Anybody give this a listen yet? How is it? I am hoping it is as beautiful as his score for "Princess Mononoke."

Also, what's the running time? Intrada lists it as 60mins and Screen Archives lists it at 37+.

Thanks,

Mononoke was so amazing I can't see this score anything but a good follow up.

SPIRITED AWAY is my favorite movie this year (I usually see about 90 each year, theatrically). It's one of those rare treats which is so well done, that my awareness of how much I was enjoying it didn't break the spell I was under. It is an unqualified "Great Film". Imagine the kind of tale you would get from a clever child playing out a single story using all of her toys. Add to this a certain logic - not forefronted and available for analysis, but so reassuringly there that the film is capable of suspense and wonder, not being just a free-for-all.

Many movies try to charm, but few succeed because they're generic, or they insult the intelligence. SPIRITED does neither, and so succeeds at this - I was as charmed as must be possible for me.

Is it for kids? Sure, smart ones, or creative or resiliant ones. It's for anyone.

Is it "anime"? Gotta say no. It doesn't look like a fast slide show featuring iconic characters with lines rushing behind them to indicate movement... my acerbic way of saying that you don't have to be part of a subculture and accept unusual quirks. This is a film that happens to be from Japan, and happens to be animated. If you don't like anime, don't let that keep you away. If you do, let it be a reason to go, but in any case, see it!

David