...a refreshing take on the tired man versus nature genre, and it also sheds light on ancient Japanese folklore, religion, and history.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 31, 2023

When you watch this film, you need to think: "Where are the Japanese wolves?" If you don't, you'll miss the full impact of Hayao Miyazaki's environmental theme. Japan isn't the land of Bambi or the Big Bad Wolf.

Full Review | Original Score: 5/5 | Sep 25, 2023

Princess Mononoke explores the gaping chasm between nature’s gentle acceptance of circumstance and humanity’s steadfast refusal to quietly accept death.

Full Review | Aug 1, 2023

With his characteristic vitalism, Miyazaki's Princess Mononoke shows us that even after destruction by reaped a headless god in a seemingly interminable night, the day always breaks and... trees will flower once again. [Full review in Spanish]

Full Review | Original Score: 5/5 | Jul 25, 2022

Beautifully animated, with a gorgeous, mature score... this is a perfect adult alternative to standard Disney fare.

Full Review | May 27, 2022

The story could not be told through another medium, nor could another director wield its vast scope.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/4 | Mar 20, 2022

It's a powerful allegory that stands on it's own as a beautiful piece of art that is wildly entertaining.

Full Review | Original Score: 99/100 | Aug 22, 2021

Hayao Miyazaki's dark world of magic, in which humans and forest gods vie for supremacy, stands alongside the real one, commenting upon its shortcomings.

Full Review | Original Score: 4.5/5 | May 17, 2021

'Princess Mononoke' gives empowered voices to women (in a time where they didn't have any) & doesn't make them victims in need of a savior. It also forces audiences to look inward and question the way we consume things from the world around us.

Full Review | Jul 17, 2020

In a style similar to "Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind" but much richer in context, Hayao Miyazaki manages to present a number of different comments, mostly having to do with the dark side of human nature

Full Review | Apr 13, 2020

[Miyazaki understands] the myriad complications of being a person in this world, a world with too many layers for a word like 'evil' to suffice, and Princess Mononoke reflects that.

Full Review | Jan 18, 2020

This is a visual treat featuring some truly unique creatures -- just check out those oddities that look like an unholy cross between Casper the Friendly Ghost and that chattering demon from the Hellraiser flicks.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4 | May 20, 2019

There are some movies that are so special that it's almost like watching it for the first time every single time. Princess Mononoke is one of those films.

Full Review | Aug 20, 2018

A spellbinding epic with great characters, visuals and pathos.

Full Review | Original Score: 9/10 | Feb 16, 2017

Done mostly in the style of hand-painted classic animation, with occasional digital assists, "Princess Mononoke is indeed a thing of beauty and imagination.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Dec 7, 2014

It's one of Ghibli and Miyazaki's many animated masterpieces.

Full Review | Nov 17, 2014

Princess Mononoke's greatest feat is in crafting a story that could've been so easily simple, but manages to be more morally complex than even the most epic live-action films.

Full Review | Original Score: A | Feb 20, 2014

This handsome, beautifully designed Japanese animated film has the size -- though not the clarity -- of a great Japanese film epic.

Full Review | Nov 27, 2013

Miyazaki's hordes of animators haven't penetrated beyond the skin; the moving creatures feel inarticulate and jerky, almost weightless, particularly when played against painterly background mattes.

Full Review | Nov 27, 2013

With a Luminist's attention to light, water, shadow and smoke, Miyazaki creates an epochal story born of history, myth and Shinto animism.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/4 | Nov 27, 2013