Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi (Spirited Away)
2001
****½
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Cast: Rumi Hiiragi, Miyu Irino, Mari Natsuki, Takashi Naito, Yasuko Sawaguchi, Tsunehiko Kamijō, Takehiko Ono, Bunta Sugawara
On the way to their new home, 10-year-old Chihiro and her parents get lost and end up at a mysterious gate. It leads them to a magical world of spirits where the parents fall under a spell and Chihiro faces a test of wits and courage. Hayao Miyazaki's best known animation is a visual feast and a treasure trove of imagination. The elaborate world and its shapeshifting characters are designed and drawn to the tiniest detail, and the film is exhilarating and a bit overwhelming. Academy Award winner for best animation.
