Princess Mononoke
(1997)
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Princess Mononoke
(1997)
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Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Billy Crudup | ... |
Ashitaka
(voice)
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Billy Bob Thornton | ... |
Jigo
(voice)
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Minnie Driver | ... |
Lady Eboshi
(voice)
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John DiMaggio | ... |
Gonza
(voice)
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Claire Danes | ... |
San
(voice)
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John DeMita | ... |
Kohroku
(voice)
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Jada Pinkett Smith | ... |
Toki
(voice)
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Gillian Anderson | ... |
Moro
(voice)
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Keith David | ... |
Okkoto
(voice)
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Corey Burton | ... |
Additional voices
(voice)
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Tara Strong | ... |
Additional voices
(voice) (as Tara Charandoff)
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Sherry Lynn | ... |
Additional voices
(voice)
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Matt K. Miller | ... |
Additional voices
(voice) (as Matt Miller)
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Marnie Mosiman | ... |
Additional voices
(voice)
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Julia Fletcher | ... |
Additional voices
(voice) (as Julia DeMita)
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While protecting his village from rampaging boar-god/demon, a confident young warrior, Ashitaka, is stricken by a deadly curse. To save his life, he must journey to the forests of the west. Once there, he's embroiled in a fierce campaign that humans were waging on the forest. The ambitious Lady Eboshi and her loyal clan use their guns against the gods of the forest and a brave young woman, Princess Mononoke, who was raised by a wolf-god. Ashitaka sees the good in both sides and tries to stem the flood of blood. This is met be animosity by both sides as they each see him as supporting the enemy. Written by Christopher Taguchi
The first time I saw Princess Mononoke I was completely moved and surprised. Since it was a Studio Ghibli film dubbed by Disney I liked the fact that it wasn't a "they all lived naively ever after" film. There were no complete "good" or "bad" guys. Even Lady Eboshi the most antagonist character in the movie had a reasonable motive for trying to get rid of the animal gods and cutting down the forest. Although it her actions were environmentally damaging and wrong in general, she did it to help her people survive which is what all the species on Earth strive for. Another wonderful aspect of the plot is that it sends a message - Protect the Earth and all will survive in peace - a message either discreetly or strongly portrayed in many of Miyazaki's films. Perhaps the portrayal of this message (and the tiny hint of San and Ashitaka's romance and Moro's views on nature) was what made the film so touching to me.
Like many Miyazaki movies, the animation (as always) is wonderful and nicely detailed which is also another quality that genuine Disney films lack (thank goodness for Studio Ghibli). The music was beautiful and well suited to the movie.
The only predicament to the movie is that it is a bit downbeat and does not contain much happy laughter (oh well, I can watch My Neighbor Totoro - also a good movie - for happy laughter.).
10/10 - And my favourite movie of all time.