Castle in the Sky (1986)

A gang of pirates, a group of mysterious government agents chasing an orphaned young girl, a stone with mystical powers, and a plethora of familiar tropes from the steampunk aesthetic are just a few of the many pleasures that Hayao Miyazaki's 1986 film Castle in the Sky offers.  The first release from Studio Ghibli, the famed Japanese animation powerhouse founded by the renowned animation directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata.  Made before Miyazaki became the world's premier animator with films such as Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away, it shows him while he was just beginning to incorporate many of the themes and elements present in his later films (as does his previous effort, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind).

The film begins with a girl, Sheeta,  under strict watch aboard an airship; a pirate raid provides her with a chance to escape, however she slips off the side of the ship and falls.  As a mysterious stone she wears as a pendant begins to glow and slow her fall to a safe speed, a boy of the same age, Pazu, sees her as she falls and catches her.  The next morning she wakes up in the boy's home (he is an orphan and lives alone); they become fast friends, though the pirates and government agents are hot on her trail.  Sheeta and Pazu make their escape and realize that Sheeta is being pursued because of her connection to the mythical floating island of Laputa.  Sheeta is captured by the government agents, led by the dastardly Colonel Muska.  Pazu teams up with the pirates to rescue Sheeta, beginning a race to Laputa between Muska and the young pair, with consequences far greater than who gets the treasure.

The animation in the film, as is the case with all Miyazaki films, is both impeccable and gorgeous.  The world in which the story takes place, similar to Europe of the early twentieth century (my best guess), is beautifully realized with vivid colors and a level of detail normally not usually seen in animated films.  An example of this is present on the airship of the pirate gang, unlike the many films that make advanced vehicles spotless and images of efficiency.  That is not the case here; it is how I would imagine a pirate ship would be: it is cluttered, in desperate need of repair, but it gets the job done (not unlike the Millennium Falcon in the Star Wars trilogy). Many of the scenes taking place in the clouds are shockingly realistic, particularly for a hand-drawn animated film.

The two lead characters are well-rounded and likable; both of characters are intelligent, brave, self-sufficient, and spunky.  It is also refreshing to see orphaned children on film that developed into strong young people and not bitter young people.  Pazu is a character that many people can identify with; he works (hard) in a mine, but dreams of the sky.  Pazu is reminiscent of many a young man, when he is told to sneak out the back-door with Sheeta: he is appalled at the apparent cowardice of the act; when he is told to protect her: he swells with pride, and proceeds to sneak out the back-door with Sheeta.  Muska is one of Miyazaki's only traditional villains; he lacks any redeeming qualities, though he does provide a sense of legitimate menace (he pulls a gun on a child, and fires)  that is often lacking in both animated and family films.  The gang of pirates is different from most others portrayed on film for two reasons: it is led by a woman, and it is a family affair (a mother, a father, and a bunch of sons).

If one is familiar with other Miyazaki works, many of the themes present will be familiar.  There is a subtle environmental message, although it is far less prevalent than in some of his other works.  A more prominent theme is that (the prospect of) absolute power corrupts absolutely.  Miyazaki, a feminist, has a penchant for having strong, young female characters as the protagonist (in this case, one of the protagonists); Sheeta fits into this category well, courageous and intelligent, she demonstrates from the opening scene she is not a mere damsel in distress.

Castle in the Sky is a thoroughly entertaining animated fantasy film that happens to be the rare family film that is actually enjoyable for the entire family, and not just the little kids.  Though it lacks some of the subtlety that has been trademark of more recent Miyazaki films, it is still a truly exceptional family film and a rollicking adventure story that just so happens to be a wonderful to look at.

9/10

Note: I watched the film in the original Japanese with English subtitles and not with the English dubbing.

Additional Note: This review was previously posted on another blog I wrote.