The critic praised Miyazaki's direction, saying that he "brings a sense of wonder and awe to the film, and his animation is breathtaking." Ebert also commended the film's characters, particularly San, the princess of the wolf-goddess, and Ashitaka, the prince of a neighboring village, who becomes embroiled in the conflict.
4/4 stars
Roger Ebert gave Princess Mononoke movie review - Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert's championing of Princess Mononoke (1997) was a pivotal moment for Japanese animation in the West. Awarding the film a perfect , Ebert described it as "one of the most visually inventive films" he had ever seen, urging audiences not to let conventional ideas about "cartoons" keep them from this adult-oriented masterpiece. A Vision Beyond Live Action princess mononoke roger ebert
– He noted the Shinto-influenced view that nature has its own gods and agency, making the conflict not just ecological but sacred. The forest spirit (Night Walker) he called “one of the most mysterious and powerful images in modern animation.”
a full , calling it "one of the most visually inventive films" he had ever seen. In his 1999 review, he praised Hayao Miyazaki as a "great animator" and urged audiences not to let conventional biases against animation prevent them from experiencing this epic story set in medieval Japan. Key Themes in Ebert's Review
While she seeks to destroy the forest, Ebert noted she is not a villain but a leader protecting a community of outcasts, including lepers and former prostitutes. The critic praised Miyazaki's direction, saying that he
For those interested in exploring Ebert's full legacy with the director, his review of Spirited Away and his ranking of the best anime movies offer further insight into his deep respect for Studio Ghibli. Princess Mononoke movie review - Roger Ebert
Ebert’s fascination with the film often centered on its ability to depict what live-action cinema could not. He specifically highlighted the "boar monster" at the film's start—a creature with flesh made of or worms—as a prime example of why animation was the essential medium for this story. To Ebert, Miyazaki’s work proved that animation doesn't just copy reality; it captures its essence by freeing the viewer from "the chains of the possible". Complexity Over Clichés
For a look at his original televised discussion of the film: Princess Mononoke - Review by Ebert & Fat Guy (1999) Moshroooom YouTube• May 19, 2012 Princess Mononoke movie review - Roger Ebert A Vision Beyond Live Action – He noted
“Princess Mononoke is a movie that earns its running time. It’s not just a cartoon; it’s a visionary epic that asks us to consider the price of civilization and the anger of the wild.”
Ebert concluded that the film reaffirmed animation’s potential for serious, adult storytelling — a tradition he felt began with Snow White and continued with Miyazaki.