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-Basic Info.-

American Distributor: Miramax

Genre: "Miyazaki" Fantasy

Episodes: N/A Theatrical Film

Executive Producers: Yasuyoshi Tokuma

Director: Hayao Miyazaki

My Suggested Age Group: 13-14 and up

Release Form: VHS (dubbed only) and DVD (Subbed and Dubbed)

-Animation-

Phenomenal. Every single background is a work of art and the quality of the animation smooth beyond all reason. Thank you Mr. Miyazaki...again.

Score: 10 of 10 (A)

-Story line/Plot-

Also phenomenal (you see the pattern here?). A deep plot involving philosophy and preservation of a way of life. The transition of one era to another that is sped up by the greed of Mankind.

Score: 10 of 10 (A)

-Characters-

Wonderfully confusing(Emphasize "wonderful"). Is really only one totally straightforward character. An excellent job is done of portraying the motivations of each character and their good qualities while also showing them as definitive roles in the story directly in the film.

Score: 10 of 10 (A)

-Music-

Thank you Joe Hisaishi. This fine composer certainly wrote a score that fit Mononoke and was worthy of it as well (Hey, I bought the soundtrack). A truly grand symphony of colors and emotion. However, It is not entirely consistent in it's quality. Nor is it the absolute best I've heard. Don't get me wrong, the music is excellent.

Score: 9 of 10 (A)

-Content-

Okay, this is a tough call. While the film is actually forgiving in showing gore(considering what some of the bloodied characters go through) there is still considerable blood. I personally feel it was handled realistically without making the audience nauseous, which is a triumph, but it's not exactly "Hamtaro." I would like to remind everyone that this section is based entirely on the existence of blood, sexual jokes or inferences etc. in the Anime being reviewed. It does not judge the quality of the film. Okay, so I'm just saying that to make myself feel better for hurting the review....

Score: 8 of 10 (B)

-Final Score-

Princess Mononoke receives a 94% (A).

-Summary-

It is a time when Gods of the forest roam and control the earth. Far East of their old lands, an ancient race of wise people survive unnoticed by the Emperor and live in peace. Until one day, a demon from far away invades their village. The people's brave Prince Ashitaka defends his family but is touched by the cursed being during the fight. With no way to cure his curse, Ashitaka is forced to become a nomad. With his little remaining life, he sets out to stop the suffering that created such a demon in order to save both the animal Gods and the humans from the utter catastrophe their ravenous war will create. On the way, he meets the most amazing being he has seen, the Princess of Wolves. Raised by the Wolf God Moro, the girl is of neither the animal world or the human one. Yet both of them wish for the survival of the great Forest Spirit; the Supreme animal God. As Ashitaka's curse begins to consume his body and soul, he must stop the most destructive threat conceivable; war.