Alright! Today I'm reviewing the 13th film from Studio Ghibli, Spirited Away. Often seen as one of the greatest films ever made, animated or otherwise, there's a lot to love about it. The animation is lush, the story is fantastic, and the terrifying themes of growing up and loss play heavily, creating the strongest work from the Studio and possibly the industry as a whole.
Like so many of Ghibli's other works, an instantly nostalgic feeling is established in the first few minutes. Suddenly and quite vividly, the world that protagonist Chihiro Ogino inhabits becomes one that you could see yourself living in, the fantastically frantic fever dream that every child inevitably creates. The world of pure fantasy that you found yourself in one summer. I always love those types of stories - that pocket of time filled to the brim with childlike wonder.
This effect is only further reinforced by the beautiful soundtrack. It's a very Studio Ghibli-sounding soundtrack (Lots of piano), but the simple quaintness of it enhances the fantastical elements. It's not bound to simplicity, however, as the greatest reveals in the film are accompanied by some of the most beautiful sounding dramatic reveals of all time, specifically in The Dragon Boy. Spirited Away is a textbook example of how music can shape the viewing experience.
The whimsical soundtrack is matched only by the unique and stunning animation, which is rooted distinctly in traditional Japanese anime while still retaining that Ghibli-Esque spirit. The character designs are stunning as well, and a refreshing break from the monotonous Disney animation.
However, while the soundtrack and visuals are deeply visceral, the real success of the story is attained through the heart. The mere notion of a child being uprooted from reality, their parents turned into pigs, and then being forced into servitude is inherently sad and tragic in the way all great fairy tales are, and the fact that the movie actually allows the characters to breathe and live in that world, and allow the ten-year-old protagonist to break down crying over their situation is… refreshing. It makes the story full of dragons and witches more grounded.
Although, and this may be frustrating to explain, there is a certain nostalgic air to the movie - a certain je ne sais quoi which cannot be described, the umami flavor, the vibe - that lends itself to being extremely, extremely likable and sweet. You can’t help but be compelled to this world of illustrious fantasy and will be devastated by the loss as the movie ends and the world must come to a close.
Spirited Away represents the peak of family-friendly animation. Enough menace to hold a candle, enough heart to break it, and enough escapism to truly live in that moment and remember it fondly.
Overall, I give Spirited Away a 10/10. “Lighthearted and lively, Spirited Away is a fantastically fantastic fantastical flight of fancy.”
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| What a delightful movie. |
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