Colston - May 30 2004 theone_92277@yahoo.com Rating: Wonderful! Awesome This movie was off the chain. My nephew never sits still for anything, but he was in absolute aw when he watched this movie. My whole family loved it. This is one everyone should have. Buy it Buyit now!!!!! roosevelt colston - Feb 13 2006 theone_92277@yahoo.com Rating: Wonderful! WONDERful, simply smashing this movie was great, i have watched it a total of 7 times. the movie was so uplifting. this is definitely a must see. my nephew even stayed still for the whole movie and he never sits still to anything. i give this movie two thumbs up and encourage you and your kids to watch it. |
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