DLAznMovies.com: Princess Mononoke

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Sunday, August 3, 2008

Princess Mononoke

Release date: 1997
Language: English

SYNOPSIS:
The story takes place in a confusing era, when the system of the medieval era had collapsed and society was moving towards the modern era. At that time, although the population had increased and many virgin forests had been cut down, there still remained many ancient forests which refused humans. In dark, black forests of evergreen trees, animals such as mountain dogs, boars, and deer were huge and wise, and could understand human language. They were fighting against humans who invaded their sanctuary, and were feared as Raging Gods. The protagonist is Ashitaka, a descendant of a Royal family of the people who had been defeated by the Yamato government and had been living in a hidden mountain village in Northeast region for hundreds of years. He was put under a curse of death by the Boar God who had become "Mononoke", called "Tatari God" (Curse God) out of anger and hatred. He started on a journey to solve the mystery of the curse, and in the Western country he visited, he was dragged into a heroic battle between the Raging Gods and humans.

REVIEW:
"Princess Mononoke" is a "combination of "Star Wars" and "Lawrence of
Arabia" set in a 13th century Japanese forest.
--Neil Gaiman, writer, English-language adaptation

It's a great work of fantasy, a classic quest narrative in the tradition of
J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, [...] next to the beauty and tragedy of
"Princess Mononoke," "Star Wars: Episode I" looks like dim radiation
from a dull and distant galaxy.
--Andrew O'Hehir, Salon Magazine

Miyazaki is a magic maker [...], creating a fresh, complex,
doomed universe-Tolkien meets Kurosawa.
--Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine

[Mononoke] is about as close to a perfect animated epic
as you're likely to get.
--Melanie McFarland, Seattle Times

RATING: 9/10

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