MPAA Rating: PG
Original Review Date: November 5, 2002
Reviewed by: Erin, Movie Muse
In a Nutshell: Interesting, but I don't think I fully "got it."
Quick Plot: (Brief but important background: This is a film from a Japanese master of Anime. This is the most successful film of all time in Japan, distributed in the US by Disney. It is dubbed, not subtitled.) A girl and her family stumble upon a resort for the spirits. When her parents become enchanted by the place and kidnapped, Chihiro must take on the witch Yubaba to save them and herself, with the help of a variety of unusual friends.
In Detail: Um, yeah. It was, ah, interesting. Honestly, I think the cultural gap is too large, at least for me. The film was fine, meaning that it made sense and followed a "normal" progression. The story was different (though perhaps common in Japan). But when it was finished, I just thought "okay, I have no idea what the point of that really was." I think there were lots of references, both visual and perhaps in the names, that were simply lost on me since I don't have any kind of understanding of Japanese culture and spirituality. Even my brother, who is a great fan of Anime/Japanimation, said he didn't really get it either. An interesting cultural experience, one I am happy to have had, but not one I care to repeat any time soon.
Will I Buy It? No. It didn't make enough sense to me, so I would not enjoy repeat viewings.
