A young girl ventures out with her parents to a mysterious park, where a series of magical transformations sends her into a realm beyond reality. With her parents imperiled, how can Chihiro rescue them and stay safe among the restless spirits?
A DVD summary opener of course, the story is heartfelt and touching, invoking child-like innocence and purity against greed and misunderstanding. The actions and resolutions feel like a warm blanket wrapped around the viewer, comforting and encouraging.
The art is gorgeous. Even the static backgrounds pop with life and detail, while the animation truly stands out as real and fluid with the setting.
The music and voices are one for the records, with a score that pulls and pushes your heart-strings and acting that invokes clear and well-defined characters.
This film sits proudly among many classics on my shelf, to be shown to anyone at the prompting of "what's a good movie to watch?" With no regard to the fact that's Japanese Animation.
