Miyazaki paints a stark picture of nature and mankind in direct conflict, but steers clear of obvious and easy solutions - and allows his audience to take some solace in the goodness of human nature on a smaller scale.

The morally ambiguous characters, who are at once sympathetic and callous, give weight and texture to what is otherwise a fairly linear plot.

This film superbly captures the lush vibrancy of nature in its etchings of verdant swamps, mountain country and deep forests. Characters effuse a genuine humanity, and computer animation harmonizes with traditional cel animation.

Get your cake and eat it too - queue up for the exact literal translation or the excellent idiomatic version served up by Neil Gaiman. And either voice cast is great.

Despite its clean decapitations, the actual MPAA gave the title a PG-13 rating.

Star power was used to good effect here with skilled actors delivering wonderful readings.

Love it? Hate it? Buy it.