Princess Mononoke

[Miller]

*Originally posted by slortar *
**It’s also about twenty years older than Spirited Away–you have to keep that in mind. You might also want to give Kiki’s Delivery Service a try–you’ve seen everything else that’s out over here, save for the Sherlock Hound tv series and Castle of Cagliostro (highly recommended). **

Yeah, that was sort of what I was getting at. Seen as a part of an artist’s progression, it’s probably more effective. Seeing it right after watching his two latest (and greatest) films, it’s hard not to get hung up on how much he would improve over the next two decades. In addition, I’ve never cared much for the look of anime from the late seventies/early eighties. Although Miyazaki did some wonderful things with the woodcut-look to the backgrounds in Laputa.

Originally posted by criminalcatalog
For a different style of animation, try Fantastic Planet. More of illustration than paint, and with some very memorable elements.

Ugh, what a turkey. Poorly conceived, poorly written, poorly animated. Easily one of the dopiest movies I’ve ever seen.

[asterion]

*Originally posted by CyberPundit *
**
Yes IMO it’s one of Miyazaki’s two weakest films(along with the Lupin film). It’s still quite enjoyable though (like the Lupin) and it says something about a director when you can say that about his worst films. **

Castle of Cagliostro is interesting because it is the only one of Miyazaki’s movies (that I know of anyway) that is based on someone else’s franchise (in this case, Monkey Punch.) It is also the cleanest Lupin I have ever seen. If it wasn’t for Manga’s horrible dub, you could show it to a six-year old (and still can, if you don’t mind him hearing a bit of cursing.)

[KidCharlemagne]

Huh, I just finished watching Spirited Away and can’t say I liked it half as much as Princess Mononoke.

[RobuSensei]

*Originally posted by asterion *
Castle of Cagliostro is interesting because it is the only one of Miyazaki’s movies (that I know of anyway) that is based on someone else’s franchise (in this case, Monkey Punch.)

And it’s a damned good flick, too… However, I’d think that Kiki’s Delivery Service fits into that category, too. It’s based on a children’s book by Eiko Kadono, although Miyazaki took the characters and settings and added his own story to them. Ms. Kadono was upset with his additions, and almost killed the project; after Miyazaki and his producer visited her home, and had her visit the studio, they managed to persuade her to continue.

And don’t forget the aforementioned Howl’s Moving Castle…

There are some other Studio Ghibli films (not directed by Miyazaki) that are based on other works, too. Grave of the Fireflies, Ocean Waves, Whisper of the Heart, among others.

Here is a link to the English translation of the book, “Kiki’s Delivery Service”. (The Japanese cover looks much better, imho)

[dorkusmalorkusmafia]

As for Shinto being the basis of his films, of the Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli films I have seen, I’d say four out of fifteen of them have strong Shinto elements in their premises (My Neighbor Totoro, Pom Poko, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away).

Very interesting. These are the four movies I have seen. Since Shinto seemed to have an element in each of these I figured the others would have a little of something too.