Review of Spirited Away

An original and enchanting storyline and film.

En route to their new home a sulky 10 year old Chihiro and her family unwisely decide to take a short cut and duly arrive lost, at an abandoned theme park. All soon turns out not to be what it seems as Chihiro’s glutinous parents are transformed into pigs after eating the food of the spirits which reside in the park, which after sunset serves as a bath house for the spirits of their realm.
Chihiro is then faced with the dilemma of running free and escaping this unfamiliar and terrifying world which she has fallen into, or staying and finding a way to free her parents.

The characters are unique and refreshingly unobvious, stubborn, sulky and rude, bending away form the norm of other fairytales and animated films. The plot takes on very surreal twists but unlike others of Miyazaki’s films, remains easy to follow and comprehend.
The scenery and inter-character relations are beautiful and moving. The film is wrapped up very nicely with a great sense of the child Chihiro’s growth and maturity.


9/10