A triple Miyazaki DVD treat

By: Patrick Sauriol
Date: Tuesday, April 15, 2003

Hayao Miyazaki is among Japan's most acclaimed and successful filmmakers. His animated features, like PRINCESS MONONOKE, have set new box office records in his home country. And it seems at long last his fantastic adevtures are finally starting to work their magic with western audiences. Miyazaki's latest film, SPIRITED AWAY, just won the second Oscar ever presented for Best Animated Feature, spurring Disney to re-release the film back in theaters -- even though the picture's release on DVD was just three weeks away.

And Walt Disney is making this a special day for Miyazaki lovers; not only is SPIRITED AWAY available on a special 2-disc set, but so are two of the filmmaker's earlier films, CASTLE IN THE SKY and KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE. And there's plenty of goodness to be found on each of the packages.

Each movie is presented in widescreen format and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, and each film has an introduction from TOY STORY helmer John Lasseter. Storyboards are included as well as interviews with each film's talent plus the original Japanese trailers for the movies. The SPIRITED AWAY disc also includes a Nippon Television special about the making of the movie and there's a section focusing on the artwork and design.

Disney is selling the movies as either a three-pack ($89.99) or individually ($29.99). And if you want to find out why Cinescape reviewer Brian Thomas gave the SPIRITED AWAY disc an A+ grade, you'll just have to read his full review.



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