Mononoke-hime
Watch Links: MAX
Synopsis: A prince seeks out a cure for a demonic infection which threatens to kill him, and in his search finds himself in the middle of a conflict between a mining colony in the mountains and the guardians of those mountain forests.
Score: 7.5/10
Princess Mononoke is a film I'd been anticipating for a long time, since I feel like this is one of the most well regarded Ghibli films, and I can certainly see why it has such acclaim. Every aspect of the film is gorgeous. It features truly breathtaking imagery, with an amazing soundtrack backing it. It does feel like it stands out, even amongst other Ghibli films, although there are also plenty of similarities. I appreciate the way the film portrays the struggle between nature and man, and man's folly in trying to overcome nature instead of live alongside it.
I didn't know too much of what to expect going into the movie, and so I was pretty surprised how long it took to get to San's first appearance and how it focuses instead on Ashitaka, a character I really don't hear anyone talk about I feel like. I did like Ashitaka for what it's worth, he just wasn't who I expected the film to focus on, and he's kind of a mixed bag for me. His outsider status does afford him some leeway in how he acts, but he's generally too idealistic for my liking. I do appreciate that, when it came down to it, he'd take action instead of allow his ideals to prevent him from doing what he needed to do, but he still spends a lot of the movie where I didn't feel like he was accomplishing anything. Ashitaka's refusal to take a side while the two sides fought did make me kind of struggle a bit with finding a motive to really get behind beyond just stopping the fighting, but it also is pretty indispensable as a part of the film. The added layer of the conflict between men also worked quite nicely.
I also wasn't sold at all on the relationship between San and Ashitaka. I was surprised that the film ended with San telling Ashitaka that she loved him. I never really got the sense that they'd connected. He'd shown he was different from other humans, so I can get her having some interest in him, but "love" felt kinda forced. I do appreciate that she doesn't change her convictions or way of life just to be with him. I kinda understand why people like San so much. In general, it was interesting seeing the film's presentation of women. It flipped the gender roles in an entertaining way.
This is probably on the upper end of my rankings for Ghibli movies, which needless to say puts it well above most other anime. I don't think it holds as personal a connection for me as Kiki's Delivery Service, though, and instead it feels like it fits more alongside stuff like Spirited Away.
Gonna go with an 8/10 for now.
