People are saying it's confusing in their reviews. I did not find it confusing, but I have to admit that I have re-read the novel (authored by Diane Wynne Jones just a bit too late for me to be the proper age for it) it's based on within the last year. The other people I went with did not find it confusing, and do not know the novel at all: however, I warned them that other people called it confusing, so they may have had their ears / eyes open a bit wider for plot-points.
Cinematically, it's beautiful. Plotwise, it's beautiful. Castingwise for the US dub, it's beautiful. I liked this one better than Spirited Away: however, I like the original novel a HELL of a lot, so this was bound to win out between the two, for me.
colubra-Bob sez: check it out.Oh, and for those I went with? The first sentence or two of the novel:
In the land of Ingary, where such things as seven-league boots and cloaks of invisibility really exist, it is quite a misfortune to be born the eldest of three. Everyone knows that you are the one who will fail first, and worst, if the three of you set out to seek your fortunes.
Sophie Hatter was the eldest of three sisters. She was not even the child of a poor woodcutter, which might have given her some chance of success. Her parents were well to do and kept a ladies' hat shop in the prosperous town of Market Chipping.
In case one of you suddenly realizes you want to read it.
