Spirited away is a fantastic film that is well deserved of the praise it has gotten over the years. A classic for all ages that goes to show tha animation can be just as good as other genres.
Spirited Away follows a 10-year old girl Chihiro a lonely girl who’s scared of moving away, who stumbles across a bathhouse for spirits after getting lost on the way to her new house. After her parents are turned into pigs Chihiro must get a job at the bathhouse to save her parents while hiding from the witch who cursed her parents. We follow her journey through this strange world as she makes new friends, helps clean spirits and goes on an amazing adventure.
Spirited Away has a variety of weird but wonderful characters who’s personalities and designs help shape the amazing world Chihiro finds herself in. From her unlikely friends Haku and Lin, to the evil witch Yubaba and the mysterious No-Face, Spirited Away has no shortage of lovable characters. These characters help Chihiro though her journey while making sure that us the audience care about their stories too. Haku does a great job of assisting Chihrio without taking over and being the hero instead, and Lin is a lovable big sister type who learns to care for Chihrio instead of thinking shes a bother.
The design of this film is spectacular, the bathhouse is a massive building that takes your breath away when you first witness it with Chihiro and it many rooms do not disappoint. From the steam room to Yubaba’s office, every room has character and are beautiful to see. Outside the bathhouse the scenery continues to amaze, the boats pulling into the bathhouse is one of my favourites as the lights reflecting on the water are stunning. The film also does a great job in it’s takes on traditional Japanese spirits, the “stink spirit” is a perfect example as its small story line has a powerful message on pollution. No-face also does a fantastic job of being both creepy and lovable. And the turnip spirit is such an amazing little add that got chuckle out of me.
Yubaba is a traditional witch but has still managed to be completely unique thanks to her personality and her crazy big head, which helps her become a great villain. Yubaba’s hold on Chihiro isn’t something physical, she steals her name, this is something more powerful as Chihiro starts to forget herself which could keep her enslaved forever just like Haku. In the end Chihiro needs to not only save her parents but her freedom.
Ultimately, Spirited Away is a story about family, friends, and the ability to stand up for ones self. A story full of adventure, love and personality, that leave the audience smiling. This weird but beautiful world had me captured from the start and wouldn’t let go. Spirited Away is a film I’d recommend to anyone of any age, personalty or film experience.
