'Princess Mononoke' | Critics' Picks | The New York Times

[@maximilian333]

I wish Miyazaki would make another "nature epic" even more detailed than Mononoke. Nature combined with imagination yields some very striking images and ideas.

[@Lynchotype]

I wish he would just make another movie haha.

[@muggensan8611]

"another "nature epic" even more detailed than Mononoke" that make me think i haven't seen nausicaa of the valley of the wind for a while , need to fix that

[@leegibson5802]

What about the movie ‘Naussica and the Valley of the Wind’?

[@timhughes7653]

Yeah Nausicaa is in certain ways more in depth than monoke

[@frierennacht]

if ghibli ever adapts the entirety of the nausicaa manga

[@lentejTV9]

One of the best movies EVER, in Anime or Non-Anime

[@mashek331]

Such a beautiful, magical film. Miyazaki has such unique craft. I feel like shedding tears when nature reclaims the war torn land under piano overtures. You expected only desolation with the forest god's death but instead found rebirth. And then you see the lone Kodama in the forest, rattling its head. A perfect ending.

[@W4RD1N8ER]

I love this film like you said very magical I love all the scenes of the inner sanctum where the forest spirit lives the water so clear I want to live there. My friend showed me this film just the part where they first see the kodama and I was sold I bought the dvd and it is still one of the most watched films in my house.

[@ukrainianzgok6938]

1:21 miyazaki isn't responsible for the background art of his films. The art direction in this film is the work of oga kazuo, yamamoto nizou, kuroda satoshi, takeshige youji, and tanaka naoya all of whom are accomplished artists in their own right. It's annoying to see other artist's work be attributed to miyazaki when his films have housed such a wide range of distinctly talented individuals that have gone on to be indiscriminately put under the umbrella of "ghibli artist" in spite of the overwhelming majority of their work being unrelated to the company.

[@cjwright79]

this is good to know, you're doing God's work by sharing this information! I had no idea!

[@savagecabbage6119]

Someone is triggered, calm down, the dude didn't do it on purpose

[@m.l.2871]

He drew the storyboard so he drew the composition and stuff Sure they worked it out together with other artist but it is how it is

[@jimjimgl3]

Thank you for naming the artists that helped fulfill Miyazaki's vision. But the truth of any "director" is that the crew working below him are under his direction. He may not have personally been the artist making the background art but most definitely he approved or disapproved these artists' work when presented to him.

[@TheOriginalDogLP]

I think they know that, but it is always the directors name that gets dropped in such instances. That is the same like you will never read a review where Bill O’Leary gets praised for the light in Blade Runner 2049, you will only read Denis Villeneuve and at best Roger Deakins. We all know there is a big team behind every movie production full of talented people, but we also know that a 3 minute review is not the place to name them all.

[@GFLAT333]

Great. But This is not for Children. This is for WORLD.

[@majorbrighton]

I am now 58 and have always had my heart set deep within all Miyazakis works. Watching them over and over again in Japanese as my two boys have cultured me to respect the difference. They draw out a special childhood magic that will never be lost for me and a hope for my children. Never has a film given so much to so many.

[@smurfette_blues7922]

This is blessed comment

[@Lenaaa546]

I don't think it has any resemblance to Disney at all or western films and princess mononoke isn't a maiden!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@robertwilliams4682]

maiden in the old sense simple means a girl or young woman, especially an unmarried one

[@topistatudkull]

Oh god, I can't listen to the movie's final piano music at the end without crying.

[@medori101]

I love everything about this movie. The art is enchanting, the story is beautiful, the music is unbeleaveable, and the depth of the characters is amazing.

[@ladycarizza47]

Miyazaki is one of the most talented artists of the 20th century. He captures my heart with every movie and makes us realize how lucky we are to live on planet earth

[@jbeksubk8350]

Miyazaki is one of the few people who can create such a beautiful work of art as Princess Mononoke It perfectly depicts the struggles of war and was the one movie that actually made me cry, I cried with joy knowing I had found something truly perfect…

[@shkeni]

What a gorgeous, amazing movie.

[@m.a.packer5450]

The ending is reminiscent of the aftermath of Fat Man and Little Boy destroying two major cities in Japan: within weeks of the cataclysm, plants and animals returned and flourished despite the nuclear devastation

[@rasberryiceify]

Weird that I’m only just discovering this. So relevant to our times now!

[@JaymeCarrollTV]

Hayao Miyazaki's films = true works of art :)

[@GiraffeFillet]

The guy did a good job

[@Persillebalzm]

2:54: ..."and it can only end one way" - then 1/2 a minute of silence... I'm going to watch this.

[@gahzeyboe]

Princess Mononoke is still one of my all-time favorite movies.

[@freaxfilm]

My friend tattoed these little creatures and thats how I found out about this. Thank you for this explaining video

[@البريقاللامع-ج8خ]

The worst thing in Hollywood anime movies is that they laways have songs! Why? It doesn't necessary to involve songs within the movies.

[@madcapmakov2]

Animated, anime is just a format in the medium specifically in Japan. I agree. Western Animation is fixated on Disney fairy tales, talking animals and musicals. Japan pushes bigger and to more serious places.

[@DeadDayGal]

I remember seeing this when I was about 4-5 years of age. I remember sitting in my living room during the summer and my mom actaully yelled at me because all I did was sit on the couch and watch this movie over and over again. I started liking Miyazaki and Wolves are now my favorite animal, haha. we had rented the movie and I couldn't remember what it was called so everytime we went to blockbuster, I'd ask my dad, "Do you remember the wolf princess movie? can we get that?" haha I own it now :)

[@Bluburry100]

@capnfoo Indeed I've noticed in MANY Miyazaki movies, the villain is never really ever COMPLETELY evil.

[@Nyxferno]

I remember when I once saw this movie a few years back. I could never remember the name. And one day, I came across one of Miyasaki's film and saw "Princess Mononoke" listed, and it dawned on me that this was the title. To this day it remains a favorite :)

[@Antiwarsdreamer]

Did you ever watch princes mononoke from a spiritual perspective? =)

[@MattDend]

Yes

[@NgocLe-yp7ne]

I literally FEEL the movie

[@141MusicLove]

@Yuvaez How was it?

[@kaoristu]

i grew up with miyazaki's movies and it is one of my favourites among his works.

[@DoctorWu23]

A fascinating movie that contains a lot of vestiges of Miyazaki's marxist youth. Its an incredible film.

[@SmittenKitten.]

Don't be mistaken, nature will win in the end; we're only hastening that inevitability. A powerful film that every single person should watch.

[@appleby]

this is a really great review clip - i think about/return to it from time to time.

[@kristbjorg999]

I remember the first time I saw Princess Mononoke, I was like, wake up people, think about our nature, our home that each and everyone of us lives in, be good to one another and be good to our nature which is our home

[@doomkitty5]

definitely i prefer the original language every time

[@timatotoro]

Not one of the best directors in Japan, but ever.

[@outofincontrol]

This and Naussica of the Valley of Wind are both incredible movies. They both have a lot of environmental undertones and they both portray humankind as mostly bad, with a select few who are good. Their endings are also beautiful.

[@houkou1]

Be sure to take the time to watch all 14 of his films. If you haven't, be sure to watch Spirited Away and Nausicaa of the Valley. Mononoke is the best Miyazaki movie though. Granted some debate others are.

[@smurfette_blues7922]

I'd say its PM since it's about an issue that affects all humanity. Whereas spirited away, although is still connected to being human, is literally targetted towards 13 year old girls.

[@capnfoo]

@keenis I don't see anything wrong with taking part in an ongoing, comparative discussion. The two movies are all sorts of similar, people aren't pulling reasons to compare them out of thin air.

[@0TheSweetRevenge0]

@degree7 not really. A person got decapitated by an arrow and two people got de-armed. A few people and spirits died/got shot, but there wasn't anything too bad.

[@FetaCheese222]

@Yallno22 I just look at it this way- the original director made a movie in that language and therefore it is intended to be watched in that language. Not to mention that watching a film in its original language sets the mood right and makes you realise that you're watching something created by people of another culture.

[@videogamenostalgia]

Princess Mononoke kicks the ass of ANY given pixar/disney film without even breaking a sweat...People always talk about how deep films like Up and WALL-E are, but I have never seen a film so directly and delicately tackled such a difficult subject...

[@strawberryburrito]

@ James-I think the difference in Japanese animation is that much of it is directed towards both adults and children. The same can be said for Pixar and some Disney movies, but shows like the Simpsons and Family Guy are made to be directed towards older teenagers and up, while shows are Spongbob are directed towards children. Just because a show is filled with innuendo doesn't mean it can be labeled as both an adult and children show.

[@mania66107]

@meepfeet it's never too late to recognize greatness

[@lollypop36]

What's the name of the song that starts playing at around 3:05?

[@JC-ze2et]

I absolutely love this movie!

[@LDixon007]

@Aerosteon - I rate this movie as third best of those by Studio Ghibli - which makes it the third best animated movie of all time, by all artists. (Sorry Disney.) My two favorites are "My Neighbor Totoro" and "Grave of the Fireflies".

[@WinterInJapan]

Both Miyazaki and Hisaishi are of a dying breed of artists. It's a real shame, because practically everything they touch is gold.

[@BenjaminGlatt]

The entire Kingdom Hearts series, each game of which inevitably gets a (re)release in Japan with the English voice work.

[@Tandy2000HD]

It generally amazes me how Miyazaki films are so free from stereotypes, how the women in his movies are always strong and beautiful, how the antagonists can be sympathized with, and how he can always create a sense of majesty. Disney, on the other hand, has been rehashing the same sexist, stereotypical characters from the beginning. Women are taught to wait for their one true love while abandoning any higher intellectual pursuits while the antagonists are inherently evil without any motives.

[@thiagopas]

I have a friend who is the Nightwalker Shishi-Gami itself. His name is Rony and sometimes he spends the night on caffeine studying .

[@willlyon7129]

Forget Disney Princesses, Princess Mononoke is a badass. She doesn't no puffy dress, lives in a castle, has perfect hair, a lovely singing voice, and following her dreams with crap ton of merchandize to make buck for dumb kids. She fights in what she believes in protecting her forest.

[@Johnlindsey289]

What about Belle? she's a character with brains and all

[@IAmTheStig32]

The great thing about PM is that it isn't black and white like Avatar. PM has lots of different characters all with lots of different views and motives. Avatar meanwhile has this ham-fisted cliché "DEM PRETTY SPACE ELF NATIVE AMERICANS R TEH GOOD GUYS FIGHTING THOSE DIRTY GREEDY HUMANS, COS ONLY HUMANS CAN DO BAD THINGS RIGHT!?"

[@smurfette_blues7922]

Lol

[@andrewattenboroughtwothumb4697]

One of my favourite classic animated movies and by Miyazaki

[@Firedonify]

I agree. But sometimes, it's done rather well. The German dub is quite good, which is actually surprising, since German dubs generally suck, however, all Miyazaki's I've seen in German were quite well done.

[@Heyprinny]

@MrHmoobhtt No, I think Avatar's story is just a story that has been recycled over and over again to the point when it can be said that the plot was inspired by almost anything, especially Disney's Pocahontas when the only real requirement to make the two complete copies of each other is simply changing the names and one or two nouns. In this though, it is actually quite different because the main character tries to mediate the two forces that are clashing, not eliminate the evil one of them.

[@MsStrongbear]

this is such a terrific movie < i love it so much.ive seen it a bajillion times along with Miyazakis other movies

[@redwolf481]

@king1250 thank you sir...this is probably my fav movie of all time...it came out when i was 12 and blew me away...many of its themes are applicable to whats happening in the world today...especially in america

[@kenhcoverhay6035]

cho mình xin tên bộ phim này ạ

[@redwolf481]

i am proud of my generation of millenials that grew up in the 90s playing japanese video games and watching anime in the 2000s ..they are intrested in another culture sincerely vs our parents who love their own culture and would never watch something not in english...so i love that people my age want to watch stuff in japanese and other cultures..on the other hand if dubbing is done right and doesnt deviate from the script I wont lie i prefer it and sometimes it is even better

[@danielladahoui888]

My favourite movie of all time!

[@CleverDjembe]

@RarFafr I didn't mean to copy you. I just wanted to say the exact same thing, because I agree with you :)

[@Gokan1690]

@degree7 It was a bit more gory than expected. But it wasn't "uber" gory as you claim. It was actually quite subtle in the gore department. A couple of beheading by arrow, some disarmament, some guns and explosions. Quite nerf in comparison to shows like Shikabane-hime and Higurashi no Naku Koro ni.

[@pazful]

A lot of Miyazaki's film endings seem like cop outs to their intriguing stories. But I assume its because I don't have the japanese cultural background to understand them. Mononoke is my favorite because the ending made the most sense to me. What am i missing to understand Spirited Away, Howl's moving castle, Ponyo etc?

[@smurfette_blues7922]

Ponyo was really something miyazaki wanted to explore the limits of animation in, what with all the waves and water. It was supposed to be a celebration of the cheerfulness and innocence of a child's universe, so that may explain the simplistic ending. It was basically a kid's film. Howl's moving castle was supposed to convey the message that life is worth living. And it was also supposed to be a film in opposition to the Iraq war, which miyazaki was vehemently against (I'm not sure what problems you had with this film's ending so I'm just throwing out background info. I honestly thought the whole film had too many themes to be a complete piece. But fun fact, it was apparently miyazaki's favourite creation) Now spirited away was a film that was specifically aimed towards 13 year old girls, according to miyazaki. So the ending may seem like a cop out because he never intended the main character to grow in the story. He wanted her to draw on something that was already within her. So, like ponyo, it was another film celebrating childhood, but specifically the urgency to retain it as one continues to grow up. Overall, I believe miyazaki is not really interested in the details of plot elements like endings. He's very focused on atmosphere and messages about humanity. Childhood and concepts in relation to it seems to be something that is very important to him for being a human.

[@pleaserewind295]

Honestly, I have often found his only weakness to be his endings. Some are very good like Castle in the Sky, but a lot of the time he builds up all this momentum, and the story sort of just ends.

[@TheFrugalVideoGamer]

It'd have been interesting to see what might have happened if Disney and Miyazaki had ever been able to team up.

[@smurfette_blues7922]

Miyazaki would have despised him

[@redshark618]

In the past year, preliminary video commercials on youtube has gone up 67%. But there is something you can do about it.

[@FetaCheese222]

@jopastico 1997 isn't very old when you consider the history of film. There are movie that deal with war that are far more complex than Mononoke that are over 50 years old.

[@drifter402]

OK Can I just click on ONE anime related video without somebody telling me about how the english language is evil and how anime should only be watched with the subtitles (as in not watching the anime but reading instead). I mean you gave good reasons but I'm getting a little pissed off at this

[@petersoudesuyone]

@RarFafr IT'S TRUE! whereas ppl in the states regards all languages should be translated to the present lingua franca-- English... Origial sub and accents is the only way of exhibiting local specialties and cultural traits. BTW, I love finland lol

[@666Wo0k]

You forgot to mention the sheet music, from Joe Hisaishi, whose tender notes enrich the movie, but, alone, even for the people who haven`t seen 'Princess Mononoke" have the same effect, as on those who know the story.

[@OpacmanO1]

@DiiDee66 yes and the music of both movies is by joe hisaishi hes the most talented man in the whole world(in my opinion)

[@MrWarners14]

This movie, Spirited Away and with the exception of Grave of the Fireflies, most of Ghibli's library (My Neighbour Tortoro originally had a FOX dub but also has a Disney dub) contain english dubs from Disney and from the ones I've seen, they're very high quality.

[@stevesharpe3370]

Yes Grave of Firefiles has been very hidden in the Ghibli library and it’s a shame hard to handle but a masterpiece

[@JVisionStudios]

Hayao Miyazaki's films amaze me. Ill never forget the first time is saw spirited away when i was a little squirt.

[@RockyGemsCarly]

@TobyBDK I don't. It makes it more enjoyable for a wider range of audiences. It's doing nothing but benefitting Studio Ghibli by supplying funds to use to make even more wonderful films!

[@capnfoo]

@keenis I was taking part in an already-on-going a comparative discussion........................

[@idn]

I cannot watch this movie in English. I feel Japanese completes it. I don't even like anime or the exuberant style of Japanese typically paired with it, but here it does the film proper justice in my mind. One of the great stories of all time.

[@MrWarners14]

I meant that and no worries.

[@naruhina1236918]

People need to stop hating on the dub. Miyazaki likes the dubs of his films. They put in lots of effort into making them.

[@TheGarryModder]

this together with laputa castle in the sky are my favorite animated movies..

[@cataria3903]

spoiler! the spirits are not monsterous! the horros of the humans done to their kind, make them monsterous. like a child going through immense trauma resulting in hate anger need for revenge etc.

[@smurfette_blues7922]

But they are. And that's the point. Miyazaki spoke about this film and this is what he said: "The concept of portraying evil and then destroying it - I know this is considered mainstream, but I think it is rotten. This idea that whenever something evil happens someone particular can be blamed and punished for it, in life and in politics is hopeless." There are no villains. Only viewpoints. In this film, evil is simply a horrible *byproduct* of flawed actions and ideas. So just because you make those actions or think those things, does not mean you are evil.

[@JaniceChaos]

I believe there was a tribute to this film in Hellboy2, is it true?

[@FetaCheese222]

@Yallno22 What? How do they contradict? The director made it in Japanese. He is a Japanese person, from a Japanese culture.

[@coolmountains25]

survive. but miyzakis film also takes a longer view which is that eventually this cycle will end and it can only end one way....."

[@petersoudesuyone]

it is an extrordinaily excellent source for TOEFL test takers to practice our listening !! AWESOME

[@stevesharpe3370]

It’s almost a disservice to call this a anime. It’s unfortunate because the word “anime” will scare a lot of people away with their preconceived notion of what it will be. “Princess monoke” and anime films like “barefoot Gen” are brilliant works of art that I wish were appreciated on a larger scale It’s going to be in cinemark theaters this summer and I can’t wait to see it at the cinema

[@denisefreitas6727]

Beautiful movie! A masterpiece!

[@MrWarners14]

Ironic considering Disney does some pretty kickass (and uncut) dubs of their movies.

[@supermonkeyyyyyy]

It's not a competition ...

[@teechan88]

@Tandy2000HD i partly agree with you partly not, disney may not mean to create such stereotype on purpose but only trying to create an animated movie out of the fairy tales (eg. cinderella, snow white, beauty and the beast etc.) would you blame those stories? you may but you cannot do anything about it because after all, they are fairy tales, don't blame disney (look at Mulan! is that stereotype?) besides, disney has its good, miyazaki films has its good, don't compare but enjoy instead.

[@coolmountains25]

short-sighted. and the enchanted creatures of the forest the spirits that are so magical and beautiful and noble are also monstrous. now this allegorical struggle between the human civilization and the natural world is not one that can be resolved with a clear victory for either side. and their is a somewhat hopeful conclusion.. its that this relationship is a cycle, human beings can learn how to manage their antagonism with nature in such a way that both civilization and the natural world can

[@Karmaffix]

i was up all last night. this movie came on about 5 ish i think. i was extremely tired but it was to good to not watch. i loved it.

[@FetaCheese222]

@Yallno22 I meant "another" as a different culture from your own.

[@conorredmond6217]

Spoiler alert at the end... jesus

[@OroborusFMA]

Ads ... nothing but ads ... You Tube jumped the shark when it allowed ads.

[@kabinyo_creations]

would you prefer a subscription fee? how else do you expect them to pay for hosting of millions of hours of video content.

[@DonnaFernstrom]

Ads about 1/4 to 1/3 the length of the present ones. That would be fine.

[@kabinyo_creations]

aight hope you're cool with 1/4 the amount of video storage too

[@FraytaCentariHM]

Spirited away is truly about self growth, and becoming a better person from self growth. Chihiro was only able to recognize none of the parents were her pigs, because she was no longer introverted. As for Howl's it's based off of a book, and Ponyo was inspired from the little mermaid- so I don't know about them.

[@Kimbelle10]

Until I actually learn the language (or more familiar with it like Spanish) then I don't use subtitles, I'll watch the dubbed version if offered. It's only because I end up watching the subtitles instead of watching the movie itself... And those tree spirits are totally weird but too cute!

[@froufroulover4]

@xewexewerx froufroulover4's friend... it didnt have a real statement that it was a female, but it is definitely implied through conversation (san calls her "okaasan". even eboshi implies it when the wolves are first introduced and she calls the 2 other wolves her "pups" although the "her" used there couldve been the genderless pronoun. cant remember)

[@Turnajon]

@naruhina1236918 Absolutely. If Miyazaki thinks the dubs for all his movies that Disney has done are great, then who are these naysayers to say that Disney has destroyed them? IMO, Disney has done anything but ruin them. Yes, they do add in lines and music in some of their dubs and occasionally make eccentric casting choices, but that in no way means that their dubs are bad. Not in any way. I just can't watch them in Japanese anymore because the dubs are so amazing. This one included.

[@JamesDusenberry]

(Most) American animation isn't just for children! Any Disney/Pixar movie is equally enjoyed by children and adults alike. And as for television animation, that seems to be completely for adults. The Simpsons, Family Guy, King of the Hill, Futurama, even Spongebob and others and all filled with jokes and situations that only adults would understand.

[@MEPSIPAX826]

Not just the greatest anime ever. Greatest movie ever made.

[@zackington]

Happy birthday Mr. Miyazaki!

[@danthruni]

oh THAT you did mean, I thought you meant that disney films have some pretty kickass dubs, I'm sorry I missunderstood ^^

[@Bleyendaal]

meaning is not "preachiness" the characters are not good or evil: you sympathize with all, even jigo. all the characters are so justified. it's about thinking about the consequences.

[@LATINASTYLEx3]

I wish there was Princess Mononoke 2 😍🙏 its my favourite movie

[@dorkanderson4963]

The irony is that Monet and Turner were heavily influenced by Japanese art.