Spirited Away

This feature tells the story of Chihiro, a young girl who is in the middle of a big move to a new home.  In the midst of this move, she is incredibly temperamental; between changing schools and having to find new friends, along with her whiny and sour disposition, she does everything in her power to be difficult.  While driving to their new house, her family stumbles upon a old festival grounds where, after gorging at a vacant food stand, they turn into pigs.  What ensues is a tale of Chihiro becoming stranded in the realm of spirits and her quest to find a way back home and to save her parents from their fate.

To say this movie is brilliant is easy, to explain why is not so simple.  First off, the imagery is some of the most splendid to ever appear on screen.  You are immersed in a world of wonder where you feel that there are still rules and limitations; but since it's a spirit realm things are very strange and provide a visceral feel that satisfies your sense of adventure.  The characters our young protagonist meets along the way are a wide range of spirits of many shapes and sizes, offering a vast array of personalities to enrich the story and add to this already visually striking world of mystical wonder.  The viewer is brought along for the ride with Chihiro, learning how this strange world works along with her.  This results in a story and world that seems just as foreign to the protagonist as it does to the viewer.  While this is arguably a kid's flick, there is sufficient value for both children and adults, making this a true family film.  As a consequence, the film may lose some with the lack of action and the "grown up" feeling that some might be looking for.  In all, this is a well-imagined world with wonder, adventure, and all the character you need to carry you through to the end while keeping things exciting and fresh.

Good:

-Rich, beautifully imagined world

-Interesting characters that draw you into the narrative

-Good movie for the whole family

Bad:

-Uhhhhh.... I'll get back to you on that one.

Scully Rating: 10 out of 10