Often regarded as one of the greatest animated films of all
time and Japan’s
highest grossing film in history at the time of its release, Spirited Away is an animated adventure,
written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. Ten year old Chihiro is travelling with
her parents to their new house when her father takes a wrong turn that leads to
what looks like an abandoned Amusement Park. Though scared, Chihiro follows her
parents who find the Park deserted but discover food has been left out. As the parents
begin to tuck in Chihiro looks around and discovers a Bath House where she
meets Haku, a boy who tells her to get back across the river before sunset. As
she returns to her parents she discovers they have been turned into pigs and
she is stuck in a strange world of spirits where her kind is not welcome.
Spirited Away
reminded me of some of the great children’s adventures such as The Goonies or Labyrinth but also features the kind of animation that reminded me
of my childhood. The hand drawn style is reminiscent of classic Disney but also
of the cartoons that I was bought up on in the late 80s and early 90s. It
doesn’t appear to be pushing any boundaries but is deceptively deep and
beautiful.
