Fly Away

Spirited Away (2001)
Genre : Japanese Animation / Adventure / Fantasy
Director : Hayao Miyazaki / Kirk Wise (Co-dierctor for english version)


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I saw this movie at least two-three times as a kid. The first time I watched it at my friend's house. Unfortunately I started watching it from the scene where Sen meets Kamaji and the soot creatures, and thought the movie was weird. Now that I've seen it again with much more experience (both in life and films), I have broader perspective and wider understanding of the plot and the hidden meanings behind the scenes.

The film starts off with close up of a bouquet and a card that Chihiro's friend gave to Chihiro as a good-bye message. In the beginning of the film, Chihiro is portrayed as a little girl who fears to be alone and who still needs care from others. These characteristics of Chihiro, however, changes throughout the film as she experiences adventurous--and somewhat dreamy--events in a whole new world.

The background music, like in many other films, plays a great role in rising the tension and suspense among the viewers. For instance, when Chihiro was going down the battered stairs to Kamaji, the music plays each time she carefully takes a step down.

The film amazingly depicts the characteristics of Japanese bathhouse. It also advertises the bathhouses: although I've never been to one, I could clearly see how organized and systematic it was, and it surely made me want to go see it in reality.

There are so many more things in this film that amazed me. Each character had his/her own interesting/unique/cute traits; some of the background looked like canvas from postcards; the details and other techniques used to meticulously build the film just blew me away. I am literally in love with this film and the characters! :D

*A little peek at what else will be discussed in the posts-soon-to-come:
- Yubaba = a wicked witch??
- size difference b/w Yubaba and Sen & what it means figuratively
- symbols?
- and more...... =]

*Just for fun! :)