I'm not a manga freak, like some of my friends. It isn't that I don't like manga movies; the problem is that I just don't watch them. When I'm in the video store I always end up with something else. But, now, finally I have seen my first manga movie: Spirited Away, directed by Hayao Miyazaki. And, I got happily surprised by realizing that I might just have found a new type of movies to enjoy!
The movie is about this little cute girl, Chihiro, who is moving to a new place together with her parents. On their way to their new house they find a tunnel, which they (against Chihiro's will) decide to investigate. On the other side of the tunnel they find an abandon amusement park and soon after that the reality is changing into something more surrealistic and Chihiro find her self trapped at a huge luxury bath house where she will have to find a job, avoid being caught and at the same time try to rescue her parents from being transformed to pigs for ever.
It is a story about growing up, being brave, and about love. It is cute, funny and leaves you with a lot to think of, since the movie is full of symbolism. My favourite character besides Chihiro is the ghost No-Face. I like the way Japanese stories are told. Just like Japanese horror/thrillers (like for example "Dark Water" or "the Ring) you never really know how it is going to end.
I think that Spirited Away is a great movie for "manga beginners" and I would like to recommend to anyone who is curious about the manga culture and manga movies! |
