Click here to return to homepage
or 
Home > Categories > Movies > Anime > Princess Mononoke review
Sick of adverts? Click here to join up for free and be rid of them.
NZ Classification PG - contains violence
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. Inflicted with its deadly curse, a young warrior sets out to the forests of the west in search of the cure that will save his life.
Once there, he becomes inextricably entangled in a bitter battle that matches Lady Eboshi and a proud clan of humans against the forests animal gods, who are led by the brave Princess Mononoke, a young woman raised by wolves.
Product reviews...
Review by: kiwifi
Dated: 18th of November, 2009
Typical of Hayao Miyazaki films, this anime presents beautiful, detailed and colourful artwork.
Princess Mononoke is a story of man's technology and development against nature. At times the storyline becomes somewhat diffuse and hard to follow. Overall, we get there in the end with a satisfactory conclusion.
It is an extremely intense and complex story and definitely not for very young children. Interestingly, the NZ classification is PG on grounds of violence, but it was the visual depiction of the boar-like 'demon-god' that got me. I don't especially recall noticing the violence in particular, maybe I was too intently concentrating on trying to follow the story. But I did find the visual impression of the demon-god to be quite deeply and lastingly disturbing, it was REALLY graphic and creepy - I very quickly didn't want to look at it. Fortunately it doesn't occupy too much of the movie real-estate, but more than enough for me.
Overall, the fundamental idea that we need to live in harmony with nature may be valid. And from the perspective of the skill and craft of Anime production this one delivers, although it is not one I would personally watch again.
Guest comments...
There are currently no comments on file. Will you click here and be the first?
Random listing from 'Movies'...
The horror comedy Zombieland focuses on two men who have found a way to survive a world overrun by zombies. Columbus is a big wuss - but when you're afraid of being eaten by zombies, fear can keep you alive. Tallahassee is an AK-toting, zombie-slaying' bad ass whose single determination is to get the last Twinkie on earth. As they join forces with Wichita and Little Rock, who have also found unique ways to survive the zombie mayhem, they will have to determine which is worse: relying on each other or succumbing to the zombies.
All trademarks, images and copyrights on this site are owned by their respective companies.
This is a free public forum presenting user opinions on selected products, and as such the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of KIWIreviews.co.nz and are protected under New Zealand law by the "Honest Opinion" clause of the Defamation Act of 1992. KIWIreviews accepts no liability for statements made on this site, under the assumption that they are the true and honest opinions of the individual posters. In most cases, prices and dates stated are approximate and should be considered as only guidelines.
"Computer games don't affect kids. I mean if Pac-Man affected us as kids, we'd all be running around in darkened rooms, munching magic pills and listening to repetitive electronic music."
Kristian Wilson, Nintendo, Inc, 1989
