There is a God of Animation and his name isn't Walt Disney.

Hayao Miyazaki is an acknowledged pioneer in the field and the best Japan has to offer as an animated genius. With Princess Mononoke, he had already made history. It became the top grossing film ever released in that country.

Miyazaki's films have an original magic far away from the wisecracking sidekick and all-singing all-dancing approach of Hollywood. In Princess Mononoke, there is a combination of mythic storytelling, mystical forces and lush visuals, which immediately pull you in. There is an edge to it that Disney would never explore.

This is an ecological tale of demons, tree spirits, war, heroes and heroines. Miyazaki challenges himself once again by trying yet another approach, not so much with animation as with plot. He takes evolutionary steps with his distinct character design and beautiful landscapes of traditional hand-painted scenery.

Set in medieval Japan, the film tells the story of a struggle between nature and man. The imminent arrival of technology is embodied in the weapons forged by the ambitious Tatara clan, which threatens the natural forces that hold all living things together. They aim to destroy the great god of the forest and the spirits it protects. After killing a wild boar, infected and transformed by human anger into a demon diety, the hero Ashitaka must leave his village to solve the beast's fatal curse. This brings him into the midst of political intrigue and a crucial battle between the forces of nature and man.

Miyazaki's heavy layered fable is by no means a film for children, neither is the graphic violence depicted during the battle scenes. It is infinitely more mature than anything you might expect from an average cartoon feature.

An impressive cast, which includes Billy Bob Thornton, Billy Crudup and Claire Danes, has been brought together to voice Neil Gaiman's English screenplay. These are respected actors and do the translation justice.

Princess Mononoke is a must-have for fans of anime and animation. It is a perfect example of how fantastic this genre can be when pushed to its limits.