The first time I saw this movie (even the dubbed version, although it was exceptionally done) I was completely blown away. I had liked a couple forms of anime before hand, but was never totally interested in the subject until I saw the Princess Mononoke. After that, I dropped all the anime I had liked before. This movie is nothing like what Americans classify as anime. The movie isn't choppy, loaded with neon colors, and doesn't involve weird hybrid midget animals or gigantic robots (sorry guys, but Pokemon and all those kiddie shows ruined Japanese animation's rep). Instead it involves a piece of history, and true-to-life characters that nearly everyone can relate to. What interested me was that there were no black-and-white characters involved with the story: no truly evil or good people, unlike the popular Disney movies over here in the states. And the characters don't break out in song every five minutes either. On the contrary, this is a very serious film (something like ages 11 and up), and it isn't one of those stories where the most evil people on Earth are mowing through the forest of the cuddly, dewy-eyed animals.

I hear people complain that they're not interested in "that Japanese stuff", but I'll only respond with the fact that this is far from the quality of those kiddie shows, and it's only the style of how people are drawn that's foreign to American's style (i.e. Batman, Marvel stuff, Disney movies). Once you experience this film, however, what will really catch your eye (and I mean in an extreme way) is the beauty of the simulated backgrounds (there's even a bit of 3D-simulated scenes - very cool); the mist filled mountains, the wondrously painted backdrops of the forest, the detail in every scene is astonishing: you have to watch the movie 5 times plus just to make sure you absorbed everything! The animation itself is also incredible. The majority of each scene proves very smooth action and rarely is there a shot where there's more that 9 seconds of stillness.

If you, by now, have yet to see this movie, then by-golly why are you still sitting here?! Order it, or preview it first from your local Blockbuster or whatever's closest by. Better yet, go to the official site and download the theatrical trailer (they did a nice job with that too^_^).

Princess Monoke was allright I guess. I started off my anime watching with Akira and Ghost in the Shell, this is the 3rd I have seen. And it's OK. Didn't think the animation was as good as Ghost in the Shell, but it was on par with Akira...

The story was very original, and lots of good characters, plot developments, and complex characters add to the intelligent nature of this movie. I didn't find the talking animals corny, or any element of the plot corny. The man vs. nature theme was good in this movie, more complex than expected. And, of course, the voice overs were incredibly well done.

But even though this movie had all this great stuff, it wasn't my kind of movie in the end, really. I was a bit bored through it, I guess, but other viewers who love anime will like it I guarantee.

I didn't think it was "THE STAR WARS" of anime or anything, but it is worth watching. This movie could have been more interesting to me personally if turned into a feature film. Imagine that! So this is after all, quite the epic movie. All the right ingredients.. so enjoy.

Princess Mononoke is one of the best Japanese films of the 90s. That's the opinion in Japan, at least - it was a huge critical and commercial success there - and if you're not interested in what the Japanese think you're not going to like this film. Because whatever else it is - and for my money it's one of the best films of the 90s, period - Princess Mononoke is very Japanese. Rice wine and sushi in an age when most movies are (eye) candy, it's strange, beautiful and potent. Admittedly, its pessimism makes for a hangover of sorts, but no-one who made it through Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon should have any problems. In fact, at the risk of sounding like a film poster quote, if you liked Crouching Tiger (and/or The Lord of the Rings) you'll love - well, at the very least you should watch! - Princess Mononoke. Just remember that Japanophobes need not bother - stick to Pocahontas and laugh at little Meeko instead.

Princess Mononoke is stunningly beautiful art, with wondrous detail in nearly every scene. The animation is rich and imaginative; the demon forms and the forest god's "night walker" form are images I've never seen before, and the forest scenes are full of beauty and wonder. The sometimes-gory violence isn't just mindless action; one can almost feel the pain of characters when they are injured. The English-language voice actors good or excellent, particularly Minnie Driver (Lady Eboshi), Billy Crudup (Ashitaka), and Jada Pinkett (Toki, a smaller part). The lip movements match the English script fairly well. Finally, the story is deep and thoroughly involving.

The depth of the plot is shown in the way the many factions act. Each contends for its own interests, rather than for an abstract cause of good or evil. Most believe their own cause to be good, and opposing interests to be the enemy; each shows goodness and flaws.

In the simplest view, the conflict is between the Lady Eboshi's industrial Iron Town and the gods and animals of the forest. But there are more factions in conflict than just those two.

The remainder, except the final paragraph, includes possible minor spoilers.

In the introduction, Ashitaka fights a demon -- a god driven to madness by pain and hate. He kills it, at the cost of a curse that will slowly kill him. He chooses permanent exile from his home, the dying idyllic Emishi civilization (elsewhere thought to be long dead). He sets out on his quest with a heart unclouded by hate, in hope of the possibility that the curse might be overcome.

He travels West to the source of the conflict that turned the god into a demon, and learns of the numerous factions in the conflict. One major side is the Forest, with its gods and animals, divided into a number of factions. The other major side is the humans, also divided into several factions, most in conflict with the Forest.

The Forest is united in its desire to prevent destruction by human encroachment, but divided into factions with different ideas of how to protect their world. The boars favor a frontal assault, to kill the humans or die trying, even though they're somewhat aware that they're more likely to die trying. The monkeys favor a defensive approach, replanting the forest and killing humans opportunistically. The wolves -- including San, the Princess Mononoke -- understand the humans' strength from fighting them, and hate them, but urge caution in fighting such a dangerous enemy. Finally, there are the Forest Spirit and the Kodamas, whose motivations are deep and mysterious.

The humans are divided also. Lady Eboshi and her Iron Town are the main human faction. Eboshi is loved by her people, who include outcasts from other human societies: former prostitutes whose freedom she has bought and lepers she has taken in. Instead of conventional women's clothing, she wears a man's pirate coat. A minor faction is the samurai, who seek Lady Eboshi's iron. Another human faction is the monk Jigo, who befriends Ashitaka but seeks (with his hunters) the mountain of gold the emperor has promised to anyone who can bring him the forest's secret of immortality.

Finally, there is Ashitaka, who starts out with his own agenda, to overcome his fatal curse. Along the way, he learns to see the good in both the Forest and Iron Town. He becomes a friend of them both, and looks for a solution that allows both of his new friends to survive, while continuing to hope for a cure to his curse.

Few movies have this much depth of plot detail. The story is deeply involving, and takes many unexpected paths. The art is beautiful, wonderfully imaginative, and moving. The animation and voices are well done. I could find no flaws. This is one of the best movies ever.

I don't understand what all the commotion is about with this film. Yes, it is beautiful to look at and has great characters and artistry, but it's so hard to follow! It suffers the same deadfall that many, perhaps MOST anime films do. The plot is just too confusing. It starts out ok, even the middle of the film is engaging, but by the end of it there is utter confusion: Too many characters fighting for too many different reasons. I am even a science major, an adult, and an animation connoisseur, and this film stumps me. There are all of these different parties going after the forest spirit, but also fighting eachother. The forest spirit is ambiguous itself, friendly one moment, and then dangerous when its head is cut off. Warriors want to keep the head as a trophy, so they're stirring up trouble for everyone. There are the metal workers who are doing their own thing but inadvertently creating demons when animals get shot. Sometimes. Depending on the species of animal which is infected with the bullet. I think. Then you have the boar people who are fighting everybody and trying to protect the forest. And the princess and the wolves, who are really aloof and not on anybody's side. And then there's Ashitaka, who is mixed up with all of them and has the demon infection himself and wants to find a cure. And we have to hurry up and reunite the forest spirit with its severed head, or we're all doomed.

Get all that? Lovely artwork from the characters to the landscape to the action. Breathtaking scenery and mysticism, but a little too muddled to come off triumphant. This film would be excellent if it were more explanatory, or just had its plot streamlined a bit. Anime fans may get it, but I think the average American viewer will be up the creek without a paddle. Or maybe on the shore WITH a paddle. Anyway, I'm getting dizzy just trying to sort it out. A for effort, though.

There's but little to add to what has been written before, except, perhaps, my humble opinion... Never a real Japanimation-fan before I was somewhat reluctant to watch the film (especially after I had learned that the artist was the same that crafted "Heidi" --- which was some fun, I admit), but, being a little bit of a japanologist, I agreed to my friends' insist. To cut it short, I was amazed. The references to the diminishing Ainu people (Emishi) surprised me, and while the soundtrack captured my heart at once, my amazement grew when I watched the boar-demon. What imagination! And that same creative force left me captivated even some time after the movie (I simply forgot to smoke a cigarette, my friends and I wandered through the alleys without actually knowing where we were going...). Now I listen to that gorgeous soundtrack, and even now my skin creeps at certain scenes. The injured Lord of the Forests taking over the country is a view that nothing can match. And I won't forget the lovely Kodamas. You don't know who they are? Watch it, you'll know...

Princess Mononoke changed the way I thought about movies. Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli have created an epic so moving, so full of truth and wonders, that it lingers in the mind like a life-changing experience.

Watching the film, I was utterly absorbed and captivated by the enchanting world Miyazaki presents. I didn't want the film to end, but when it did, I found the ending to be so perfect - not following the traditional Disney school of "happily ever after."

The ending leaves you nodding your head, as if you can't imagine a more truthful fate for these wonderful characters. Miramax did a good job in bringing the film to American audiences. Neil Gaiman's screenplay, coupled with the strong performances of the high-profile voice talent, make for the best English adaptation of anime yet seen. We can only hope future anime gets the same top-notch treatment. Princess Mononoke is an extraordinary film.

I really can't think of anything to say about this movie. It's almost too good. I can never watch it without wishing we had someone like Miyazaki-sama here in the States, or that we had more of his films on DVD, or that this movie had gotten the mainstream theatrical distribution it deserved. If Disney had been smart enough to release this film subtitled, with a real advertising campaign, it could have been more successful than Crouching Tiger. There's a reason why this is the highest-grossing Japanese film of all time, and if its distributors had handled it better it could have won Best Foreign Film. Hell, it should have won Best Picture for 1997, and Jo Hisaishi ABSOLUTELY deserved the Best Original Score award.

But none of that happened. And that's why it's so hard to watch. Because Mononoke Hime is the best film of all time, and most Americans will never bother to see it.

This film by Hayao Miyazaki is one of the best FILMS I have seen in awhile. Please note that I did not say "animated film." Many people seem to think that animation is something purely for children. I see it as simply another form of art, that can be used as personal expression and can be used as a viable form of entertainment for anyone. I thank Disney for not editing this movie (well, they were contractually obligated not to) and the intelligent scriptwriting by Neil Gaiman was on the nose.

Some people may be turned off by the amounts of gore in this film, and the rather sudden scenes of violence. Well, all I have to say is that there is nothing here people haven't seen in movies like "Braveheart." It was amusing that, in NYC's Angelika Theater, there was a sign above the ticket office that said" this film has scenes of animal and human violence, this is not Pokemon." Amazing that such a sign should be needed - I guess people don't read movie reviews, or MPAA ratings.

What disturbs me is that Miramax is not advertising this film on TV. How are people supposed to know to go see this? Then, later, if this movie doesn't get good box-office income (from all 16 theaters that are playing in the USA!) they will say "people don't like cartoons like this." If they knew it was ON, they might GO... Many people I have told about this movie went "Princess Mono-what? WHat's that?" A shame. This is a terrific movie, and not something I would be afraid to show my 10-year old!

Mononoke Hime (Princess Mononoke in the USA) is an absolutely breath taking film. I recommend this film to everyone, even people that normally would not like animated movies. As a quick note, this is a MOVIE that is ANIMATED. It is NOT a Cartoon, a cheesy Disney-esque animation or a traditional Anime (Anime is a type of Japanese animated feature). Don't go to this movie expecting to see our hero break into song and dance, because it isn't going to happen. MH is rated PG-13 for a good reason, there is quite a bit of animated violnce, but nothing really grotesque (thus it is not an R rated movie).

MH's story revolves mainly around 3 types of people. San, who is Princess Mononoke, was raised by the Wolf goddess Moro and is a defender of the forest. San hates all humans (eventhough she is human herself) and is trying to drive the humans out from the forest. Lady Eboshi is the self made master of Iron Town. She doesn't care about the forest or the creatures that live there. She is an indusrialist and pretty much wants to rule Japan. Ashitaka is a Prince from a long since forgotten and nearly destroyed clan of Japan. Ashitaka is the mediator of the conflict and fights for both sides in hopes that everyone will eventually get along. The whole story revolves around these 3 personalities and combined make an excellent movie.

I have not seen the original Japanese version of the film, just the American dub, but for a dubbed movie, it is excellent (and trust me, I have seen a lot of anime and usually the dubbed versions are horrible). Some people may be a bit upset with it, but anyone who can't speak a word of Japanese, I see no troubles. A must see film in my book.

Before I begin, I want to point out that I was looking forward to this movie long before I even knew I had a chance to see it in the theaters, so that MAY make my opinion a little bias in the eyes of some, and maybe even in my own eyes. However, even when looking at the movie with as little bias as possible, I can still honestly say that this is one of the greatest animated films I've ever seen, if not one of the greatest films of any type that I've ever seen.

First off, the mastermind behind this film, Hayao Miyazaki, is a living legend in the eyes of many, including myself. Under his belt are titles like My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service, Laputa: Castle in the Sky, and the brand new Spirited Away, not yet over on this side of the Pacific. The majority of his films are moral-filled "child-oriented" movies that can be, like films such as The Lion King or Labyrinth, watched and thoroughly enjoyed by any age group. This film can be enjoyed by any age group, but isn't as much for the younger audiences as are Miyazaki's others.

The film opens up with some of the most beautiful landscapes I've ever seen, and doesn't let up on the visuals until the end credits start rolling. Lush forests, rolling fields, old villages and booming industrial towns (of medieval Japanese standards, that is), with not a detail spared. The character designs are fantastic and, in the case of some of the creatures, very whimsical, and use of computer animation is practically seamless. Not only are the visuals stunning, but the soundtrack to accompany the beautiful eye candy was absolutely amazing, done by Jo Hisashi, who has done practically every Miyazaki soundtrack to date. To see only the landscapes and hear only the soundtrack in the theater was more than enough for me.

Miyazaki doesn't just leave things with sight and sound, though. Within minutes, the viewer is drawn into a plot that not only holds its own against some of the best movie plots of all time, but also has enough imagery and symbolism to make all but the hardest critics of straight-forward, unsubtle plots happy. Nature vs. Technology, East vs. West, the classic arguments of history are represented in this film to a degree that practically anyone can understand and enjoy, yet not "dumbed down" to the point of boredom and blatency.

I'll stop right there with any description of the plot. Practically everyone has heard of this film and, to some degree, what it's about, but to any that haven't, I'll ruin nothing. All I'll say more is that the film was worth a 90 mile drive to a small theater and a 90 mile drive back, along with being late for work that night, and that I recommend this to anyone who likes...well, I recommend this to anyone. Period.

Spoilers herein.

The first thing I want is to be transported. The further the better, the more competently the better. This film transported me. It had quite a bit different take on the world -- heavihanded, confusing, illogical, juvenile mysticism, pop morality -- all different than what we are usually served up. Some of this strangeness (I am convinced) is because the director is a poor storyteller.

Disney's ethic was that the simplicity in the art corresponded with a simplicity in the story, so much so that one could turn off the sound and get the story. Not just follow the story but follow the WHOLE story. Anime seems to want to turn that on its head, making the animation simpler than anything out of Disney, but blowing up the story complexity with so many threads that kids believe it is profound.

No matter for me, the confusion and pseudodepth was part of the experience.

But there is another element here, and that really did disappoint me. `Akira' was genuinely artistic, not so much in the drawings themselves, but in the understanding of motion. I was impressed with how the edges on the screen corresponded to the edges between scenes. Akira had a similarly childish sense of the complexly profound, but the art showed mastery and self-awareness.

The vision in this film is just plain unimaginative in how the motion is handled. I'm not talking about the quality of the animation (which is poor), but the depth of the art. And the images themselves lack imagination: a wormy boar as a demon; the nightwalker was straight out of scoobydoo; the wolfgods?; the smurfy sprites? None of this reaches deep.

If you want an introduction to anime and are looking for art, go to `Akira.' Don't even stop here.

Long, dull, badly dubbed.

THIS is one of the most popular Japanese movies of all time???!!! Yes, there's some excellent animation and enough plot for 7 films BUT, not all the animation is good, the plot isn't exactly interesting and gets real silly at times (I gave up when the tigers and boars started having conversations), and the film is WAY too long (130 minutes). Also, the dubbing of the American voices doesn't help at all. The only one who works is Billy Cudup(sp?) who voices the young hero--his voice fits perfectly. Billy Bob Thornton is horrible--his Texas accent sounds a little out of place in ancient Japan! (Also his character makes no sense and disappears completely in the middle of the movie). Claire Danes makes the princess sound like a spoiled brat and Minnie Driver's ENGLISH accent sound uproarious on an evil(?) Japanese queen. That's the problem, she reads her lines so unsurely I didn't know how to take them! This is definitely a movie that lost A LOT in the translation. Also there's some real gruesome violence, so this isn't exactly for the kids. A waste of time unless you're amine fan.

I had heard so much about this movie that I traveled an hour and a half to Dallas with my friend to see it in the theater, and I can honestly say that it was a 5 hours well spent. Hayao Miyazaki has created a true work of art in this film, and its questions will stay with you long after its viewing. Please do not dismiss its power on the basis of it being Japanese animation, long a realm merely championed of geeks and fanboys...

This world is so completely realized that it gave me goosebumps on occasion. The plot cannot be summarised in a mere blurb-it involves an ancient curse, demons and forest spirits, society and modernization, greed and sacrifice. And that's leaving a heck of a lot out. I especially like that the evil is so hard to define, kinda like real life, eh? Who are you gonna side with? The forest protectors are violent and cruel, but what they defend is surely worth defending in such drastic means. Irontown may be destroying the land thus, but those people have to work somehow, and Lady Eboshi's motives are humanitarian therein. These are some of the conflicts the hero has to puzzle through, and you may find along with him that there is no clear answer.

In short, I recommend this movie highly, to anyone who enjoys film that makes you think. Sure, there's action, quite a bit of it too intense for children, but it's never wanton. 10/10, and a huge thank you to Miyazaki and his animators for this beautiful vision brought to life. Oh, and the American voice acting's not bad at all either.

Miyazaki-san has taken the soul of the Japanese landscape and its attendant Shinto mythos and spun a mighty tale. It still has the wonder of his other features, but this one is different, mixed with a kind of Shakespearean grandeur and tragic intensity. It's almost ruthless in its lack of sentiment, but because of this it achieves, at least to this viewer, a visionary breakthrough into unfamiliar territory. This one will stay through the years and if you attend well enough, haunt your dreams.

Kudos to Miramax for taking it so seriously and doing a good job with the dubbing. Still, the American English just does not really match. It is too laid back, softened and rounded. It really dulls the impact of this film. The Japanese in Mononoke hime is quick and powerful, full of meaningful silences that the painting harmonizes with. In English this basic rhythm of the film is all out of kilt.

Anyway, you can tell I liked it!

I have seen many animes, including Akira and Ghost in the Shell, which used to be my favorite two anime movies. However, after seeing Princess Mononoke, it quickly became my favorite. Miyazaki is a genius. His ability to tell a story through art is overwhelming. I would try to explain the story of Princess Mononoke, but it cannot be expressed well in words.

I recently bought the DVD of this movie, and there is a feature that allows you to see the literal translation from Japanese to English. I was very impressed by how well they adapted the final translation from the choppy, literal translation.

For those of you that may have been turned off by the excess violence, gore, and nudity of other anime films, you can watch this without being offended by such scenes. The voices that were chosen for the dubbed English version were spectacular, Minnie Driver and Billy Crudup in particular. If you like animated films and enjoy the art of Japanese animation, this movie is a must-see. I rate it 10 out of 10 (I would rate it 11 if I could).