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Mononoke Hime (Princess Mononoke) |
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Reviews & Articles |
Reviews 5 |
Reviews of the Miramax English-language version -- Film: Reviews 81 through 100
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81). Boxoffice Magazine
The following are representative quotes only; the full
text is available online at: November 1999 By Wade Major [...] For modern-day Japan, whose once-lush mountains and
forests were long ago demolished by the rush to industrialization, "Princess
Mononoke" is a story that cuts to the heart and soul of a nation. Outside of Japan, its emotional immediacy is less
certain. Even more uncertain is how a 132-minute animated feature with no
songs, some graphic dismemberment and decapitations and extensive mythological
references will be received by mainstream American audiences. Even the film's
PG-13 rating may not sufficiently prepare Anime novices for what they will
see. On the other hand, "Princess Mononoke" is an undeniably
elegant and visually sophisticated effort, further benefiting from a more
accessible setting than cyberpunk-influenced Anime classics like "Akira."
Whether or not the film's considerable attributes will be enough to lure
American audiences depends, yet again, on the ever-savvy Miramax marketing
machine. 82). Film.com The following are representative quotes only; the full
text is available online at: November 1999 By Peter Brunette Princess Mononoke, the grand and glorious feature-
length animation film that has set Titanic-sized box-office records in
Japan, is finally arriving on U.S. shores, spiffed up with a host of familiar
American voices that will make it seem as cozily homey as the latest animated
product from Disney. But Disney, thank God, it ain't. Much more mythic and risk-taking than the usual Hollywood
product that turns complex literary characters like the Hunchback of Notre Dame
into adorable, squeezable little friends, Princess Mononoke inhabits an
utterly different sort of animated realm. It's big and breathtaking, and it
knows how to use music and silence in enthralling ways that make the characters
in our animated films seem like empty-headed chatterboxes. Here, the
characters - including the women --have the weight and heft of the taciturn,
mystical Samurai so familiar from great Japanese classics like The Seven
Samurai. [...] 83). Film.com The following are representative quotes only; the full
text is available online at: November 1999 By Gemma Files Japanese master animator Hayao Miyazaki, writer/director
of Princess Mononoke -- already hailed by Animefantastique magazine as
perhaps "the best animated film EVER" -- has stated in interviews that he never
watches his own films again after their initial release. Which means he hasn't
seen -- and never will, one assumes -- the surprisingly respectful job his
former greatest Western rivals, the Disney conglomerate, have done of co-opting
and repackaging Mononoke for North American consumption. Which is a bit
of a pity, since instead of just redubbing it and burying it with a straight-
to-video release (as happened with two of his older films, Kiki's Delivery
Service and My Neighbor Totoro), the Mouseketeers have instead
treated this seminal ecology-and-mythology epic with the reverence it deserves:
They've recruited "Sandman" comic book scribe Neil Gaiman as primary
translator, and backed his poetic script up with a vocal cast that truly runs
the cultural gamut, from "real" actors like Minnie Driver and Billy Bob
Thornton to pop icons like Gillian Anderson. [...] Sure, as someone who finds corporate culture innately
frightening, I can always do without the Mouse's creeping influence. But in a
world where movies -- adult- and child-oriented alike -- seem increasingly
afraid to say anything about anything, I'll take the opinionated magic and
mayhem of Princess Mononoke any way I can get it . . . even when it
comes wrapped in a pair of Mickey ears. 84). SPLICED Online The following are representative quotes only; the full
text is available online at: November 1999 By Rob Blackwelder Some foreign films should never be dubbed. Reading an
elementary translation in subtitle while hearing the passion and emotion in the
inflection of the original voices is often more honest and more engrossing than
hearing the same words spoken in English. This seems to be especially true of "Princess Mononoke,"
an animated, fairy tale allegory about mankind's exploitation of nature set in
feudal Japan and created by anime master Hayao Miyazaki. Redubbed for American release, this handsome, stirring
movie looks and feels spectacular with its incredible watercolors of forest
landscapes, its giant and intelligent wild animals and its ancient, epic
mythology. But boy, does it sound silly with its leaden translations
spoken by such miscast voice talent as Claire Danes as a girl raised by wolves
and Billy Bob Thornton as a double-dealing monk. [...] 86). Montreal Gazette The following are representative quotes only; the full
text is available online at: November 5, 1999, Friday [...] It's wise to keep in mind that the Japanese film Princess
Mononoke is nothing like the Disney production Mulan. Both are animated epics
that draw on Far Eastern folklore and contemporary imagination. Both bend
gender conventions out of shape and produce strong female characters who carve
their own destiny. But that's where the similarities end. The look of the film differs strikingly from the rounded,
cuddly style of the typical Disney movie. Princess Mononoke is all speed, sharp
edges, saucer-shaped eyes, furrowed brows, and abrupt dynamics set against a
watercolour background of extreme peace and beauty. The contrast can be numbing
at times. For those passionate about animation of all shapes and
sizes, Princess Mononoke is the motherlode of alternative animated experiences.
For those unfamiliar with the distinctive look and pacing of much of the
animation coming out of Japan, the experience will run the gamut, from
intriguing, to annoying. [...] 86). CHUD - Cinematic Happenings Under
Development The following are representative quotes only; the full
text is available online at: November 10, 1999, Wednesday By Nick Nunziata [...] The story is a good one, filled with many familiar
scenarios and themes. It's been called Japan's STAR WARS and that's a stretch
but it is quite good. However, it is predictable and either Sandman creator
Neil Gaiman's translation to English has created some very awkward dialogue ("I
don't want to be turned into a demon", WHO WOULD? Other than me of course) or
there are a few stumbling blocks in the story. The look of the film is lush and sometimes gorgeous,
although not the best I've seen in a cartoon. The characters are fresh
(especially the great little head bobbing forest spirits who rattle their heads
and guide Ashitaka through the forest, and in the funniest scene, stare at the
remains of a cut twig as if a loved one has just been assassinated). I think the praise this film has been given is a little
heavy, but the film takes a neat angle on the dawn of technology and the raping
of nature by man and it has moments of brilliance. If all goes well, this could
be a good step towards mainstream acceptance for this medium. Princess Mononoke
is a solid film that easily is the best cartoon Disney's released in a while
(although the only thing they've done is distribute it) and it will convert
many a new face to Anime and a creator worth watching. [...] 87). DailyRadar.com The following are representative quotes only; the full
text is available online at: November 11, 1999, Thursday By Frank O'Connor After what seems (to anime fans, at least) an
interminable delay, Hayao Miyazaki's animated blockbuster, Princess Mononoke,
has hit American screens. Filled to cacophony with Western voice talent, the
two-hour-plus epic draws heavily on Japanese and Ainu mythologies, showing
animist gods in conflict with a small pocket of industrial revolution. In
heavy-handed fashion, we are told that good and evil exist in all, and that
nothing is as simple as it seems. Because this fable is told in cartoon form,
we are expected to believe that it is original and deep. In fact, Princess
Mononoke is overlong and trite. [...] So why all the hype? The animation doesn't beat any
Disney movie; the acting is not particularly strong; and the plot is revealed
to be senseless by a weak, morally tweaked, and abrupt ending. Akira -- another
breakthrough anime (which was a much more interesting film) -- had a muddled
and absurd premise but overwhelmed with its vision of future Japan. Princess
Mononoke is better in the original Japanese with subtitles, and that's how it
should be relished. 88). Vancouver Sun The following are representative quotes only; the full
text is available online at: November 12, 1999, Friday By Katherine Monk Like some mutant lovechild born from an affair between
Godzilla and Pokemon's yellow Pikachu, Princess Mononoke is part cute and
cuddly, part brute and ugly. An epic animated tale set in Japan's ancient past,
the movie essentially unravels the tense relationship between man, nature and
the divine spirit that unites us all. [...] While it's hard not to like a movie that inspires a
deeper look at society, Princess Mononoke is far from a perfect picture. The
narrative suffers from an excess of ambition, trying to fit too much into an
already complicated story. Characters aren't fully developed and drama leaks
out from all sides. However, thanks to its theme and brilliant animation that
owes nothing to Disney aesthetics, Princess Mononoke is a film that deserves to
be seen, and thought about, by people of all ages. 89). USA Today The following are representative quotes only; the full
text is available online at: October 28, 1999, Thursday By Andy Seiler In its original incarnation, Hayao Miyazaki's
eye-catching animated epic Princess Mononoke broke box office records, topping
every movie but Titanic in its native Japan. Miramax's new English-language
version has been translated by renowned fantasy writer Neil Gaiman and dubbed
effectively, with Claire Danes supplying the voice of the title character, and
Billy Crudup, Minnie Driver, Gillian Anderson, Jada Pinkett Smith and Billy Bob
Thornton in other parts. But this is still very much a Japanese movie. The folk
tales and history on which the film relies will be unfamiliar to most
Americans, and the visual references to different ethnic groups and historical
periods will ring no bells. [...] Still, Princess Mononoke, which tells the story of a
boy's quest to overcome a mysterious affliction after a run-in with a demonic
boar, is a must-see for animation fans. Miyazaki portrays nature with a
breathtaking touch, from rocks in a rippling stream to a thunderstorm shown
from first drops to climactic deluge. [...] 90). ShowBIZ Data The following are representative quotes only; the full
text is available online at: October 29, 1999, Friday By Lesley Jacobs Princess Mononoke, the first Japanese anime film
to be released to a wide American audience, arrives on these shores with a
proud history. [...] Resolutely adult in both themes and approach, this is not
animation for the Disney generation. [...] the film appeals because of its
sophistication and its poetry, as well as the refreshing absence of cheery
musical numbers. [...] [...] Embodying the essence of Japanese philosophy,
[Ashitaka] desperately tries to strike a balance between man and nature. It is
this core idea that powers the film. There is no good or evil here, no right
and wrong. Rather, the journey for all the characters is to learn how to
coexist, to create harmony from disarray. It's these somewhat spiritual ideas
-- as well as a long-winded middle act -- that will alienate most Western
audiences, which tend to be more eager to embrace black and white heroes and
villains. What amazes you as you watch the film, though, is the
sheer majesty of the animation. Nothing against Disney or Pixar, but director
Miyazaki's Japanese crew has created a world of such scope that it is sometimes
staggering. The color saturation and luminosity of the images, combined with an
epic score, work to convey the themes better than any words. [...] While some of the film's sequences are a bit elliptical -
- especially the final confrontation with the Forest God -- the overall effect
here is elegant and restrained, thanks in great part to Neil Gaiman's
adaptation, which captures the magic of Miyazaki's world. This is complemented
in no small part by voice director Jack Fletcher, who has aptly guided his
American cast to make the ideas and emotions accessible. Everyone involved in
Princess Mononoke clearly realized that it is not idealistic, fairy tale
animation for the masses. Rather the film embraces the Japanese sensibility,
never cheapens it, pressing us to look inside ourselves and seek out our own
sense of balance with the universe. Spiritual, yes, but that is the essence of
Anime. 91). Toronto Sun The following are representative quotes only; the full
text is available online at: October 29, 1999, Friday By Bob Thompson [...] Mixed with this sort of brazen action and adventure are
Miyazaki's philosophical trappings as he exposes man's inhumanity to man and
nature. Despite the musings, there are no obvious heroes and
villains in Princess Mononoke, the title referring to the young girl who rides
with the wolf gods. But there is something compelling. Miyazaki's dedication to detailing the feudal lords,
peasants, tribesmen and samurai warriors of the time is astounding. His pacing, as usual, is magical. His characterizations
are vivid and complete. Even those who find the Japanese art of animation awkward
and distracting would not deny Miyazaki's storytelling power in Princess
Mononoke. [...] It likely won't do that well here. Miyazaki isn't
celebrated by the mainstream as he is in Japan. And it's just too long for its
own movie good. More unfortunate is the casting. The English language
actors they chose to voice the characters hurt, rather than help, the feature's
cause. [...] 92). Images Journal The following are representative quotes only; the full
text is available online at: November 1999 By David Ng Every so often a single movie shakes up its own genre,
redefining it, and altering its course for good. Last Tango in Paris
did it for erotica, 2001: A Space Odyssey for sci-fi, and
Goodfellas for gangster films. Now Princess Mononoke is poised
to change animation. [...] Whereas other anime films have
failed to make the cultural cross-over, Princess Mononoke transcends its
subgenre by creating a simple story, populating it with complex characters, and
couching it all in brilliant, breathtaking animation. [...] Of course it helps that the voices have been re-dubbed
into English. Among the cast members are Claire Danes, Billy Bob Thorton, and
Gillian Anderson. But the real stand-outs are Billy Crudup as Ashitaka and
Minnie Driver as Lady Eboshi. They bring subtlety and intelligence to their
roles. Together, they are the movie’s most interesting couple because though
they are adversaries, they are cut from the same intellectual cloth. The true star of Princess Mononoke is its creator,
Hayao Miyazaki. He takes animation a step further than anyone else by creating
images we can’t imagine imagining. The death of a forest spirit, for instance,
becomes both tragic and beautiful in his hands. Its dying body spreads
canopy-like over the forest, covering everything in a gorgeous green mist.
Miyazaki’s originality is on a par with Welles’ and Kubrick’s. He conjures a
very specific world, one that feels authentic and that doesn’t end at the
screen’s edge. Princess Mononoke will certainly change the way
critics judge animated movies, but it is uncertain how major studios or
audiences will respond. The audience at the New York Film Festival was
unmoved. A number of people walked out, and the applause was weak given the
hype surrounding the screening. Perhaps audiences became confused by the
introduction of moral ambiguity in an animated movie. This confirms Princess
Mononoke’s status as an evolutionary shot in the arm. Like most
masterpieces, it will offend before it enlightens. 93). IMDB The following are representative quotes only; the full
text is available online at: November 1999 By Harvey S. Karten [...] By contrast Hayao Miyazaki's epic "Princess Mononoke" is
a veritable Fuji of a complicated, difficult story about as multidimensional as
a series of Marcel Proust recherches. But the time the tale is over, though,
the pieces come together. You won't place the old moral that the underdog will
prevail in this one but rather a whole succession of themes, universal in
scope, among which is the idea that warfare among competing clans (and even
species) does not necessarily take place between the forces of good and evil.
The gods are not on anyone's side in this anime, because both positions have
validity and, in fact, a single human being can possess elements of good and
evil. Sounds strangely enough like the current reality, no? [...] 94). Film Scouts The following are representative quotes only; the full
text is available online at: November 1999 By Debra Lass Mapping, morphing, particleanimation. If these terms send
a welcome shiver of anticipation down your spine, then you'll be pleased to
know that "Princess Mononoke", Hayao Miyazaki's animated import from Japan,
combines the best of digital technology with the beauty of traditional cel
painted animation. If you are, like many, technologically impaired, but
appreciate a good story, then read on. [...] [...] I found myself struggling after the 90-minute mark
and I can't help but wonder if the film would have a broader appeal on this
side of the Pacific if it were about 30 minutes shorter. Still, in addition to the lush visuals and lovely score
by Joe Hisaishi, there is much to appreciate in "Princess Mononoke", such as
the sound advice given to Ashitaka by a fortuneteller when he embarks on his
quest: "to see the world with unclouded eyes." The message of "Princess
Mononoke" is an important one that, a few years back, was posed simply by a now
infamous Los Angelean when he asked, "Can't we all just get along?" - and
there's nothing Mickey Mouse about that. 95). BayInsider The following are representative quotes only; the full
text is available online at: November 1999 By Jeffery Anderson Princess Mononoke "Princess Mononoke" is very dense. It's as complicated as
a real war, with illegal bargaining, greed, and cheating running underneath
outward bravado and patriotism. This is an epic on the scale of "Gone With the
Wind" (1939) or "Glory" (1989). This film begins with a sequence that is one of
the greatest cinematic achievements I've ever seen: an incredible demonic
beast, a boar with hundreds of worm-like tentacles coming from everywhere on
his body, attacks a remote Japanese village. [...] [...] "Princess Mononoke" is perhaps Miyazaki's most
accomplished work. It definitely struck a chord in Japan where it is the all-
time box-office champion, second only to "Titanic" (1997). And, along with "The
Iron Giant" and "South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut" (both 1999), it shatters
the decades-old American definition of animation. From now on, animation can be
for adults as well as kids. See "Princess Mononoke" in the theater and allow
yourself to be blown away. With luck and common sense, it will also be released
on a DVD that will allow viewers to watch it again and again in both dubbed and
subtitled versions as we choose. 96). cinematter.com The following are representative quotes only; the full
text is available online at: November 1999 By Matt Williams [...] Capsule Review: Brilliantly drawn, this
beautiful story is much more complex (and confusing) than typical American
animated fare. Not for the very young, The Princess Mononoke can be stunningly
violent at times. But for fans of animation, this is a must see. 97). movies101.com The following are representative quotes only; the full
text is available online at: November 1, 1999, Monday By Robert Glatzer [...] The story of "Princess Mononoke" was written by
Miyazaki, and although it is meant to be a kind of neo-medieval epic it is the
least successful part of his creation, full of great sequence openings and
fascinating characters, who unfortunately are not connected well enough with
each other, so that the film's plot moves by little fits and starts, sometimes
even doubling back on itself and changing its characters' personalities. These
self-contradictions almost eviscerate the power of the film. forcing them to
act against what we thought was their own best interest. I don't think this is
a fault of the translation, but of the conception itself. [...] [...] It's all much too much for the film to sustain, and
there never is any consistency about what each individual or group needs or
wants. There is a final battle, of sorts, between the demons and the non-
demons, but what power it might have had is vitiated by the confused
writing. The film, however, is amazing to look at. Diametrically
opposed to the Disney style, nothing is cute here. There are no cartoon
stereotypes, no pratfalls, no wisecracks from second bananas. The story is
taken seriously, the characters, whether human or animal, are all articulate,
and the animation is so real you have no difficulty suspending disbelief.
Visually, at least, it is masterful and can stand as a supreme work of
animation. 98). Seattle Post-Intelligencer The following are representative quotes only; the full
text is available online at: November 5, 1999, Friday By William Arnold [...] [...] It's a dazzling movie, gorgeous to look at,
involving on both emotional and intellectual levels, and often thrilling.
Audiences here could find it a welcome relief from the increasingly formulaic
animated offerings of late-'90s Hollywood. [...] In outline, it sounds like a kid's movie, but it's not.
For one thing, it's realistically violent, filled with decapitations,
mutilations and spurting blood. And, while its animation (mostly hand-drawn) is
stunning, it's moody and often upsetting, evoking the harshness of humanity as
often as it does the soft beauty of nature. The script is filled with philosophical ambiguity and a
surprising complexity of character (so it's never easy to tell the bad guys
from the good guys). And it makes its thematic point -- the need to strike a
balance between the forces of man and nature -- in such a thoughtful, low-key
way that kids could miss it entirely. Still, for older teens and grown-ups, "Princess Mononoke"
makes an exhilarating and uniquely entertaining mystical adventure -- one that
creates its own magical world so effectively that it just might well be the
long-expected hit that will turn on the U.S. mass audience to the glories of
Japanese animation. [...] 99). LeisureSuit.net The following are representative quotes only; the full
text is available online at: November 8, 1999, Monday By Heather Corrina Princess Mononoke,
directed by Japanese filmmaker and environmentalist Hayao Miyazaki and released
in 1997, was Japan's largest grossing film ever. Now that it's finally released
in the States, with a brilliant English adaptation by writer and cult figure
Neil Gaiman and a slew of celebrity voices, we can share in this treat. Oddly,
it has been done so well they are now showing the English version, subtitled in
Japanese, back in Japan where it came from. [...] It is this journey which begins the tale that,
unlike the dualistic moral cartoons Disney weaves, has many characters who are
neither good nor evil, but individuals with their own interests and agendas.
These characters are often at odds with one another, but all are struggling to
find balance between industrialism and nature. One can easily see why "Sandman"
and "NeverWhere" author Gaiman (who when first asked to do the adaptation,
intended to decline) couldn't resist such a tale: it is complex and
multifaceted, and incorporates Jungian archetypes and mythological beasts. Stylistically, the film is gorgeous. Instead of choosing
one artistic style, it layers numerous styles, including anime, impressionism,
realistic landscape, aboriginal imagery and surrealistic compositions.
[...] [...] There isn't a happy and majestic ending to this
film--what Miyazaki makes clear is that if there is harmony between humans and
animals, and industrialism and nature, it is tenuous at best, and there is no
real way for either side to reign victorious. He says so without preachiness,
but with humor, solid characters, a solid story, and gorgeous visual
treats. I didn't expect to like Mononoke, but I was
floored by its genius [...] It is not uncommon for foreign films to make the
schlock Hollywood churns out look trite, but it is unusual for it to be done
quite so well and produced so beautifully. For those of you not lucky enough to
have your viewing prefaced by Gaiman as I did, I'll follow his own sentiments
in saying I'd see it again and again. In each of the premieres he has attended,
he fully meant to leave the film after it had begun, having been immersed in it
so much during its production, but at this point he has watched it over seven
times in its entirety. 100). FilmInk Online The following are representative quotes only; the full
text is available online at: November 10, 1999 By 'Lynchpyn' "Princess Mononoke," a Japanese import made in
their native land in 1997, is visually, and sometimes plottingly original
too. [...] What does detract from the film, it the obvious "white"
sounding voices. Why not cast unknown, Asian dialects? Billy Bob Thornton and
Claire Danes would not have been my primary candidates in the first place.
Also, the running time is over two-hours and 20-minutes, more than 40-minutes
overlong, and rumored to have been even longer in its original Japanese format.
But no matter, "Princess Mononoke" is a beautiful film to look at with
wonderfully textured and top notch animation. I only wonder if Neil Gaiman, in
charge of the English version of the screenplay, did not manipulate
director/writer Hayao Miyazaki's original vision. Although this will no doubt
be trampled in the rush for the other Japanese import, "Pokémon," out in
theaters tomorrow. [...]
http://www.boxoff.com/cgi/getreview.pl?where=Name&filename=All&terms=PRINCESS+MONONOK
PRINCESS MONONOKE
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http://www.film.com/film-review/1999/13159/100/default-review.html
Disney It Ain't
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http://www.film.com/film-review/1999/13159/4946/default-review.html
Magic and Mayhem
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http://www.splicedonline.com/99reviews/mononoke.html
LOST IN THE TRANSLATION
Leaden English dialogue from miscast voice talent
diminishes the power of 'Mononoke'
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http://www.montrealgazette.com/sports/pages/991105/3101538.html
Princess Mononoke
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http://www.chud.com/reviews/princessmononoke.htm
"An epic animation from the Far East"
PRINCESS MONONOKE
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http://www.dailyradar.com/reviews/movie_review_116.html
Princess Mononoke
This is what happens when Hollywood tries to
Hollywood-ize an otherwise well-executed Japanese movie
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http://www.vancouversun.com/newsite/entertainment/991112/3135389.html
A study in human extremes
A story of man, nature and the divine that owes
nothing to Disney, Princess Mononoke rises above the good-versus-evil standards
of animated fare.
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http://www.usatoday.com/life/enter/movies/movie058.htm
'Mononoke' whirls in from Japan
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PRINCESS MONONOKE
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http://www.canoe.ca/JamMoviesReviewsP/princessmonoke_thompson.html
Voices fail strong animated adventure
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http://www.imagesjournal.com/issue08/reviews/nyff/default-mononoke.htm
Princess Mononoke
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http://reviews.imdb.com/Reviews/206/20680
Mononoke Hime (1997)
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"Mononoke Hime (Princess Mononoke)"
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http://www.bayinsider.com/entertainment/movies/nov5_movieguide.html
Bay Area Movie Preview
"Princess Mononoke" is a terrific new animated movie -- a milestone -- and I am
officially recommending it. But parents should think twice before taking young
children to see it. Many kids will probably love it, but this PG-13 rated film
has mature themes and contains quite a bit of graphic gore.
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Princess Mononoke
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Princess Mononoke
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'Princess Mononoke' should dazzle U.S. audiences as well
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http://www.leisuresuit.net/Webzine/articles/princess_mononoke.shtml
Review: Princess Mononoke
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PRINCESS MONONOKE, THE
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