Princess Mononoke Blu-ray Review

Disney has delivered an exceptional Blu-ray release of "Princess Mononoke," maintaining the fidelity of Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli's original animation while avoiding artificial enhancements. The 1080p/AVC-encoded video presentation preserves the natural colors, contrast, and grain, offering a viewing experience that videophiles and purists will appreciate. The vibrant primary colors and deep blacks are striking, with excellent detail throughout, despite some inherently soft shots in the original source. Importantly, there is an absence of macroblocking, banding, aliasing, ringing, and errant noise, underscoring Disney's meticulous remastering efforts.

This Blu-ray transfer ensures even the finest details of Miyazaki's artwork are showcased beautifully. Every frame appears natural and free from any source imperfections like dust or debris. The animation remains solid and vibrant, with color playing a crucial role in every scene. The vividness of both primary and secondary colors is retained, offering a true-to-source visual experience. Noteworthy scenes, such as the demon with independently wiggling tentacles at the film's beginning, are presented in stunning high definition without any visual issues like blocking or banding. For fans and videophiles, this release represents an authentic high-definition transfer that respects the original artistry of this beloved classic.

The audio presentation of "Princess Mononoke" on Blu-ray delivers an exceptional auditory experience that both purists and new viewers will appreciate. There are DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 tracks for both the original Japanese and the English dub, as well as a French Dolby Digital 5.1 option. Dialogue is consistently clear and well-prioritized, ensuring intelligibility whether you choose the English or Japanese track. However, it is worth noting that while the voice talents of Claire Danes, Billy Crudup, Minnie Driver, Billy Bob Thornton, and Gillian Anderson bring star power to the English version, some performances, particularly Thorton's, fall flat compared to their Japanese counterparts.

The LFE output is particularly impressive, delivering forceful lows during thunderous boar-charges, demon attacks, and explosions. This immersive sound design extends to scenes of tranquil serenity, underlining the movie's dynamic range. Rear speaker activity is carefully executed, crafting enveloping environments from bustling ironworks to vibrant forests with precise directionality and transparent pans. The resulting soundfield adds a layer of depth that pulls the audience into the film's rich setting. Despite some criticisms about dubtitles not aligning with the original 2000 DVD subtitles, the lossless audio tracks do justice to every battle and quiet moment, making "Princess Mononoke" sound better than ever before.

In conclusion, the auditory elements of this Blu-ray release are superbly crafted. The DTS-HD MA 5.1 mixes breathe life into each scene, enhancing the film’s emotional and dramatic impact. Silence and chaos are equally well represented, and even though there are minor issues with the English voice acting, the overall audio quality remains stellar. This Blu-ray audio presentation is an essential upgrade for anyone looking to experience "Princess Mononoke" in its most immersive form yet.

The Blu Ray edition of "Princess Mononoke" presents an impressive array of special features that offer both insightful content and unique viewing experiences. The Original Japanese Storyboards, presented in HD, allows viewers to delve deeply into the film-making process by watching the entire movie in its storyboard form, complete with Japanese Dolby Digital 2.0 audio and optional English, English SDH, and French subtitles. The Princess Mononoke in the USA documentary offers a fascinating glimpse into Hayao Miyazaki and producer Toshio Suzuki’s participation in U.S. film festivals, answering questions from fans and critics alike. A brief Featurette spotlights the English voice cast, featuring interviews with prominent actors and collaborators such as Neil Gaiman and Jack Fletcher. Finally, a comprehensive collection of Trailers & TV Spots in HD provides both Japanese and English promos, showcasing the film’s international promotional efforts.

Extras included in this disc:

• Original Japanese Storyboards: Watch the movie in its entirety using original Japanese storyboards with Dolby Digital 2.0 audio and optional subtitles.
• Princess Mononoke in the USA: Miyazaki and producer Suzuki at U.S. film festivals.
• Featurette: English voice cast promo featuring Neil Gaiman, Jack Fletcher, and actors.
• Trailers & TV Spots: Collection of original Japanese and English trailers and TV spots.

Hayao Miyazaki's "Princess Mononoke" stands as a profoundly intricate and artistically masterful epic. Set against a backdrop of environmental crises and industrial encroachment, the narrative skillfully navigates a landscape devoid of clear-cut heroes or villains. Instead, it weaves a web of conflicting interests and inextricable moral dilemmas. The protagonist, Ashitaka, afflicted by a deadly curse, embarks on a journey to the western forests in search of a cure. His path crosses with Irontown’s Lady Eboshi, animal gods such as Moro and Okkoto-nushi, and the fierce Princess Mononoke, each character representing nuanced perspectives in their clash between human ambition and the natural world.

Ghibli’s hand-drawn animation, accompanied by Joe Hisaishi’s evocative score, enhances the film’s immersive experience. The story unfolds like a complex political thriller enriched with mythological lore and rich characterization. Miyazaki’s deliberate pacing allows for an exploration of each layer of conflict, addressing humanity’s ravenous consumption and its detrimental impact on nature. Scenes of supernatural entities, colossal battles, and serene landscapes flow seamlessly together, embracing a world where the boundaries between the mystical and the mundane blur. Memorable encounters abound, from worm-infested demons to the awe-inspiring Nightwalker, all intricately animated to evoke both wonder and dread.

Miyazaki’s "Princess Mononoke" remains a timeless examination of humanity’s interaction with nature. Its mature themes set it apart from contemporaneous animated films, carving out a niche that challenges traditional animation's expectation. As Ashitaka navigates diverse ideologies and customs, the film poses essential questions about progress and preservation, making it an enduring classic not just in animation but in cinematic storytelling. Despite criticisms of environmental preaching, the film's narrative is far more expansive, urging viewers to contemplate a balance between technological advancement and natural harmony.

Studio Ghibli's 'Princess Mononoke,' directed by Hayao Miyazaki, remains a hallmark of cinematic excellence, lauded for its intricate animation, layered storytelling, and complex character development. The Blu-ray release by Disney, however, brings mixed feelings. The video presentation is a masterclass in preservation, delivering a faithful and vibrant visual experience. The two DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround tracks are executed flawlessly, offering an auditory immersion that complements the film's rich visual tapestry. However, it's crucial to mention the issue with the subtitles—the use of "dubtitles" instead of properly translated English subtitles detracts from the overall enjoyment for purists.

The Blu-ray package includes a selection of extras that, while solid, could benefit from an HD production documentary or retrospective. Such additional content would provide more depth and value for collectors and aficionados alike. Despite this minor shortfall, the Blu-ray still stands as a worthy addition to any collection, encapsulating the film’s artistic brilliance effortlessly. It’s frustrating that Disney has not addressed the subtitle issue in this otherwise exemplary release. This oversight is significant enough to reconsider endorsement for this specific version.

Princess Mononoke will always be remembered as one of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli's finest films, and Disney's Blu-ray release doesn't treat the film as anything less. With a perfectly faithful video presentation, two strong DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround tracks, and a solid selection of extras, there isn't much disappointment to be had. An HD production documentary/retrospective would have been a godsend, but I'd much rather have a meticulously preserved and presented film than a pile of spiffy new special features. Add this one to your collection post-haste.