Princess Mononoke

Voices of: Yoji Matsuda, Billy Crudup, Billy Bob Thornton, Minnie Driver, John DiMaggio, Claire Danes, Jada Pinkett Smith, Gillian Anderson, Keith David, Tara Strong
Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
1997

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: A prince (Yoji Matsuda/Billy Crudup) embarks a perilous journey to find a cure for a demon's curse, which threatens his life.

Review:

Tim: I'm not especially well-versed in the Studio Ghibli films, nor in the fantastic worlds Hayao Miyazaki creates. I really enjoyed Spirited Away, but that has really been the extent of my exposure. I truly believe Princess Mononoke is something special. It's not a flawless movie, but it does so much right, crafts such a memorable, powerful experience, that it achieves what so few films are able to manage- greatness. The journey Miyazaki takes us on is a fantastic, unexpected one.

In many ways, Princess Mononoke reminds me of video games. For anyone who has played an RPG, you take control of a (usually) young character and guide them through an expected journey filled with unique people, frightening monsters, long odds, and great challenges. This movie is about as close to replicating the experience of playing an RPG that I've ever had. Ashitaka is an amazing protagonist. He's a bit stiff, yes. But, his journey into different realms of the world, his confidence and poise, his kindness, you just develop more and more of a connection with this character. He's severely (perhaps mortally) wounded early on, and he carries this vulnerability with him throughout the story. That felt important- he seems to operate on a plane much higher than most of the other characters, so he needed some flaw, something to bring him back down to earth. His wound also starts him on this fantastic journey.

I do want to discuss that journey for a moment. That seems like it's perhaps Miyazaki's greatest strength. I'm sure many will point to his ability to craft these beautiful, complex worlds full of imagination and symbolism, worlds that feel a million miles from our own, yet as close as a reflection in a mirror. I agree, the characters, the settings, Miyazaki is incredible at that. However, in the two films I've seen, I've been most struck by the hero's journey. The people they meet, the events they experience, the subtle and unsubtle ways they change throughout the story. You don't see too many films that tell such in-depth hero journeys like the one you see in Princess Mononoke. I loved following Ashitaka on his quest.

The cast was really good. I thought about watching it in its original Japanese, but the English voice cast was too good to ignore. I have to say, I absolutely loved how Billy Crudup brought Ashitaka to life. It was such an unexpected but appropriate performance. The majority of animated performances feel purposely so over-the-top and larger-than-life. Crudup goes the opposite direction. All his words are understated, subtle, quiet. This is undoubtedly how the character was presented in Japanese and I love that he followed this path. Every time Ashitaka opened his mouth, I was interested in what he had to say. Crudup was truly exceptional in his voice performance.

Billy Bob Thornton gave a great performance, too. His voice is so unique, but it fits it perfectly into his character. I really enjoyed hearing him here. Minnie Driver was solid with her performance and I liked hearing Claire Danes- I just wish she had more to say on screen. Jada Pinkett Smith was fine, no issues with her performance, she just bothers me as an individual (she is so weird). I didn't pick up that it was Gillian Anderson voicing Moro, but I love her, so it was a nice bonus. You can always tell Keith David's voice work and as expected, it's excellent. The English cast was truly exceptional, another big reason I loved this movie so much.

The biggest complaint I had is that the film is called Princess Mononoke, but it really should have been named after Prince Ashitaka. He's the protagonist and who we spend nearly the entire film with. I actually believe the character of San should have been significantly bigger. I think San might be referred to by the titular title one time in the film? And then, she never emerges as more than a supporting character. To have the title carry her name, she should have had a larger role. This really bothered me, especially since Miyazaki had a wonderful, strong woman character, but who is relegated to the sidelines unnecessarily. The film would have been better with this shift.

I want to acknowledge that the animation is excellent. As you'd expect from Studio Ghibli, it helps immensely to bring Miyazaki's fantastic world to reality to see it depicted so beautifully. The design of the various characters, whether they are gods, demons, or humans, pulls our attention to the screen. The movie is stunning to look at, I loved how it was animated.

It's a shame that the Academy Award wouldn't recognize Best Animated Film until several years after this film's release. Miyazaki's Princess Mononoke is an incredible film, a shoo-in for that prize if I've ever seen one. He crafts this wonderful world of gods, demons, and monsters that leans heavily on the fantasy world to show us something about our own. This is a great movie, one that I absolutely loved watching.


Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating- 8



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Spirited Away, Grave of the Fireflies