The Tale Of The Princess Kaguya

 THE TALE OF THE PRINCESS KAGUYA

Director : Isao Takahata

Year : 2015

Genre : Anime

Rating : *****

MY REVIEW FOR 'THE WIND RISES' :  http://dc-moviereviews.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/the-wind-rises.html#more

With the departure of Hayao Miyazaki, it appears that the Japanese animation company Studio Ghibli may be reaching it's final days. Upon the retirement of Miyazaki, the company announced that it was temporarily halting production of any new pictures and that they may never actually make another film again. As a huge fan of many of their amazing animations, I am deeply saddened by this news. But if they are to stop, then I am glad that they have finished on one their absolute best masterpieces, the beautifully haunting 'The Tale Of The Princess Kaguya'.

Based on the folktale 'The Tale Of The Bamboo Cutter', 'The Tale Of The Princess Kaguya' tells the story of an old bamboo farmer who discovers a miniature girl inside a glowing shoot. Raising the child with his elderly wife, the farmer endeavours to turn his rapidly growing adopted daughter into a princess and, upon finding a huge amount of gold in the same way he found his child, buys her a mansion and luscious clothing in an attempt to attract young and wealthy Japanese aristocracy. However, as the girl becomes more and more infamous throughout the land, her genesis on Earth quickly begins to take on a more sinister edge and it becomes clear to both the girl and her parents that her existence is intrinsically linked with her supernatural birth.

Directed by Studio Ghibli co-founder Isao Takahata (creator of the astonishing World War II drama 'Grave Of The Fireflies'), 'The Tale Of The Princess Kaguya' is told with gorgeous watercolour hues and impressionistic charcoal strokes - something of a departure from the typically anime artistic style of the other Studio Ghibli works and the result is one of the most impressive and beautiful animations I have ever seen. It goes without saying that every Ghibli movie looks terrific but I can't think of another that looks as sumptious and as extraordinary as 'The Tale Of The Princess Kaguya' 

It's unique style perfectly matches the narratives magic and maturity - a maturity that is sadly lacking from many of todays Western kids movies and while it runs for over two hours, both children and adults are sure to be swept away in its extraordinary majesty and beauty. Not only is the film beautifully drawn and told but the story is also provocative, the exquisite soundtrack written by regular Miyazaki collaborator Joe Hisaishi echoes the vivid colours and shapes depicted on screen and the many characters are incredibly interesting and more developed than most million dollar budget blockbusters. 'Big Hero 6' deservedly won the Oscar for Best Animated Film but I am overjoyed that the picture got the recognition and respect from the Academy it truly deserved because in one word, 'The Tale Of The Princess Kaguya' is simply perfect and a (potentially) fitting end to the life of one of the most important production studios ever to have existed.