Spirited Away

Duncan Gray

I've tried, I swear, to see this as the career- and decade-defining masterpiece of its repute. But in between a perfectly frightening beginning and a perfectly soulful ending, the kitchen-sink visual mentality of the long middle act loses me. Its string of setpieces is simultaneously too loose on a plot level and too blatant metaphorically—it both overstimulates and bores me, absent the delicate nature of Totoro.

Zachary T.

You need to see it as a kid and an adult to fully appreciate it, I think. I first saw it at 8. I found it scary, but fascinating. It filled me with a desire to explore and learn; I wanted to understand what baffled me, conquer it. It speaks to me in a very different (yet complimentary) way at 22. Sen's terror in the face of overwhelming responsibility, and yearning for a younger, simpler self, touched me deeply.

Greg S.

Not sure why it took me so long to jump on the Myazaki train but I'm glad I did. Watching Spirited Away I kept thinking about Eisenstein's thoughts on Disney and animation where he compared animation to fire on the basis of its infinite changeability. Miyazaki's knack for abstractions and changeability is precisely what I'd say makes him the most innovative filmmakers working today. Masterpiece.

Kelvane

I loved the creativity and thought that was put into this film. I just believe it could have been more focused. There are perhaps too many objects and locations that are so disparate its hard to tie together. Perhaps that was Miyazaki's intention though: a sprawling, spirited journey.

Kamran

Strangely I never had this rated. Well, from letterboxd: Bizarre and beautiful. 94/100 - Amazing

Gabe

Each world that Miyazaki creates is unique, fully realized, and utterly engrossing. This one is the most powerful and symbolic of them all.

Zac Weber

The first Miyazaki film I ever watched, and still one one of my favorites. The animation is transfixing. Spirited Away is truly essential viewing.

Who told you this room exists?

i remember being moved to tears when Chihiro finds out Haku is the spirit of a river.. it's just too beautiful.. beyond any kind of love i have ever seen.