Miyazaki films are so incredibly unique.
They often focus on protagonists that don’t win through action, but rather through kindness and hard work. And many of the protagonists don’t really have much inner conflict either.
The fact that this combo is going on, and yet the films are so timeless and successful, is actually kind of crazy. They should be boring, and yet they are not.
There is a deep warmth to most of the films, even as they explore some of the saddest themes.
💯🎯...although didn't enjoy the latest one, The Boy and the Heron
What made you enjoy it less than other Miyazaki films?
I felt like the animation was classic Miyazaki but the plot line was disjointed... Couldn't understand the overarching themes in contrast to some of his older ones
Loved the characters in Miyazaki’s Howl’s, but I read the books first, so couldn’t understand what they did with the storyline in the movie. The books need a true adaptation some day.
Spirited away and Howls MC were very influential to my young adult self. I probably need to watch a few more...
suggestions?
Princess Mononoke was one of the best, imo. Despite the name it’s also one of the more action-oriented ones.
Just rewatched Princess Mononoke for the first time since the 90s with my kids last week.
Just watch all the ghibli movies. They're all great in their own way.
The Wim Wenders film, Perfect Days, is a live action film much like this. About the everyday life of a Japanese cleaner. And the first film directed by a non-Japanese filmmaker to be nominated as the Japanese entry at the Academy Awards. Just wonderful.
Just saw your Michael Clayton post, so this might be a little too really real for your tastes. But it is wonderful.
Very true. They are unique because the best of them really are pure Shinto. First thing that comes to my mind every time I walk into Shimagamo in Kyoto is Miyazaki .
Shinkai Makoto's works also good.
Something like "5 Centimeters per Second" or "Your Name"
One of the joys of my life is that my daughter has grown up on Miyazaki films. “Spirited Away” - which I thought would be way above her maturity level - was her favorite of them all as a child. She always referred to ‘No-Face’ as ‘Miyazaki’, which was interesting…
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