The first time I've seen Mononoke-hime (Princess Mononoke) I was really taken by how a cartoon movie can contain such a range of artistic craft and imagination while at the same time convey a message about how humans deal with nature as well as their instant greed vs. how much of good can just one human being do.
Then I just couldn't help it, but go and see his other much respected films such Tenku no shiro Rapyuta (Castle in the Sky) and Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi (Spirited Away).
All of these wonderful movies, despite being done in a cartoon-fairytale style do not follow the pattern of this style at all. They contain much more than just that. They will bring you to places you have always wanted to be taken to as a child - fantasy lands full of creatures so far from human nature, not only in their looks but also their character, which sometimes you just have to leave in your mind as uncomprehensible; lands that only a child's mind would consider "normal".
Yet, Miyazaki is going farther than that. In each of his movies, he teaches a lesson. Lesson adults know deep in their minds and souls is correct, but have long forgotten about. Lesson which combines it all together. Respect to the "other kind" whatever that may represent, the right thing to do, the inner gut we as adults have so forgotten and exchanged for other things such as worries about wealth, profession, "respect" (i.e. in society), etc.
Maybe that is why Miyazaki's heroes are always children.
His films teach us an important lesson about "our" (adult's) world and the long-forgotten values we used to have when we were so much younger. Perhaps we should pay a lot more attention to the messages he wishes to convey in his films than we really do at present..
No wonder his Gake no ue no Ponyo (Ponyo on Cliff by the Sea) was considered by some as the hot favourite for the Golden Lion at this year's Venice Film Festival. I have not seen this movie yet, but for sure, Miyazaki's take on the "Little Mermaid" story has - again - got a lot to throw in our adult faces to wake up for in those 100 minutes.
Can't wait to see it. You should too. You won't regret it.
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After seeing Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, yet another feature of Miyazaki's pictures revealed to me and that is the "range" of environment each of his films have. From the depths of earth to flying between the clouds, the world belongs to his characters, who often fly on self-created machines or travel to far-away lands and back.
This is a great way to show a great contrast in environments as well as create a sense of independence each of his leading characters seem to have.
For me, Miyazaki's fantasy is one of the greatest of the contemporary animators.
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