TLDR;
This episode of Dub Talk kicks off season 8, "Summer at the Movies," with a review of the English dub of the classic Studio Ghibli film, Princess Mononoke. Stephanie and Hardy discuss the ADR staff, including the surprising involvement of Neil Gaiman as the writer, and the voice acting performances, highlighting both successful and less effective casting choices. They also touch on the film's environmental themes and its place in the history of English dubbing.
- Neil Gaiman's adaptation of the writing is a standout, handling the environmental themes and fantastical elements effectively.
- The dub has both successful and less effective casting choices, with seasoned voice actors generally outperforming celebrities.
- Despite its flaws, the dub is still listenable and a product of its time, with the film itself remaining a masterpiece.
Introduction [0:00]
Stephanie and Hardy introduce the episode as the premiere of season 8 of "Summer at the Movies," focusing on the English dub of Princess Mononoke. They express their excitement about revisiting one of their favorite Ghibli movies, noting it has been roughly a decade since either of them last watched it. They provide a brief summary of the film's plot, which centers on Ashitaka, a young man cursed while defending his village, and his journey into a conflict between forest gods and humans.
Summary of the Film [4:15]
The film follows Ashitaka, who, after being cursed by a demon god, seeks a cure and becomes entangled in a war between forest gods and Lady Eboshi's village. The movie explores themes of environmentalism and humanity's impact on nature, which remain relevant today.
ADR Staff: Director and Writer [8:35]
The ADR director for the English dub was Jack Fletcher, known for his work on old-school anime dubs like Ninja Scroll and Æon Flux, as well as other Ghibli films like Kiki's Delivery Service and Castle in the Sky. The script adaptation was written by Neil Gaiman, a renowned fantasy writer known for The Sandman comics, Coraline, and Good Omens. Gaiman's involvement was not revealed until 2019 and is credited on the G Kids Blu-ray release.
Direction and Writing Assessment [11:35]
The hosts assess the direction and writing of the dub, noting that it generally holds up well despite being 25 years old. The writing is straightforward but has a touch of Neil Gaiman's style, making it accessible to a North American audience. However, some directing choices, particularly with Ashitaka's line reads, can sound stiff. The dub predates Cowboy Bebop, which is often credited as a turning point in English dubbing, and suffers from stunt casting, where celebrities were brought in for box office appeal rather than voice acting talent.
Minor Characters: Gonza, Toki, and Koroku [20:06]
The hosts discuss three minor characters: Gonza, Toki, and Koroku. Gonza is played by John DiMaggio, known for his roles as Bender in Futurama and Jake the Dog in Adventure Time. Toki is voiced by Jada Pinkett Smith, primarily known for her live-action roles, such as Gloria in the Madagascar series. Koroku is voiced by John DeMita. Jada Pinkett Smith's voice doesn't quite fit the character, and her performance occasionally has a New York or Brooklyn accent.
The Gods: Moro and Okoto [28:32]
The hosts discuss the voice acting for the gods Moro and Okoto. Moro, the wolf god, is voiced by Gillian Anderson, known for her role as Dana Scully in The X-Files. Okoto, the boar god, is voiced by Keith David, a voice acting legend known for his roles as Goliath in Gargoyles and Dr. Facilier in The Princess and the Frog. Keith David's performance as Okoto is praised for its depth and emotion, while Gillian Anderson's Moro is noted for its growly voice and motherly qualities.
Jigo and Lady Eboshi [42:37]
Jigo is voiced by Billy Bob Thornton, and Lady Eboshi is voiced by Minnie Driver. Billy Bob Thornton's casting as Jigo is considered a misstep, as his voice sounds out of place for the character. Minnie Driver, on the other hand, is praised for her performance as Lady Eboshi, with her British accent adding a regal presence to the character.
Ashitaka and San (Princess Mononoke) [57:19]
Ashitaka is voiced by Billy Crudup, and San (Princess Mononoke) is voiced by Claire Danes. Billy Crudup's performance is considered stiff and stilted, while Claire Danes' performance is seen as flat. The hosts attribute these issues to stunt casting, where celebrities were chosen for their name recognition rather than their voice acting abilities.
Final Thoughts and Recommendations [1:15:17]
The hosts share their final thoughts on the dub and the movie. They agree that Princess Mononoke is a masterpiece that everyone should experience. While the dub is serviceable, it is a product of its time and would likely be better if produced today. They highlight the standout writing by Neil Gaiman and recommend watching the film in either English or Japanese. They also mention that Princess Mononoke will be in theaters for a limited time as part of Ghibli Fest.