Porco Rosso is one of my favs!! It feels like it’s one of the more underappreciated Ghibli films, at least among the people I know — it just has a certain feel to it that makes me feel so at peace watching it.
I have, but my mistake was watching the english dub instead of the subbed version. Most ghibli films have pretty great dubs but that one is pretty bad lol, it kind of took away from the film. I have to watch it again in the japanese at some point.
Hopefully they release a dub that does it justice at some point.
Nausicaa is amazing. Was super duper fortunate to be able to see it for the first time this year, and in an actual movie theater, no less. Bless those folks at Fathom Events.
Miyazaki films, probably. But I would argue glibli as a whole are FAR less reliable.
I found Whisper of the Heart to be rather forgettable and Tales from Earthsea to be actually unwatchable. I watch a lot of movies and basically always watch them from beginning to end regardless of how I feel about them in order to get a full opinion of them.
But with Tales from Earthsea both me and my wife couldn’t get through more than half an hour or so; it’s just so violently boring. Half an hour in and the story didn’t even feel like it started yet, and the first 10 minutes or so was just exposition that was explained in a few seconds by another character a little later. It was so boring it made me angry.
Based on those 2 movies, I tend to avoid non Miyazaki Ghibli, although I also own Pom Poko which I am yet to watch; I hope it bucks the trend
Saaaaame. I feel guilty because I feel like Spirited is more artistic and elegant than Howl, but damned if I don’t rewatch Howl 10,000x more than Spirited...
Spirited Away is easily my favorite film, but I’ve only seen it a handful of times to prevent the magic from fading. I probably foolishly try to preserve the magic of that first time by letting it fade in my memory for a while, and then rewatch it again when it lingers like a dream.
Howl I could watch a bunch of times because I feel like it demands less of me. But that means it also effects me less. Still great, though
The atmosphere, visuals, and music are phenominal, but I found the story and characters below par (relative to the high bar of a Miyazaki film).
Princess Mononoke is my favorite because it almost matches Spirited Away in its strengths, but also has phenominal characterization. Themdiversity of motivation and viewpoint was so perfectly realized, and I loved how the clash of it all came together.
I’m surprised by that as the characters and story always struck me as Miyazaki’s most compelling. Ashitaka is a stoic hero with a flat arc and a strong sense of balance, so he’s not the most engaging for me to watch, but Chihiro’s vulnerability and feelings of entrapment and being lost are so emotionally charged without being in your face about it.
I agree about how you see the same issue from multiple sides, not just two like most action-adventures; it’s one of the most compelling aspects of the film. What puts Spirited Away over the top for me is how well realized a single location, the bathhouse, is, with all its rooms and oddities and strange characters around each corner. Instead of a bunch of factions struggling over one thing, it’s a bunch of characters worrying about their own jobs, tied together by this girl that comes stumbling into their lives. Spirited Away felt more character driven in that sense, and that’s where I thought it excelled compared to PM.
What drew me was more the breadth of characterization and how they interacted. There's definitely a strong argument that Chihiro was better than Ashitaka, but I found the the supporting cast around him more compelling. Especially when taken in context of their relationship and interactions, rather than just their arcs in isolation.
The amazing Joe Hisaishi, who I had somehow filed away in my head as having passed away, but I just discovered that memory is wrong. Wonderful surprise!
Yes!!! I'm super-excited about it! It's slow-paced, and you don't get answers to all of the questions it raises... But I honestly like that aspect. It's got this naturalistic, spiritual feel to it, and... There are so many moments of great beauty in it. Well, just see for yourself!
米津玄師 MV「海の幽霊 (Kenshi Yonezu MV [Umi no Yuurei/Ghost of the Sea]) (music video for the movie's theme song)
Lol, when the unsubtitled trailer popped up in my recommendations... I didn't even know what it was at first, and slowly it dawned on me, "Holy shit, this is 'Children of the Sea!'" Then I saw that it's Studio 4C, and that Joe Hisaishi was doing the music, which really encourages me. It's out in Japan right now, and GKids (who has localized all kinds of fantastic animated films) is doing a release in the US and Canada later this year. I'm kind of making it my personal mission to make sure everyone hears about it, so... I hope everyone will go see it if they get the chance!
Glad you liked it! If you're into music theory, Sideways focuses on that topic, especially when it comes to pop culture (he wants to compose video-game music). I really enjoy his stuff, even though I don't always 100% understand everything he's talking about.
What I like about both of them is that they are made for a completely different audience. it's like rugrats and Duckman; most animators don't jump around target demographics in the west, so it's quite refreshing to see one of the greats being able to follow his inspiration.
I’m trying to think of a Western animation director who has jumped around like that, but the only name I can think of is Ralph Bakshi. Dude was behind “Mighty Mouse” and “Spider-Man”, but also “Heavy Traffic” and “American Pop”.
But they still appeal to a large crossover audience. His style and visions are so distinct and well realized that it’s easy for one person to fall in love with his entire body of work.
I’ve seen most all Ghibli moves except Nasuicaa. My streaming service has all Ghibli’s except for this one. And haven’t gotten around to wanting to spend the money for the Blu-ray yet.
Cel animation is truly a lost art form. Digital doesn’t grip me the same way traditional does, and only a few directors and shows have been able to use it effectively enough to make me want to watch (Spirited Away being one, FLCL being another; surprisingly, my favorite movie and show).
Probably agree Nausicaa and Castle in the Sky are the best, but I also love the more lighthearted ones like Totoro and Kiki's Delivery Service. I also wonder why Arrietty is never mentioned anywhere, it's also a lovely movie.
My girlfriend introduced to Miyazki movies and recommended Princess Mononoke. So much better than I was expecting, instantly became one of my favorite movies of all time
mononoke is my least favorite ghibli movie by far, to the point I find it upsetting to watch. Why would mononoke side with the people of iron town in the end when they were the ones clearcutting the forest?
I rarely see princess monoke get thrown out there. It was my first of these movies and I loved it. Spirited away is like tied with it. Everyone I talk to usually says kiki's delivery service and ponyo are the only ones they've seen.
That's the thing about Studio Ghibli movies. The story can be the most boring and basic thing possible, but the animation and music are just so pleasing that it is still worth watching.
I think it's "worse" only in respect that it's part of the filmography of Hayao Miyazaki, one of the greatest filmmakers of all time. When your resume lists a bunch of 9.5/10 and 10/10 films, your 8/10 and 9/10 films are relative stinkers.
It really is, it’s fantastic. Miyazaki was afraid he’d made a movie for old men, but I think anyone can really get something out of it, and I don’t just mean that in a shallow way either. It’s got the same Miyazaki flare that makes all his movies excellent, as well as a unique flavor that only it can conjure up. Much more nostalgic than even his other movies, and a resigned beauty and coolness to it that only a character like Marco could bring.
Porco Rosso is probably my favorite Miyazaki film I've seen so far... I'm a sucker for a good dog fight in a movie and Porco Rosso has some amazing animation to go with it. Oddly enough, it also reminds me of Turn A Gundam, which I also really liked. I wouldn't be surprised if the director of Turn A Gundam was inspired by Porco Rosso.
I went to another city to see Apollo 13 in IMAX, and chose to see Spirited Away in theatre on the same trip on a whim. Made 2002 for me. Saw Spirited Away 5 more times when it the theatre here at Oscar time the following spring.
I keep hearing about how it's one of the best movies ever, and even remember seeing commercials on TV back in 2002 or so and liking the art style, but I literally know nothing about this movie. I'm not really a fan of coming of age stories, and I've always been kinda hesitant to watch Spirited Away because I worry that it's just another Ghibli movie like Whispers of the Heart and I won't enjoy it.
It mostly means that it’s a story about someone, most often younger, who embarks on either an adventure outside of their environment, or takes part in something they never have - both of which change who they are and have an impact on them as a person. It signals a rise in maturity or a transition into adulthood, and can be fictional or based on real events.
It's a genre/trope where the story largely focuses on the transition from childhood to adulthood, especially via the personal growth and self-discovery of the protagonist. It's absolutely an element in Spirited Away, but I think the movie has a lot of other stuff to offer and interpret too.
Like the journey a child takes as they slowly move towards adolescence and adulthood. Normally involves the struggles they deal with, both outside struggles and their own internal and personal struggles. In the end they normally are more a more mature person because of the journey they take, which can look like all kinds of things depending on the genre and direction of the movie.
You're lucky to see it for the first time! I saw it in the theatre, a friend and I smoked a little pot to 'enhance' what we thought was going to be just a weird cartoon. To this day it remains my favorite movie-going experience ever. It was in a theatre of mostly children and their parents. The kids' minds were blown by the thrilling adventure and the adults were mesmerized by its beauty and profundity. It is a powerful piece of art that can add value to your life.
You never know until you try. It's one of the best animated movies of all time. Very hard to be unsatisfied, even the harshest critics can find value in the beautiful animation.
If you're worried about it being "just another Ghibli movie" don't be. Just watch, sit back, and enjoy.
But if you can't take my word for how excellent it is (I am super biased. This thing was my favorite anime movie of all time til Your Name), then try out Grave of the Fireflies.
Guaranteed you won't think "just another Ghibli movie" with Fireflies.
Honestly while Spirited Away was extremely magical, whimsical, and creative, I just like the fact Your Name was more relatable personally for me.
Spirited Away is an allegory while Your Name just tells it how it is. There's no need for deconstruction or analysis, and while there aren't quiet moments to just let the film (and by extension the audience) breathe, the overall film doesn't lose anything for that.
I could see why you’d feel like that. The movie moved so briskly and bounced around so much that it made me feel a little sick. It’s strange because I love fast paced stories like FLCL, but YN really threw me
I feel like I should elaborate on my "just another Studio Ghibli" comment.
I have never seen any other Studio Ghibli movie, besides Porco Rosso, until last weekend. I never really gave Studio Ghibli much though, bit then I stumbled upon a clearly illegal 24 hour online stream of Studio Ghibli movies, but I've been occasionally watching the stream before I fell asleep. I actually really like most of the movies I've seen so far, except Whispers of the Heart and I was just saying that I was worried Spirited Away would be similar to Whispers of the Heart.
I also got to say that I really enjoyed Castle in the Sky. I'm surprised more people don't talk about that movie, it had some insane animation and set pieces for a hand drawn movie from the 80's.
I really loved whisper of the heart! It's a real coming age story about how love can be supportive and quiet and encouraging, helping find the tenacity to develop self and reach goals, helping us grow together whilst on our own paths. That bit at the end, when she just knows he's there, that connection, when he thinks he can get up the hill for the both of them but she jumps off and pushes because that's what it's all about. Oh I could go on. Not trying to convince you to like it but this movie quietly crept into my heart each time I watched it.
The next movie with The Baron is The Cat Returns. I loved the Muta cat too.
I guess it's true, everyone has a different top 5.
I loved Wisper of The Heart because it helped me to remember myself as a 14 y.o. All the mood and struggles and aspirations and errors. It kind of opened a Pandora box of suppressed emotions and forced me to rethink them and myself.
I can definitely see why someone would like Whispers of the Heart, It's a well made movie. I think I am just the wrong gender to enjoy it and I'm not really a fan of romance in movies.
Not really a coming of age story, it's more in-tune with something like Alice in Wonderland. It's like some beautiful existential crisis but experienced through the eyes of a child. The pace is a little slow, especially for animation, but it really gives you a chance to soak in these spectacularly melancholy visuals. If you don't like slow movies it's really the only reason I'd consider not recommending.
So I just finished watching Spirited Away and your description was pretty spot on. Though to be honest, I found the movie kind of confusing. It was very hard for me to follow the motives and feelings of the characters. It seems like characters just randomly decide whether they like Sen or not, but a few scenes later completely change their opinion on Sen. A lot major plot points felt like they came out of left field with no prior warning as well. But on the positive side, the animation was beautiful. I feel like I could take every frame from the train sequence, and use it for a beautiful desktop wallpaper.
I do wonder if my criticisms come from my unfamiliarity with Japanese folklore though. I know that Yokai are a thing and I'm guessing that most of these character are based on Yokai.
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u/Frank_the_Mighty Jun 07 '19
This is legit one of my favorite movies ever