Set in medieval Japan, Miyazaki's original story envisions a struggle between nature and man. The march of technology, embodied in the dark iron forges of the ambitious Tatara clan, threatens the natural forces explicit in the benevolent Great God of the Forest and the wide-eyed, spectral spirits he protects. When Ashitaka, a young warrior from a remote, and endangered, village clan, kills a ravenous, boar-like monster, he discovers the beast is in fact an infectious "demon god," transformed by human anger. Ashitaka's quest to solve the beast's fatal curse brings him into the midst of human political intrigues as well as the more crucial battle between man and nature.

Miyazaki's convoluted fable is clearly not the stuff of kiddie matinees, nor is the often graphic violence depicted during the battles that ensue. If some younger viewers (or less attentive older ones) will wish for a diagram to sort out the players, Miyazaki's atmospheric world and its lush visual design are reasons enough to watch. For the English-language version, Miramax assembled an impressive vocal cast including Gillian Anderson, Billy Crudup (as Ashitaka), Claire Danes (as San), Minnie Driver (as Lady Eboshi), Billy Bob Thornton, and Jada Pinkett Smith. They bring added nuance to a very different kind of magic kingdom. Recommended for ages 12 and older. --Sam Sutherland

Princess Mononoke

• Spirited Away
• Howl's Moving Castle
• Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind
• Castle in the Sky
• My Neighbor Totoro
• Kiki's Delivery Service
• Porco Rosso
• Whisper of the Heart
• The Cat Returns
• Grave of the Fireflies

This film is no exception. You must see these films more than once. Superb. Put the setup in Japanese and English subtitles to get a better effect. It is currently showing in Japan. I can't wait for Studio Ghibli's next film to come to the U.S. Everyone should be able to view Hayao Miyazaki animation. Watch the films once for the story and then for the background animation.

VERY SATISFIED. Very good movie i recommend anyone to buy it whether your a fan of Anime or not. Also thanks to amazon on a very speedy delivery.

As far as the plot goes, it is excellent. You probably won't regret it. At least some of the other anime films with English dubs that I have seen sound like they actually give a crap about what they are doing. The opening scenes are some of my favorite and I am sure you'll see why. Minnie Driver seems out of place in her role as well. Oh come on, just pay the 15 bucks and see it. I didn't.

I would not recommend this film to children that are any younger than this age due to the eerie violence that ensues at some unexpected parts. You may want to read up on some Japanese tradition/legends before watching as most westerners brush off a plot about nature as hippie rubbish. The main character, however was excellently voiced IMO. Let's face it, the English voiceovers completely lack conviction.

The plot of this film was very good. Billy Bob Thornton is terrible, plain and simple. The animation is top notch for the time period that it was released. All in all, the film is like a violent disney movie with an actual message that should be received by most kids 12 and older (unless you cottle your kids and could nag the paint off of the walls, in which case go and sit your kids down in front of Handy Manny or something while you wait for Sex and the City to come out on DVD (if you found that offensive, you know in your heart that it is true, so stop lying to yourself already).). I have yet to watch it with subtitles and I expect that it will be much better with them.

I was a little unsure of what to expect from the title of this movie, but it certainly wasn't about a princess. This film has a good message and should be embraced, with or without the crappy dubs.