Spirited Away [PG]

Moving to a new home and a new school is scary for anyone, but for young Chihiro it’s going to be the scariest thing she’s ever experienced. When Chihiro and her parents take a wrong turn on the way to their new home, they come across a hidden world of spirits and sorcery. After her parents are mysteriously transformed, it’s up to Chihiro to save them and get them back in the real world. But with evil witches after her and nobody on her side, can she find the courage?

Another classic movie from celebrated filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, Spirited Away won the Academy Away for Best Animated Feature Film in 2003 and has been described by John Lasseter, the director of Toy Story and Toy Story 2 as “one of the greatest animated films ever made.”

Whilst driving to their new home, young Chihiro and her parents take a wrong turn and end up at the mouth of a long dark tunnel. Curious to see what’s on the other side, they make their way through the darkness and discover a world of spirits and sorcery. After her parents are mysteriously transformed into pigs, Chihiro is left alone and determined to save her mother and father and get them back to the real world. But there’s an evil witch after her and people on this side of the tunnel don’t think too highly of humans. With everyone against her and the witch Yubaba on her trail, can Chihiro summon the courage to free her parents and fight her way to the outside world?

All these anime movies seem to have one constant driving message: the healing power of love. In Howl’s Moving Castle it was Sophie’s love that broke the spell and set Howl free and in Spirited Away it’s love that will help Chihiro save her parents. But, all cheesiness aside, Spirited Away is an enchanting tale of determination, courage and spirit. The film has a lovely little script and a beautiful soundtrack to match. Not to mention the story. The story itself is genius. The film is filled with wonderful characters such as the young girl Chihiro, the evil witch Yubaba, the loner spirit No-Face, and Haku the eye-candy.   An enchanting adventure for the entire family, Spirited Away is a classic that I come back to again and again.