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Japanese
Spirit World
Through
the rabbit hole ...
BY
LOIS WADSWORTH
SPIRITED AWAY: Written
and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. U.S. Production: Directed by Kirk
Wise. Producer, Donald W. Ernst. Executive producer, John Lasseter.
English language adaptation by Cindy Davis Hewitt, Donald H. Hewitt.
Starring Daveigh Chase, Suzanne Pleshette, Susan Egan and Jason Marsden.
With David Ogden Stiers, Lauren Holly, Michael Chiklis and Tara Strong.
Studio Ghibli. Walt Disney Studios. Buena Vista Pictures Distribution,
2002. PG. 124 minutes.
Here's another smart, elegant, animé fairy
tale by Japan's master of the genre, Hayao Miyazaki, whose earlier
films seen in this country — Kiki's Delivery Service
(1998) and Princess Mononoke (1999) — should assure him
of a major audience. While the rating is PG, I feel that the film
is a little too scary for young children, but just right for mature
children of any age who like their fairy tales straight up, with few
of the comforting illusions Walt Disney used to cutesify his animated
children's films. In the tradition of the original Grimm brothers'
European folk tales, idiosyncratic details abound in character, action
and setting, each a rich vein to mine for meaning and nuance.
 |
| TEA
TIME FOR NO-FACE, CHIHIRO AND YUBABA'S GOOD TWIN, ZENIBA. |
The story is pretty simple. A 10-year old girl, Chihiro
(voice of Daveigh Chase, from Lilo and Stitch), resists moving
to a new town with her parents (Lauren Holly and Michael Chiklis).
Father takes a wrong turn and ends up on a bumpy road through the
forest that stops at the entrance to a strange tunnel. On the other
side lie the remains of a theme park. Chihiro doesn't want to go into
the tunnel or into the park with her parents. She's cranky, whiney
and rude. In a little shop that's uninhabited, she leaves her parents
pigging out from a buffet piled high with food. When she sees them
later, they have been enchanted and changed. Into pigs!
From there, Chihiro is on her own, and if she had
not met up with Haku (Jason Marsden), a boy a little older than she,
she would surely have been captured by the guards of the spooky castle
that towers over the park. Every night, spirits cross the bridge to
the castle to eat, drink and bathe in warm water tubs. Many customers
are strange looking, but none more than No-Face, with his white mask-like
face that hovers on a body covered by a black robe. Everyone in the
castle, where no humans are allowed, works very, very hard. To achieve
her goals, Chihiro must learn to be obedient, hardworking and fearless.
Among the characters Chihiro meets are Kamaji (David
Ogden Stiers), the multi-limbed character who keeps the boiler room
humming. He tests the girl's inner strength by sending her to Yubaba
(Suzanne Pleshette), the witch who runs the whole spirit operation
here. Yubaba takes away Chirhoro's name, which gives her power over
the girl, and renames her Sen. Lin (Susan Egan), a young woman who
works in the castle teaches Sen what she needs to know and eventually
becomes her friend.
The film's concern is simple: greed. Even before Chihiro
and her parents arrive at the spirit place, Father drives recklessly
through the environment in his 4-wheel drive SUV. At the castle, the
customers eat too much, Yubaba has too many possessions, and the servants'
desire to acquire gold is all-consuming. Quality of life exists for
no one. Pollution is rampant. And there is no leadership of conscience
to guide the people.
It's easy to say that Miyazaki may intend only to
suggest Japan's natural resource crunch, but we shouldn't let ourselves
off too easy. The greedy witch at the top, Yubaba, has curiously Western
features. The class structure in the castle certainly could represent
the lopsidedness of economies worldwide, where 5 percent of the population
controls 25 percent of the wealth. Or better yet (for this example),
the U.S. alone, where the top 5 percent control 60 percent of the
wealth.
Spirited Away is definitely the most beautiful
animated film I've seen. John Lasseter (Toy Story) served as
executive producer for the new English-language, dubbed version of
Miyazaki's animé playing at the Bijou. Don't miss it. Highest
recommendations.
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OPENING
OR RETURNING:
Films open the Friday following
date of EW publication unless otherwise noted. See
archived movie reviews.
All Orientals Look Alike:
Short films by Valerie Soe at 7:30 pm on 11/29 at My House (1136 W.
5th). $4 donation.
Eight Crazy Nights, Adam Sandler's: Animated
holiday musical stars Adam Sandler as a basketball coach and a publicist
for the New York Knicks, who put together a wild and crazy deal. Other
voices include Jon Lovitz, Kevin Nealon, Rob Schneider and Tyra Banks.
Directed by Seth Kearley. PG-13. Cinema World. Cinemark.
Extreme Ops: Extreme sports athletes accidentally
photograph a war criminal hiding out in the Austrian Alps and must
out- ski and snowboard his revenges. Stars Devon Sawa, Bridgette Wilson-Sampras,
Rupert Graves and Rufus Sewell. Directed by Christian Duguay. PG-13.
Cinemark.
First Time I Wore Pantyhose, The: Films by
Bryan Konefsky at 7:30 pm on 11/30 at My House (1136 W. 5th). $4 donation.
Maid in Manhattan: Ralph Fiennes is a well-off
politician staying at a swank New York hotel. Jennifer Lopez is a
single-mother maid working there. He sees her dressed in a guest's
clothing and falls for her, like Richard Gere fell for Julia Roberts
in Pretty Woman. Not too enlightened nor original an idea.
PG-13. Sneak at 7:15 on 11/29 at Cinemark.
Metropolis (1926): Futuristic fantasy about
a mechanized society and hordes of subservient workers is shot is
gorgeous black-and-white. Don't miss this silent classic by Fritz
Lang. At 7 pm on 12/4 in 110 Fenton Hall, UO. Free.
Solaris: George Clooney stars in Steven Soderbergh's
remake of 1972 sci-fi movie by Russian master, Andrei Tarkovsky, about
scientists who fall under the spell of a strange planet that they
are orbiting. Costars Natascha McElhone and Jeremy Davies. PG-13.
Cinema World. Cinemark.
Stuart Little 2: Stuart goes to school now,
and he has big brother George and baby sister Martha to play with.
But a mysterious bird named Margalo involves everyone in an adventure.
Voices of Michael J. Fox, Melanie Griffith, Nathan Lane, Geena Davis
and more. PG. Movies 12.
They, Wes Craven Presents: Nightime terrors
return in this pseudo-psychological thriller starring Laura Regan,
directed by Robert Harmon. PG-13. Cinemark.
Treasure Planet: Robert Louis Stevenson's classic
adventure set on a spaceship that runs into hazards like black holes
and supernovas. Animated film directed by Ron Clements and John Musker
includes voices of Emma Thompson and Martin Short. PG. Cinemark. Cinema
World.
Tuxedo, The: PG-13. Jackie Chan's a limo driver
who borrows his boss' tux only to discover that it's a high-tech killing
machine. With Jennifer Love Hewitt and Peter Stormare. PG-13. Movies
12.
White Oleander: Peter Kosminsky directs the
film adaptation of this best-seller about a young girl (Alison Lohman)
who moves through several foster home after her mother (Michelle Pfeiffer)
goes to prison. Also stars Renée Zellweger, Robin Wright Penn,
Billy Connolly, Patrick Fugit and Noah Wyle. R. Movies 12.
CONTINUING:
Austin Powers in Goldmember:
Third time is charmed as Mike Myers comes back in multiple roles as
Austin Powers. With Michael Caine and Beyoncé Knowles. Directed
by Jay Roach. Mini-Me takes the cake! PG-13. Movies 12. Online
archives.
Barbershop: Sweet-natured comedy about a day
in the life of a south side Chicago barbershop stars Ice Cube, Cedric
the Entertainer, Sean Patrick Thomas, Troy Garity, Eve. This movie
makes you feel good. Recommended. PG-13. Movies 12. Online archives.
Die Another Day: Pierce Brosnan returns as
James Bond for a new mission that takes him to Iceland in this action
adventure yarn directed by Lee Tamahori. Costars Halle Berry, John
Cleese and Judi Dench, with Rosamund Pike. Evil enemies played by
Toby Stephens and Rick Yune. PG-13. Cinema World. Cinemark.
Eight Mile: Set on the gritty streets of Detroit,
Curtis Hanson's greatly anticipated film stars Eminem in his first
screen role, Kim Basinger as his mom. Also, Brittany Murphy, Mekhi
Phifer and Taryn Manning. R. Cinemark. Cinema World. Online archives.
Emperor's Club, The: Kevin Kline plays a dedicated
prep school teacher and Emile Hirsch, the son of a powerful senator,
is his student. Twenty years later, they meet again. PG-13. Cinemark.
Far From Heaven: Director Todd Haynes and cinematographer
Edward Lachman deliver an exceptionally beautiful, emotionally resonant
film. Excellent performances by Julianne Moore, Dennis Quaid, Dennis
Haysbert and Patricia Clarkson. Very highest recommendations. PG-13.
Bijou. Online archives.
Frida: Salma Hayak plays Frida Kahlo, the feminist
painter and wife of Mexico's great muralist and painter Diego Rivera
(Alfred Molina) and lover of Leon Trotsky (Geoffrey Rush). Directed
by Julie Taymor . R. Cinemark.
Friday After Next, The: In installment three
of the Friday series, Ice Cube and Mike Epps are back in the
neighborhood where it all began. Directorial debut of video director
Marcus Raboy. R. Cinemark.
Harry Potter: Chamber of Secrets: Again directed
by Chris Columbus, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint)
and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) try to uncover a dark force terrorizing
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. G. Cinema World. Cinemark.
Jackass: The Movie: Based on the MTV series,
more dangerous and silly stunts. R. Cinemark.
Master of Disguise: Dana Carvey plays Pistachio
Disguisey, a waiter who turns into whatever he thinks of next. PG.
Movies 12.
Men in Black 2: Jay (Will Smith) drags a reluctant
Kay (Tommy Lee Jones) back into the agency with the mission of "Protecting
the earth from the scum of the universe." Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld.
PG-13. Movies 12. Online archives.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding: It's about the 30-year
old, unmarried daughter (Nia Vardalos) in a passionate but demanding
Greek NY family, who meets the man she to marry (John Corbett), but
he isn't Greek. This sweet romantic comedy entertains. Run-away independent
hit of 2002!. Recommended. PG. Cinema World. Cinemark. Online archives.
Red Dragon: Anthony Hopkins returns as Hannibal
Lecter, the cannibal, serial killer, while Edward Norton, Ralph Fiennes,
Harvey Keitel, Emily Watson, Mary-Louise Parker and Philip Seymour
Hoffman flesh out the cast. Directed by Brett Ratner. R. Movies 12.
Ring, The: Gore Verbinski finds a solid cast
in Naomi Watts (Mulholland Drive), Chris Cooper and Brian Cox
for this remake of Hideo Nakata's 1998 Japanese horror film. PG-13.
Cinemark.
Santa Clause 2: Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) begins
looking for the perfect Mrs. Claus, because if he doesn't get married
by Christmas Even, he'll stop being Santa forever. G. Cinemark. Cinema
World.
Signs: Written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan
and starring Mel Gibson and Joaquin Phoenix in this supernatural thriller
about crop circles. Also stars Rory Culkin and Abigail Breslin. PG-13.
Movies 12. Online archives.
Spirited Away: Latest film from legendary Japanese
animation director Hayao Miyazaki (Princess Mononoke) follows
adventures of 10-year old girl, Chihiro, who discovers a secret world
and must take care of herself after her parents undergo a mysterious
transformation. Newly dubbed by John Lasseter (Toy Story),
this film is not just for kids. Critics are correctly calling it a
masterpiece. Very highest recommendations. PG. Bijou. See review
this issue.
Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams: Robert Rodriguez
says his sequel has lots of action, is fun and nobody dies. Stars
Antonio Banderas, Daryl Sabara and Alexa Vega. PG. Movies 12.
Transporter, The: Corey Yuen directs, Luc Bresson
produces and co-writes this crime thriller starring Asian star Shu
Qi and Jason Statham. PG-13. Movies 12.
Wilco: I'm Trying to Break Your Heart: Backstage
dramas and corporate shenanigans upset plans of American rock group
Wilco. Shot by Sam Jones in luminous black and white, the film is
an involving look at a band making its best music while under pressure.
Love this music! Very highly recommended. NR. Bijou.
XXX: Vin Diesel and Samuel L. Jackson star
in this athletic spy thriller directed by Rob Cohen. PG-13. Movies
12.
MOVIE
THEATERS
Use the links provided below for specific show times.
Bijou
Art Cinemas
Bijou Theater 686-2458
| 492 E. 13th
Regal
Cinemas
Cinema World 342-6536
| Valley River Center
Springfield Quad 726-9073
|
Cinemark
Theaters
Movies 12 741-1231
| Gateway Mall
Movies before 12:30 are Sat. Sun. only. $1.50 all shows all days.
Cinemark 17 741-1231 |
Gateway Mall
New
Releases on Video
Releases subject to change. Available the
Tuesday following date of EW publication, sometimes
sooner. See
archived movie reviews.
Austin Powers in Goldmember:
Third time is charmed as Mike Myers comes back in multiple roles as
Austin Powers. With Michael Caine and Beyoncé Knowles. Directed
by Jay Roach. Mini-Me takes the cake! PG-13. Online archives.
History of Britain: The complete collection
of the 15-hour History Channel/BBC documentary now available on five
discs or eight VHS tapes. Brilliant historical overview by Simon Schama,
the Columbia University historian, art critic and professor who's
the show's writer, host and narrator. The New York Times noted
that the documentary "used places, paintings, animals and objects"
to illustrate the series. Schama "puts the exploits of kings and queens
in contemporary terms of espionage, terrorism and public relations."
Highest recommendations.
Lilo and Stitch: Animated Disney comedy about
Lilo, a lonely Hawaiian girl, and her small, ugly dog named Stitch.
The dog is an alien experiment that's crashed to earth. Six by Elvis
on the soundtrack. PG.
Happy Times: This bittersweet comedy directed
by Zhang Yimou (The Road Home) is about an aging bachelor who
becomes entangled in a number of hare-brained schemes while trying
to please a woman. PG. Bijou.
Romance and Rejection (200): British offbeat-relationship
comedy stars John Hannah and Clara Bellar. Set in contemporary London,
this little gem played here on PBS.
Season on the Brink, A: Television sports movie
about coach Bobby Knight of Indiana stars Brian Denehey.
Upstairs, Downstairs: The complete 20-disc
series. Megabucks.
Next week: Cherish, The Emperor's New Clothes,
Innocence, K-19, Like Mike, My Wife Is An Actress, Stuart Little 2
and Twenty-four Hour Party People.
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