Foolish and naive are just some of the qualifiers that can be used to describe Chihiro Ogino, a 10-year-old girl who must change homes with her parents. During the journey to their new home, the family seems to find a kind of amusement park that looks abandoned and in which unprecedented things start to happen when the sun goes down. Ghosts appear, gods interact with each other, etc. Without noticing our young protagonist crossed into the spirit world. This is where Chihiro's journey begins.
In addition to being the director, Miyazaki was in charge of the script, as well as the story, one that is so impressive and that moves everyone who sees it. It is for these reasons and some others that "Spirited Away" became the highest grossing film of Japanese cinema and become one of the best of the decade 2000 - 2010. Having thirty-five prizes to its credit throughout his career, including an Oscar for Best Animation Film.
At the beginning of the story we witness the disobedient behavior of Chihiro, a somewhat stubborn young woman who deserves a good scare or mild punishment. At the right moment in which she sees her parents transform in front of her, an adventure begins that takes her towards her own maturity and acceptance. We, on the other hand, see this adventure imperceptibly and we are surprised by the wonders he sees and feels thanks to a narrative that is very close and well connected.
Miyazaki reveals that in "Spirited Away" nothing is impossible what comes to provoke sensations to the public. Every scene and moment are unforgettable. Everything seems to be alive and tells a symbolism difficult to read for the first time, so to see it again, and to fully realize those little details, gives you to understand how great the story that is presented to us. A story that goes from the strongest drama to moments of laughter in a masterful way, without neglecting the romantic touches that undoubtedly give us a happy feeling.
Another strong point of this film is the design, because there are not only humans as I mentioned at the beginning, we came across the Yōkai, beings of Japanese culture that can have various forms, from ghosts to monsters with parts of different creatures. Although some give the impression of being terrifying, we soon realize that this is not the case, because all beings have a good and kind side that can be seen without a doubt. Regardless of the interests of anyone who sees the film, we can observe something that at first glance would make us "ugly" but it is totally adorable and can reach tender even the most difficult.
Miyazaki does a great job as soon as the story is over, but it does not stay behind in his direction, because at all times we are in a never-ending circle of events that do not allow us to distract ourselves until we see the letters of the credits, when process the surprise that has passed through our eyes whether or not the first time we visualize this film.
Talking about animation, Studio Ghibli returns to take the caste and teaches us why it is one of the best animation studios. Scenarios beautiful and full of color, fluidity and incredible design. Putting all this together with the magnificent soundtrack composed by Joe Hisaishi and interpreted by the New Japan philharmonic. These melodies won the best composition award at the Mainichi Film Competition Award. This is a great movie that everyone should see at least once before they die.
Rubén Conde
Source of images: Own
