Dive into the world of Miyazaki!

When I’m frustrated from not able to find a good movie, I randomly pick a movie based on the title alone. During such a similar exercise two days ago, I stumbled upon a movie named ‘Princess Mononoke’. I didn’t even know what kind of movie it would be, who starred in it, who directed it and what language it is in. Princess Mononoke turned out to be a Japanese animation movie (a.k.a. anime) directed by Hayao Miyazaki, whose name meant nothing to me a couple of days ago. And what a (random) choice it turned out to be! Mightily impressed by this movie, I went on to see three more of the same director’s and each one was brilliant.

Princess Mononoke

Ashitaka, prince of a small village, is cursed by a demon which attacks his village. He travels to a distant magical land to find out the source of the demon and to remove the curse on him. He reaches a forest where the forest’s magical spirits are at war with the human beings, who have settled nearby. The forest spirits are led by a beautiful and brave Princess Mononoke while the humans by a strong and confident Eboshi. Ashitaka is caught between the two sides and tries to help both sides so that humans and the forest can live at peace.
It indeed is a brilliant plot! The characters are built in such a way that you’ll be confused as to whose side to take on. Everybody sounds reasonable and unreasonable. The animation is beautiful, lively and imaginative. The movie could have been a tad shorter, but that’s OK. Watch it if you are in for an fantasy adventure.

Spirited Away

Chihiro, a small girl in accidentally caught in a bathhouse of spirits, governed by an evil witch who converts the girl’s parents into pigs. The girl is bound by a contract to work in the bathhouse where Haku, another entrapped soul tries to help her. Chihiro undergoes several hardships before she frees here parents and Haku from their curses. The movie is an extraordinary tale of how love wins over everything. The animation is breathtaking (you wouldn’t see them even in pixar’s movies) and the soundtrack mesmerizing. The train journey Chihiro takes still lingers in my mind. This movie is a must watch! No wonder it won an Academy award in the Best animation film category. There are still plot elements which I haven’t understood – will watch it again.

Ponyo

An extremely cute movie in which a fish  - Ponyo - (daughter of the queen of ocean) wants to become a human girl so that she can be with the boy she loves. But her father, a wizard tries to stop Ponyo since her actions may bring about the end of the earth. But finally true love triumphs. As always, the landscapes are excellent. The animation work during the storm is pure genius. Very nicely done indeed. Ponyo is unforgettable. A short, funny and an adorable movie.



Now that I’ve become hooked onto this anime genre, there is much more lined up – Grave of the Fireflies, The Last Airbender, more Miyazaki movies and several other anime series.

If you choose to watch only one, I suggest starting with Spirited Away. You’ll just be blown over.