“Princess Mononoke is a movie that earns its running time. It’s not just a cartoon; it’s a visionary epic that asks us to consider the price of civilization and the anger of the wild.”
One of Ebert's most profound takeaways was the film's moral ambiguity. Unlike Western fairy tales, Princess Mononoke avoids simple "good vs. evil" tropes.
: He recognized the "complex saga" Miyazaki crafted regarding the conflict between man's desire to tame nature and the forest's mystical defense. Collaborative Perspectives
– Ebert approved of the English dub (produced by Harvey Weinstein but with Miyazaki’s oversight), singling out Gillian Anderson, Billy Crudup, and Minnie Driver for strong performances.
The critic praised Miyazaki's direction, saying that he "brings a sense of wonder and awe to the film, and his animation is breathtaking." Ebert also commended the film's characters, particularly San, the princess of the wolf-goddess, and Ashitaka, the prince of a neighboring village, who becomes embroiled in the conflict.
Roger Ebert gave Princess Mononoke movie review - Roger Ebert