Princess Mononoke is considered by many people essential cinema, alongside My neighbour totoro and Spirited away Princess Mononoke is considered Studio Ghibli and Miyazaki greatest Masterpiece.

Originally released in 1997 and directed by Hayao Miyazaki with Toshio Suzuki as producer and a musical score by the legendary Joe Hisaishi Princess Mononoke finally, see a release in spectacular 4K with a painstaking remaster with help from Studio Ghibli’s own Atsushi Okui to make sure the restoration matches Studio Ghibli own high standards. The UK release comes thanks to both Elysian Film Group and Goodfellas its great to see they have gone out the way to get Princess Mononoke 4K into UK cinema as in the past restoration release would stay as a japan exclusive and maybe see a home media release if you was lucky.

Plot

Inflicted with a deadly curse, the young warrior Ashitaka heads west in search of a cure. There, he stumbles into a bitter conflict between Lady Eboshi, the proud people of Iron Town, and the enigmatic Princess Mononoke, a young girl raised by wolves, who will stop at nothing to prevent the humans from destroying her home and the forest spirits and animal gods who live there.

Humans and nature clash when San, a girl raised by wolves, must defend the forest against the encroaching people of Iron Town.

Review

What can really be said about Princess Mononoke that’s not already been said, Princess Mononoke is a interesting story yes it’s a very environment friendly movie but really dose take time to show that sometimes things are not as black and white as they seem.

As somone who grew up with shows like captian plaent even though the creators of that show had the best intentions truning the enviroment into a black and white good vs evil story isnt the best way to start a conversation this is where I feel like a movie like Princess Mononoke shine throw, even though the movie was first released in 1997 the movie feels as relevance now as it did in 1997. I love Lady Eboshi and the Iron town cast they could of easy turn Lady Eboshi into a generic villain who doesn’t understand the forest but as somone who is trying to take Iron town further she shown to care for people who other have thrown away or other wont give a chance giving her character some depth. Over all the Iron town crew are lovely aside a few bad apples who lead people astray for their own selfish needs.

I also enjoyed revisting San arc of her slowly come to teams comming to terms with her identity as a human, she was rased as a wolf she rejects humans and see them all as evil but getting to know Ashitaka throughout the movie San character arc is learning that not all human are evil and is able to accept her identity as a human but still live as a wolf and able to reach a compromise where she can keep both identity.

I think the main message of Princess Mononoke is that as humans were not always going to agree with each other and see eye to eye, somtimes we need to learn that talking is more powerful a bit of understanding can go a long way and that violence, truning to anger and holding a grudge throughout life will only lead to things to get worst if we are to save this world we must all work toghter in understanding.

The animation and character design is still top-notch even after all these years I still believe Princess Mononoke is one of Studio Ghibli’s best looking movies look Princess Mononoke better than some of Ghibli later movies I love the small details on the characters I always loved the deatail on Okkoto and the rest of the boars. I also enjoy the period correct outfits with some really cool character design even background characters have really interesting looks adding some much depth to the world of Princess Mononoke.

For 4K remaster is gorgeous and you can really see how Studio Ghibli when out there way to make sure its was the there high level of quality, I must say this is like one of the most unintentional asmr movies out there some of the cast have the most lovley voices giving pure joy in the quieter parts of the movie with the louder exciting war battle scenes having some epic music from Ghibli Legend himself Joe Hisaishi.

Princess Mononoke is a must see not just for anime fans but for any fans of cinema you can catch Princess Mononoke 4K in UK cinemas right now thanks to both Elysian Film Group and Goodfellas you can find your nearest showing and book tickets right here