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Feature Presentation:
Special thanks to Disney DVD for sending a copy for a review for this site. This is the second Anime theater release that Disney have done & the latest Miyazaki movie release. It's now on DVD. The movie is really good, the animation is amazing with many details, sounds & very good music that moves you off your feet. The main character, Chihiro, have to learn to believe in herself, do her best to whaever task she set herself to save her parents. There are many charactes, some you might dislike, others you're gonna adore.
Video:
Disney DVD did a very great job. However, it seems that the images is a little fuzzy, like there has static, when you look closely at it. The movie is feature on Widescreen format. If you got a Widescreen TV, you're going to enjoy this even more. However, there seem to be watermark work done. You will only see the original Japanese credits if you turn on the Japanese audio track. The angle option is used, but you can't access it, meaning you can't watch the movie with the English track, with the original Japanese credits on screen, for the example.
There is an annoying part on this DVD release, it's the introduction to the movie by John Lasseter. Sorry to say this, it seem to make that Miyaki's movies is the only best & only Anime out there. For this movie, it seem Disney is proud to release it. Plus, you can't skip all those warnings & logos when you first load the DVD. It's a pain. Like all other DVDs release by Disney, you will get previews for other DVD releases. It's the only part where you cna press the "menu" button on your remote & go straight to the menu screen.
Dubbing: English:
The English dubbing is well done, even it's done by Disney. Disney is pretty famous casting famous actor & actress for voice talents. They have pick quite an interesting cast. They try to keep the original Japanese dialogue as much as possible, but somehow, not as much. It's about 80% of the original Japanese.
Dubbing: French:
The French dubbing is really cool. It's actually more close to the Japanese dialogue. It's about 85% of the original Japanese.
Audio 01: English 5.1:
Unable to test it, since I don't have a 5.1 surround system in my home, I can't really say much. According to many fans, it was really cool! One little note, you can't change the audio track during the movie, which bites.
Audio XX: English 2.0:
Just letting you know, there isn't an English 2.0 audio track on this DVD. This is artificially made from the 5.1 audio track, that's why I noted it as "XX". I found no problem with the audio, but I bet it would be alot more interesting with the 5.1.
Audio 02: Japanese 5.1:
Unable to test it, since I don't have a 5.1 surround system in my home, I can't really say much. According to many fans, it was really cool! One little note, you can't change the audio track during the movie, which bites.
Audio XX: Japanese 2.0:
Just letting you know, there isn't an Japanese 2.0 audio track on this DVD. This is artificially made from the 5.1 audio track, that's why I noted it as "XX". I found no problem with the audio, but I bet it would be alot more interesting with the 5.1.
Audio 03: Spanish 2.0:
No problem found.
Subtitle:
The subtitle is a little hard to read, but it's readable. I find that the translation for the Japanese dialogue need to be improve. They use yellow for the themes & all the dialogue & white for Japanese signs & text. There are two tracks of subtitling. One track is for the original English dialogue for the hearing impaired & the other one is for the Japanese dialogue. However, they didn't translated or subtitle for the Japanese songs for both subtitle track, like most other Anime company does.
Menu Option:
The menu is also in widescreen format, but if got just a regular full screen TV, it will display in that format with no problem. The menu is the scene where Chihiro is riding on a dragon. There is the "Play", "Screen Access", "Set Up" & "Extras". One of the background music of the movie is playing in the background.
DVD Extras:
This release have have 2 DVD discs, the first is the movie, the second, additional extra. The first disc have the clip of John Lasseter you see in the beginning of the movie. It's kinda pointless putting it twice. Also, there is a short clip about Disney & how they think about Spirited Away, which I really dislike alot. I find it that it make me think indirectly that the movie belongs to Disney. On the second disc, it's the actual complete storyboard-to-scene (along with both English & Japanese audio tracks), "behind the screen" on how the dubbing was done, along with interviews from the English cast, the original Japanese TV special on the making of the movie in Japan & the original Japanese trailers.
Packaging:
The package isn't as colorful this time. Like all Disney packing, it's done Disney style. In the front, you get to see Chihiro. In the back, just a picture of the bathhouse that the story mostly takes place. The insert is bascially the chapters of the movie, behind it have the description of what's each disc contains, as well a little note how Miyazaki get the inspiration to make the movie. On the first disc, it's the same image as the cover, the second, you see Chihiro talking to No Face.
PC Viewing:
Watching it on the PC is the same as watching it on the TV. However, like on the TV, it seems that the images is a little fuzzy, like it has static, when you look closely at it. The sound is just great. The movie is place on one single track, so loading time is really small. You can fast forward to the first to the last screen with one move on your mouse! Still, it got the same problem, you can't switch the angle. Also, you can't skip the warnings & logos when you load the disc until the preview of other Disney releases.
Overall DVD Rating:
This is a great movie to see for the entire family. For all you Anime fans that really into Anime, it lacks subtitle for the Japanese songs, like most of you are used to. Still, I feel it's too hype up by Disney, but don't let it stop you. It's a great addition to your collection.
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