Spirited Away Blu-ray Review

Disney's Blu-ray release of the beloved "Spirited Away" stands as a testament to the enduring magic and meticulous craftsmanship of Miyazaki's work. This 1080p/AVC-encoded remaster captivates with its vivid, faithfully reproduced palette, ensuring that every frame resonates with the original's enchanting aesthetic. The presentation, framed at a 1.85:1 aspect ratio and encoded in MPEG-4 AVC, delivers images with impeccable contrast and saturation. The vibrant primaries and deep blacks enhance the visual storytelling, rendering the fantastical world with a clarity that’s both immersive and breathtaking. Detail is rendered with meticulous care, from the crisp animator's line art to the diverse textures, providing a window into the painstakingly hand-painted and computer-generated artistry that defines Miyazaki's style. A touch of grain preserves the film's cinematic quality, while instances of digital anomalies like noise, macroblocking, banding, or crush are virtually nonexistent, aside from a negligible hint of aliasing that remains true to the source material.

The commitment to visual excellence is evident in every scene; from the softly glowing ferry boats to the expressive movement of characters both human and fantastical, 'Spirited Away' is a moving painting, brimming with lively reds and bold colors that bring its world to life. The clarity with which this Blu-ray delivers each frame enriches the viewer's experience, allowing for an appreciation of details as minute as the zipper on a character's clothing. The rendering of black levels is precise, adding depth and intensity without overshadowing the meticulous detail that defines Miyazaki’s vision.

In essence, Disney's Blu-ray presentation of 'Spirited Away' is a visual tour-de-force, encapsulating the wonder and texture of Miyazaki's universe with unparalleled clarity. Fans and newcomers alike will find themselves captivated by the richness of its visual storytelling, where each moment on screen is an invitation to revel in a masterfully crafted animated world. It validates 'Spirited Away' not just as a seminal work of animation but as a celebratory showcase of high definition's capability to enhance and preserve cinematic beauty.

The North American Blu-ray edition of "Spirited Away" offers an auditory experience that impressive, featuring two lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 tracks: the original Japanese mix and Disney's English dub, both delivering an exceptional audio performance. Dialogue across both tracks is crystal clear, ensuring every word is easily understood. Joe Hisaishi's enchanting score is given new life with these mixes, encapsulating the listener with its depth and clarity. The LFE channel adds a robust depth to the soundscape, making moments like the stink spirit's bath, No Face's rampage, and Haku's fight scenes feel incredibly dynamic and powerful. The surround sound design excellently utilizes rear speakers, creating an immersive sound environment with precise directional effects and cross-channel pans, enhancing the overall viewing experience by bringing out subtle sound details and nuances.

Comparing the two audio options presents a unique dilemma for viewers, balancing between a culturally and tonally accurate Japanese version and an English dub that, while supervised by John Lasseter and well-produced, introduces a different emotional resonance, potentially feeling a tad melodramatic due to vocal intonations. The English version allows viewers to fully immerse themselves visually without reading subtitles, yet it slightly alters the original tone of the masterpiece. Despite this, both audio tracks are of high quality, evenly matched in their delivery of dialogue, environmental sounds, and musical scores that extend and fill the soundstage with superb sonic depth and immersion.

While "Spirited Away" may not compete with more complex audio systems like 7.1 or Atmos with its 5.1 setup, the attention to detail in both offered tracks is notable. Audiophiles and fans alike will appreciate the balance of heft, might, and nuance in these lossless mixes. The choice between Japanese and English ultimately falls to personal preference, but irrespective of choice, the audio presentation enriches the animated film's magical journey with its outstanding dynamics and immersive soundfield.

The Blu-ray extras for "Spirited Away" offer an in-depth peek behind the curtain of this beloved Miyazaki masterpiece, presenting a mix of content appealing to both newcomers and seasoned fans. While the absence of new bonus material may dishearten some, the inclusion of features in high definition for the first time represents a significant upgrade. Noteworthy is the complete set of original Japanese storyboards presented in HD, which allows audiences to experience the film in its elemental form. Additionally, the ‘Nippon Television Special’ offers a comprehensive look at the making of the film with exclusive insider views from Studio Ghibli. The preservation of all bonus materials from the original DVD release, including introductions, behind-the-scenes explorations, and interviews with the English dub cast, reinforces this package's value, even though some SD features appear slightly dated on larger screens.

Extras included in this disc:

• Original Japanese Storyboards: Watch the full movie through its 1.85:1 Japanese storyboards, in Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1 with English and French subtitles.
• The Art of Spirited Away: A behind-the-scenes exploration hosted by Jason Marsden, focusing on North American distribution, character design, and animation.
• Behind the Microphone: Discussions with the English dub cast on their recording experiences.
• Nippon Television Special: A deep dive into Studio Ghibli's production process, including interviews and candid footage.
• Introduction by John Lasseter: A brief introduction to the film.
• Original Japanese Trailers: A collection of trailers in HD.
• Original Japanese TV Spots: A series of TV promotional spots.

Hayao Miyazaki's "Spirited Away" emerges on Blu-ray, showcasing the indelible magic of Studio Ghibli in high definition, capturing audiences both young and old with its enchanting narrative and stunning visuals. The tale of ten-year-old Chihiro, lost in a seemingly abandoned amusement park, evolves into a profound journey of self-discovery and bravery against the backdrop of a mystical realm. This Blu-ray edition brings to life Miyazaki's mastery in animation and storytelling, offering viewers a timeless adventure that resonates with themes of courage, transformation, and resilience. With its intricate blend of traditional and digital animation techniques, "Spirited Away" not only represents Ghibli at its finest but also stands as a landmark in animated cinema, celebrated through its Oscar win for Best Animated Feature and the prestigious Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival.

The film's narrative is built around Chihiro's encounter with a witch named Yubaba, who runs a bathhouse for the supernatural. The complexity of Chihiro's journey, from being stripped of her identity to navigating the intricacies of the spirit world, is portrayed with a sincerity that captures the essence of childhood fears and triumphs. Characters such as Haku, Lin, and No Face add depth to Chihiro's experience, each presenting their own unique challenges and lessons. This Blu-ray release preserves the film’s technical brilliance, from its vivid landscapes to its captivating character designs, ensuring that Miyazaki's vision is experienced as intended.

Miyazaki's adeptness at weaving significant environmental themes with rich cultural allusions makes "Spirited Away" more than just an animated feature; it is a poignant narrative that explores human emotion and the complexities of life through the eyes of a young girl. The Blu-ray presentation underscores this blend, offering audiences a visually rich and emotionally engaging experience. Critics and fans alike have lauded "Spirited Away" for its storytelling prowess and visual splendor, solidifying its place as an unparalleled masterpiece in the realm of animation. The movie, through its Blu-ray release, continues to captivate new generations, affirming Miyazaki’s legacy as one of animation’s most visionary filmmakers.

Hayao Miyazaki's "Spirited Away" stands not merely as an animated film but as a cinematic masterpiece, weaving together an intricate tapestry of visual, narrative, and musical elements that deliver a spellbinding experience. The movie’s skillful blend of story, character development, and world-building immerses the viewer in a fantastical journey that bridges the gap between reality and the ethereal, showcasing Miyazaki's unparalleled mastery in storytelling. The Blu-ray edition of "Spirited Away" elevates this experience to unprecedented heights, showcasing a stunning video presentation that breathes new life into the enchanting world Miyazaki has crafted. Complemented by two lossless audio tracks in both Japanese and English, this release surpasses its DVD predecessor, offering an auditory experience as compelling as the visual.

The Blu-ray release is not just about the film’s magnificent transfer but also about enriching the viewing experience with a carefully curated selection of special features. While many of these features have been carried over from the original DVD release, their upgrade to HD fleshes out the viewer's understanding and appreciation of the film. This thoughtful compilation provides insight into Miyazaki's visionary process, further solidifying "Spirited Away" as a seminal work in the annals of animation.

In conclusion, "Spirited Away" on Blu-ray is an indispensable addition to any film aficionado's collection. Its technical excellence in video and audio presentation significantly enhances the movie's immersive storytelling, while the special features offer a deeper dive into its creation. This Blu-ray release not only preserves the beauty and wonder of Miyazaki's masterpiece but also confirms its enduring legacy as one of the most captivating films ever made.