
Is Enchanted Princess Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1959)
Once upon a time, Okuro (Ayako Wakao), a young female racoon, lived poorly with her drunken father. One day after they disguised themselves as parasols, they were wrongly brought to the Racoon Palace, where the young racoon princess (also Ayako Wakao) made a mess of her arranged marriage with the beautiful racoon prince (Raizô Ichikawa). Pretty princess ran away. In order not to spoil the promising marriage, people tried to make use of resemblances between Okuro and the princess. Before long, Okuro and the Prince fell in love with each other...
✨ The Quick Verdict
If you are a fan of Fantasy, Comedy, Music cinema, then Enchanted Princess offers a standard experience that justifies its existence in the 1959 landscape.
👥 Target Audience
📔 Detailed Analysis
The Narrative Arc & Core Premise
Debuting in 1959, Enchanted Princess represents a sophisticated intersection of artistic ambition and genre-defining elements within the Fantasy, Comedy, Music category. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into Once upon a time, Okuro (Ayako Wakao), a young female racoon, lived poorly with her drunken father. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Fantasy, Comedy, Music are tested.
The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: "Once upon a time, Okuro (Ayako Wakao), a young female racoon, lived poorly with her drunken father. One day after they disguised themselves as parasols, they were wrongly brought to the Racoon Palace, where the young racoon princess (also Ayako Wakao) made a mess of her arranged marriage with the beautiful racoon prince (Raizô Ichikawa). Pretty princess ran away. In order not to spoil the promising marriage, people tried to make use of resemblances between Okuro and the princess. Before long, Okuro and the Prince fell in love with each other..."
Artistic Execution & Performance Study
A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. In Enchanted Princess, we see Raizō Ichikawa utilizing their established screen presence to carry the story forward. It is a solid, workmanlike performance that serves the director's vision without overshadowing the larger narrative goals.
The direction by Keigo Kimura is marked by a steady and professional hand. From a production standpoint, the film meets the high standards of modern industrial filmmaking. The sets are well-crafted, and the visual effects are integrated with a level of polish that ensures the viewer matches the director's intended level of immersion. While perhaps not groundbreaking, the execution is flawless. The pacing, over its 84 minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.
Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch
Is Enchanted Princess truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Fantasy, Comedy, Music, then this is a highly recommended entry that delivers on its promises while offering a few surprises along the way.
The film's ability to perfectly execute its genre requirements is why it has earned its 6.2/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.
Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision
At a deeper level, Enchanted Princess explores the dichotomy of truth and perception. The 1959 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Keigo Kimura respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.
The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.
Final Editorial Recommendation
Ultimately, Enchanted Princess serves as a reliable piece of entertainment that will satisfy core fans while providing a solid entry point for new viewers. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Raizō Ichikawa or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, Enchanted Princess is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.
⏳ Time Investment
At approximately 1.4 hours, the film requires a standard time commitment.