Starring Daveigh Chase, Jason Marsden, Suzanne Pleshette, Susan Egan, David Ogden
Stiers, Lauren Holly, Michael Chiklis, John Ratzenburger, Tara Strong.
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki. English Language Direction Kirk Wise.
Miyazaki's "Spirited Away," a Walt Disney Studios presentation of a the latest cinematic
triumph from Japan's most renowned filmmaker, Hayao Miyazaki, adds to his impressive body
of work, which includes animated features such as "Princess Mononoke" and "My Neighbor Totoro".
Spirited Away is a wonderful fantasy about a ten-year-old girl named Chihiro, who
is whisked away to a spirit world and must learn to overcome her fears and face the
challenges that will help her save her parents and herself. It is the most successful
film ever to play in Japan, and the first animated feature in fifty years to win the
Golden Bear Award at the 2002 Berlin Film Festival.
This version is the english language version, featuring an outstanding vocal performance
from the exceptional child actress Daveigh Chase, who provides innocence and decency to
the character. We meet character after
interesting character along the way - the mysterious No Face, the big headed matron
of the spirit bathhouse Yubaba (Pleshette), the friendly but mysterious Haku (Marsden),
the hard-working boiler room owner Kamaji (Stiers), the helpful bathhouse worker who
looks after Chihiro named Lin (Egan), and a huge baby (Strong), plus
a wide range of spirits, dragons, bouncing heads and paper oragami. The story is wholly
original - we never knowing exactly where the story is taking us and how things will
turn out.
There were plenty of kids in the crowd, and they were quiet the entire two hours, and
nothing in the film seemed too scary for them to enjoy. The film also provides plenty
of enjoyment for the adults as well.
This is my favourite animated film since Beauty and
the Beast, and is two full hours of mesmerzing, surprising entertainment for family
members of all ages. I recommend you see this film.
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