"I travel from lands of the Far East to see with eyes unclouded by hate…"
                                                                                        -Prince Ashitaka

     Prince Ashitaka is one of the last remaining people of his tribe. He is the brave hero that embarks on an unforgettable journey in hopes to rid himself of a curse...a curse he received from the boar god known as Nago. In a desperate attempt to save his small village from the demon-crazed boar, Ashitaka kills the boar and at the same time becomes marked with its repugnant hex. When the wise women explains that the curse is too evil and that his people cannot help him, Ashitaka must leave everything he loves and never return, in order to liberate the curse from his body. Along his journey, Ashitaka uncovers the ruthlessness of man and the generosity of all living creatures. Confronted with an iron fist of love and chosen to be the key to unite both humans and the forest gods, Ashitaka's integrity would provide a future for both worlds.

      "MASTERPIECE" is all I have to say for this movie. There are no words to describe how perfect this anime is. From the artwork to the engrossing scenery this film is definitely the best anime I have ever seen. The characters are unbelievably realistic compared to any type of animation I've seen before. If you've seen Kiki's Delivery Service, the same producer (Hayao Miyazaki) created Princess Mononoke. The simplicity of the animation conveys the mood of the anime perfectly. Granted, the story is a little peculiar, but this anime is a classic. In fact, it is the only anime that I have actually seen come to the big screen.
      The first thing I would like to emphasize on is the animation. Everything in this film is of pure quality. Those that have watched Miyazaki's earlier work realize he has his own anime style, which is unlike any other. Animes these days tend to have very sharp rigid art. However, Miyazaki has a more fluid technique (almost as smooth as Disney) but his characters remain compatible with the real world. Not only do the characters provide a pragmatic feel; the scenery and backdrops are completely amazing. A lot of animes mix characters with backgrounds. Sometimes you'll find a movie that the characters don't fit the background. Either the background is too sophisticated from the characters or vice/versa. In Miyazaki's films, this disruption never occurs. I guarantee, you will not be disappointed with the animation in Princess Mononoke.
       Secondly, the music is wonderful. I would even recommend buying the album. I've found myself rewinding the credits just to hear the symphonic orchestra play the main theme. Because Disney has bought the copyright of all Miyazaki's productions released in the United States, the quality in voice acting, music, and over all merit has been dramatically increased. Anyway, the music is beautifully orchestrated. The music is never too loud or too soft. Every theme fits with the characters and the emotion that the artist so carefully tried to divulge. Music is suppose to enhance the feeling of important scenes during the movie, Miyazaki has done an outstanding job coordinating the overall product.
       The originality of this film is great. Princess Mononoke doesn't fit into the genres created by a lot of animes. The majority of animes today contain stories of massive murder, or conspiracy, huge mechs, or colossal wars fought between mankind and an opposing race. This movie is like a breath of fresh air. It mixes a lot of the themes above, but the anime is based on a legend of the past. Civilization is in its earlier days, where demons and spirits still roam the Earth. This concept of time being completely turned back puts the viewer in a completely different world. Wars are fought with swords and arrows. Things like magic, and curses are still widely used and believed. If anything, the world of Princess Mononoke is something like a fantasy. There are very few anime succeed in trying to create a fantasy world that the viewer can loose him/herself just watching the film, however Princess Mononoke has no problem captivating the viewer.
       Princess Mononoke is by far the best anime I have seen to date. It mixes great characters, animation, and music to create a film that will remain a classic. While there are a few gory parts in this film, the realistic blood and language should still be suitable for nearly everyone. If you haven't seen this movie yet, go to your local rental or video store and pick this title up!