Imagine finding a tunnel as a child and on the other side you discover a world of spirits. This is the premise behind "Spirited Away," although this movie is so much more than this. I only recently had the privilege of viewing this film and it certainly will not be the last time.
"Spirited Away" is hands down the most successful project Studio Ghibli has ever created. Since its release in 2001, it still sits as Japan's highest grossing film of all time, beating the previously successful "Titanic." The recognition did not end there. It proceeded to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Film at the 75th Academy Awards. Many critics rank this as the number one animated film in lists of greatest animated films of all time. Upon release, it was the first film to ever earn $200 million before even reaching the United States. Even though it has the acclaim of almost every critic alive, with a solid 97 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, what makes this movie so special?
As with every Studio Ghibli film, they put time and effort into every piece of their project: animation, music and story. Miyazaki and his team learned to use computer and digital animation and wanted to use some of this in their new project. Everyone agreed that they wanted this to merely enhance the quality instead of steal the show, therefore all the characters were still hand drawn, as were all set pieces. Much time and effort went into the production, but it paid off in the end. The movie is seen as an animated masterpiece with smooth animations, fluid movements and beautiful scenery. This also spawned the documentary "The Artwork of Spirited Away."
The music in "Spirited Away" is some of the most recognizable by Studio Ghibli. It was composed by Joe Hisaishi, who worked with Miyazaki before. The lighthearted and sometimes heavy music really sets the mood. This is most recognizable on the infamous train scene. Anyone who has seen the movie remembers this scene. It is most notable for the fact that there is no talking; it is simply a silent scene where the characters look out the window at different landscapes. The music takes over the entire moment by adding a sense of discovery to it. The music, much like the film, won several awards.
Finally, the story -- because what is a movie without one? Miyazaki wanted to write a film that gave young teen girls a hero to look up to. He made Chihiro, a girl who begins as a bit of a brat. She and her parents unknowingly enter the realm of spirits, and after something terrible happens to her parents, she must find a way to save them while not falling into disaster herself. She meets many strange and likable characters along the way such as a demon, No Face. Chihiro must learn and grow if she wants to survive in the land of spirits and she must do it quickly. One of the most impressive elements of the story is the symbolism in almost everything that happens. This allows not only children to enjoy the film, but also adults to look deeper and realize the impressive nature of how things are represented.
Overall, I am a huge fan of the Studio Ghibli films. "Spirited Away" is no different, and I can only say so much about it. There is only so much one can say about a film that exceeds in animation and music without actually providing either of those. Everyone can find something to enjoy about the film, whether it is a single character or a single scene. "Spirited Away" is guaranteed to carry you off on an incredible journey.
