Be still, your racing hearts! Hayao Miyazaki’s magnum opus, *Spirited Away*, is sashaying back into theaters on December 26th, as if to remind us that while we’ve been glued to screens coughing up nostalgia, the true animated deity is ready to take center stage once more. This theatrical re-release is like finding an old vinyl in a thrift store—unexpectedly delightful and, let’s be honest, better than most new releases.
For those in the dark, *Spirited Away* chronicles the misadventures of 10-year-old Chihiro, who stumbles into a magical realm where spirits and demons frolic like it’s a Tuesday soiré at a trendsetter’s loft. It’s a visually stunning journey, filled with imagination that makes *Inception* look like a children’s drawing. The poster alone screams “I’m both whimsical and haunting!”—a delightful contradiction akin to sipping a fine Merlot while scarfing down Twizzlers.
The accolades? Endless. An Academy Award for Best Animated Feature—because evidently, the Oscars have their moments of clarity—and a plethora of five-star ratings proclaiming it one of the best films of all time. Dazed even opines it’s “one of the best films of all time.” Bravo, Dazed, for stating the glaringly obvious. But let’s not forget that this isn’t just a film; it’s a cultural artifact, a touchstone in animation history that makes everything else look like doodles on a napkin.
Miyazaki masterfully blends stunning artistry with profound themes of identity, environmentalism, and the loss of childhood innocence. You want your film to resonate? Just take a page from Miyazaki’s book of enchantment and existential crises. Forget Pixar’s latest clever quips and flashy CGI; nothing can touch the raw emotional heft of Chihiro negotiating her way through a world populated by ghostly bathhouse workers and gluttonous spirits—an experience that somehow feels both distinctly Japanese and universally human.
As you pop that corn and settle into your seat, think about this: do we really need to shove another reboot or sequel down our throats when we can revisit a film that’s already carved its place into the annals of cinematic glory? The debate continues to rage amongst cinephiles. Should we live in the past, or is there merit in the newly minted cheese rolling off the conveyor belt? As you ponder your next move, indulge in more of the latest Movie News over at reelsnark.com/news. What will it be—nostalgic reconnection or trepidatious forward motion?
image source: Reddit
