Spirited Away - Hayao Miyazaki 2001

Spirited away is one of the most magical, and beautifully crafted films I have watched. Spirited away is a typical Miyazaki films in the sense that it has all the elements that he likes to use within his own films such as; strong female characters. The little girl in the movie, Chihiro, also known as Sen, did not start out as a strong female character. She began as a scared little girl who did not want to do anything that was unfamiliar to her. As the film progresses, as an audience member, you can see the change from a little girl, to a strong young female. Most of the progression and the strength came out of the love for Haku, which really illustrated how caring, and loving Chihiro is to the people around her. Even though in the beginning she was afraid, she got through the fear, and did not stop fighting for what she wanted, (her parents who had turned into pigs). You can even see the strength of Chihiro, nearing the end of the film, when she walks towards the evil witch Yubaba, and she stands tall, and unafraid, because she believes in herself. And with everyone cheering for her, it also makes the viewer, feel like they are also cheering for her, and evokes that urge to also be strong because she is. There were two other main females that show strong character. Obviously one, and or two of them were the witch twins; Yubaba and Zeniba. They both are all powerful, and stop at nothing to get what they want. They have juxtaposing personalities, but they are both strong in different ways. Zeniba has compassion for others, and is loving, which makes her strong in the sense that she has much more to give to other people, and Yubaba controls everyone in the bath house, and that part of the land, which makes her strong in the sense of power instead of compassion. The last female character who was very strong, was Chihiros, or at this point, Sen's mentor and friend. She was tough during the entire film, and she never backed down, even when she was being treated like dirty from the frogs, she stood up for herself, which felt like a huge part of Chihiro/Sen's progression. Not only that but Miyazaki loves the connection of the land, the new and old Japan, Janapese mythology, spirituality and flight. Which all of these things had in the film. The landscapes were absolutely breathtaking in the way it was crafted, and the details were amazing. In terms of Japanese mythology and spirituality, they both intertwined especially when you see the particular type of 'Gods' that come in and out of the bath house. It is quite a spiritual thing, in itself to go to a bath house, because in a way it is kind of like meditation, and within who ever comes into the bath house; such as no face, Japanese mythology creeps up on you, within the viewing of the films. There was a lot of flying, especially the scenes where Haku is a dragon, and Chihiro is on his back, and they are riding through the sky, with the clouds in gorgeous detail, as the moon shines upon them, and the shadows appear. That is truly a magical scene. And the new and old Japan intermingle with the houses, and building you see in that section of the town, and from where Chihiro came from, and he does that to allow people to get the understanding of, without the old there is no new. Everything about this film draws me in; from the scenery, the characters, the relationship between the characters, the storyline, and the details to the animation itself. Miyazaki's style of work is beautifully done, because of the fact he starts with the drawing itself; to retain a personal feeling towards the character. Creates a inter-textual collage, bridges the two worlds of traditional Japanese anime with western. Makes sure the images are very well detailed, also has the backgrounds in a complex formation, so that the relation is later known, and pans the camera to suggest the movement of a chatterer. Miyazaki creates such amazing animated films, with in depth storylines, captures the heart of each character, and makes it seem so seamless within the direction of the film itself. Miyazaki is truly one of the best animated film makers in the world.