Is Kitaro and the Millennium Curse Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2008)

📖 The Core Premise

Kitaro and the Millennium Curse stands as a 2008 entry that attempts to leave its mark on the Fantasy, Adventure landscape. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Young women disappear one after another in drizzling rain. They all hear the “cursed song” of the Cage Song before they vanish into thin air. Kitaro and his friends investigate these mysterious cases when they meet Kaede Hiramoto, a high school girl who finds herself involved in this mystery. With the help from the librarian of Yokai Library, they find out that the curse was caused by an evil Yokai that was released from 1,000 years of sealing. To save Kaede, they are to gather the 5 ancient musical instruments and perform the ritual to seal the evil Yokai again, which has to be done within 48 hours!"

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Unfortunately, Eiji Wentz feels underutilized in a role that lacks depth. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Fantasy. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Kitaro and the Millennium Curse worth your time? If you appreciate Fantasy, Adventure films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Kitaro and the Millennium Curse misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 119 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.