When I wasn’t being inspired by kidnapping people for ransom, I was most definitely inspired by the men’s fashion of the 1960s. Wow did everyone look great! Kurosawa directed this almost as if it were a play and it really worked for me—the carefully choreographed positioning of the characters as the scenes developed was an incredible showcase.
I wish there were a way to be filthy rich without the exploitation of others because goddamn does this movie make it look so exciting. Fun fact: this is the first time I’ve watched a sequel without ever having seen the original. Sigh, the things one does for friends…but do keep in mind that I would abandon every single one of you for Emily Blunt. Or Anne Hathaway. Or Meryl Streep. Or Lucy Liu. Or Simone Ashley.
Chihiro’s pure heart and general adorableness? Kamaji’s fuzzy little coal-carrying assistants? Giant baby turning into a hamster sidekick? The radish spirit being an immediate ally? Are you kidding me? This movie is comprised of a million little overwhelming moments that tug at your heartstrings and weave everything beautifully together into a cohesive story. A visually stunning cinematic masterpiece.
