Spirited Away (2005)

Written and Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki

Sprited Away is a 2-hour animated Japanese feature film. This is a touching story about Chihiro, a 10-year old Japanese girl that is taken to a fantasy land and faces challenges of spirits, magical beings and the ruler and sorceress Yubaba. Step by step the shy and scared Chihiro learns how to deal with impossible problems and grows in maturity.

The power of Spirited Away lies in the strong story anatomy and our total dentification with the weak little Chihiro in her struggles. There is also a sense of childish freedom in the variety of figures and characters. Due to many horrid scenes this film should probably not be seen by small children, and it is good that it is rated at 12 years. I you want to see something completely different, watch Spirited Away.

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