New On Video: 'Spirited Away,' 'Transporter'
Also New: 'Family Guy' Season 1 & 2
POSTED: 3:08 p.m. EDT April 18, 2003
'Spirited Away' (PG) Don't be fooled by Disney's attachment to "Spirited Away" -- a film import from famed Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki that's a far cry from the traditional family fare associated with the studio giant's famed animation division.
"Toy Story" and "A Bug's Life" filmmaker John Lasseter directed the voices for the American translation of the film, about a 10-year-old girl named Chihiro (Daveigh Chase) who's swept into a bizarre world of spirits after her parents are taken captive in a desolate amusement park-like setting. Encountering both good and evil forces, Chihiro must overcome her fears and pass a set of unique challenges if she is to set her parents free.
If "Spirited Away" does have anything over its Oscar competitors -- "Ice Age," "Lilo & Stitch," "Spirit: The Stallion of the Cimarron" and "Treasure Planet" -- it's a far more serious narrative. Among the characters Chihiro encounter in the brooding world of the film are an evil witch and her trio of disembodied heads, a creature splashing blood as it thrashes around from its wounds, and a villainous spirit that disgustingly spews a never-ending trail of vomit.
As you might have guessed, "Spirited Away" is hardly a film for the "Winnie the Pooh" set. In fact, it has more frightening moments than its four other Oscar competitors combined, and probably isn't appropriate for any kids 10 and under. If you want pure, unadulterated fun, then you're better off with "Ice Age" and its award-nominated counterparts.
DVD Features: Two-disc set includes Original Japanese language track, introduction to the film by Lasseter, a voice talent featurette, a "Making Of" featurette, original Japanese trailers, the Art of 'Spirited Away,' and more. Also new on DVD are Miyazaki's "Kiki's Delivery Service" and "Castle in the Sky." (Walt Disney Home Entertainment)
'The Transporter' (PG-13) Don't be expected to be transported to any great cinematic places with "The Transporter," a run-of-the-mill action movie that relies on stereotypical characters and re-hashed plot devices to move the story along with marginally satisfying results.
Jason Statham ("Snatch") stars as Frank Martin, a man who transports dangerous goods from point A to B with no questions asked. But his normally clockwork operations go awry when his most recent shipment -- a woman (Qi Shu) kidnapped by international slave traders -- nearly gets him killed.
"The Transporter" isn't a bad movie by any means, it's just a movie we've seen countless times before. Frank amazingly cheats death at every turn, always seems to beat the odds no matter how many bad guys there are to kick his butt, and of course, the girl develops a special liking for him.
Apart from one interesting scene where Frank takes on a gaggle of bad guys in a car garage saturated with barrels of oil, there's really nothing novel about the movie. Fans of fast-paced action and lots of kicking will likely get a kick out of "The Transporter," the rest won't miss anything by passing on it.
DVD Features: Audio commentary with Statham and producer Steven Chasman, a "Making Of" featurette and 15 minutes of extended fight sequences with optional commentary by Statham. (Fox Home Entertainment)
'Family Guy' Season 1 & 2 (NR)Don't be fooled by the "Family" friendly title -- the four-disc set for the insanely funny first and second seasons of the "Family Guy" series is hardly suitable for family viewing. That's not to say adults won't thoroughly enjoy this animated riot.
Created by Seth McFarlane, "Family Guy" is a quick-witted look at a suburban family that skewers pop culture, celebrities, historical events and figures and well, just about everything else everything else under the sun. Series standouts include family patriarch Peter, his intellectually evil mutant baby Stewie and their wiseacre dog Brian all voiced to perfection by McFarlane.
"Family Guy" is no question more provocative than its Fox network counterpart "The Simpsons," which has developed far more of a fan base. But, now the series accessibility on DVD, a new following is sure to develop. The show is hilarious. DVD features audio commentary on all four discs by McFarlane (who sounds nothing like his characters) and select cast members and crew, who chortle though the episodes. (Fox Home Entertainment)
"Toy Story" and "A Bug's Life" filmmaker John Lasseter directed the voices for the American translation of the film, about a 10-year-old girl named Chihiro (Daveigh Chase) who's swept into a bizarre world of spirits after her parents are taken captive in a desolate amusement park-like setting. Encountering both good and evil forces, Chihiro must overcome her fears and pass a set of unique challenges if she is to set her parents free.
If "Spirited Away" does have anything over its Oscar competitors -- "Ice Age," "Lilo & Stitch," "Spirit: The Stallion of the Cimarron" and "Treasure Planet" -- it's a far more serious narrative. Among the characters Chihiro encounter in the brooding world of the film are an evil witch and her trio of disembodied heads, a creature splashing blood as it thrashes around from its wounds, and a villainous spirit that disgustingly spews a never-ending trail of vomit.
As you might have guessed, "Spirited Away" is hardly a film for the "Winnie the Pooh" set. In fact, it has more frightening moments than its four other Oscar competitors combined, and probably isn't appropriate for any kids 10 and under. If you want pure, unadulterated fun, then you're better off with "Ice Age" and its award-nominated counterparts.
DVD Features: Two-disc set includes Original Japanese language track, introduction to the film by Lasseter, a voice talent featurette, a "Making Of" featurette, original Japanese trailers, the Art of 'Spirited Away,' and more. Also new on DVD are Miyazaki's "Kiki's Delivery Service" and "Castle in the Sky." (Walt Disney Home Entertainment)
'The Transporter' (PG-13) Don't be expected to be transported to any great cinematic places with "The Transporter," a run-of-the-mill action movie that relies on stereotypical characters and re-hashed plot devices to move the story along with marginally satisfying results.
Jason Statham ("Snatch") stars as Frank Martin, a man who transports dangerous goods from point A to B with no questions asked. But his normally clockwork operations go awry when his most recent shipment -- a woman (Qi Shu) kidnapped by international slave traders -- nearly gets him killed.
"The Transporter" isn't a bad movie by any means, it's just a movie we've seen countless times before. Frank amazingly cheats death at every turn, always seems to beat the odds no matter how many bad guys there are to kick his butt, and of course, the girl develops a special liking for him.
Apart from one interesting scene where Frank takes on a gaggle of bad guys in a car garage saturated with barrels of oil, there's really nothing novel about the movie. Fans of fast-paced action and lots of kicking will likely get a kick out of "The Transporter," the rest won't miss anything by passing on it.
DVD Features: Audio commentary with Statham and producer Steven Chasman, a "Making Of" featurette and 15 minutes of extended fight sequences with optional commentary by Statham. (Fox Home Entertainment)
'Family Guy' Season 1 & 2 (NR)Don't be fooled by the "Family" friendly title -- the four-disc set for the insanely funny first and second seasons of the "Family Guy" series is hardly suitable for family viewing. That's not to say adults won't thoroughly enjoy this animated riot.
Created by Seth McFarlane, "Family Guy" is a quick-witted look at a suburban family that skewers pop culture, celebrities, historical events and figures and well, just about everything else everything else under the sun. Series standouts include family patriarch Peter, his intellectually evil mutant baby Stewie and their wiseacre dog Brian all voiced to perfection by McFarlane.
"Family Guy" is no question more provocative than its Fox network counterpart "The Simpsons," which has developed far more of a fan base. But, now the series accessibility on DVD, a new following is sure to develop. The show is hilarious. DVD features audio commentary on all four discs by McFarlane (who sounds nothing like his characters) and select cast members and crew, who chortle though the episodes. (Fox Home Entertainment)Copyright 2003 by Lifewhile.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
