On April 15, 2003, Disney released three Miyazaki animated films, CASTLE IN THE SKY, KIKI’S DELIVERY SERVICE and the Oscar Winning SPIRITED AWAY. One can only wonder why they held up distribution for so long. With the English dubbing having been done long ago, it would seem these films would have already been known to US audiences.

Before PRINCESS MONONOKE, MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO or SPIRITED AWAY, there was CASTLE IN THE SKY . Of the earlier films, this one is so typically the work of the great Japanese animator that I am appalled that it was withheld for so long. The movie was released to a very limited box office in the US in 1989. There may have been a VHS tape released, but I have found no record of it. I would be interested to know when the English voice cast actually recorded their part. My guess is, a while ago-but not too long a while.

This movie has become one of my favorite fantasies almost overnight. The story is original, written by Miyazaki, inspired by Miyazaki, and directed by Miyazaki. Jack Semper adapted it for English Dubbing. It is a tale of adventure, talks of the foibles of man, reminding us of our responsibility to the planet. And two great teens are the heroes , a boy and a girl.

JAPANESE VS ENGLISH VERSION

Once again, I suppose it is a matter of taste. I like the English renditions of the voice characters, but it really almost always seems more harmonious when the original Japanese caste say their lines. It only matters, I guess , if you are a purist. I will say this for Pixar, they do at least find a worthy group of voices for their translations. In this case, the ones of note are Anna Paquin, Cloris Leachman , Mark Hamill, and Mandy Patinkin.

ANIMATION, MUSIC

This is a Miyazaki spectacular, featuring all of his favorite elements. Flying machines abound, as well as magic floating islands, a crystal that focuses power, characters that come alive through their animation and stunning naturalistic scenery. All of this is done with imagination and great attention to detail. It is even interesting to note all the different types of flying machines that fly by with the opening credits across the screen. I particularly appreciate the way Miyazaki handles even the least significant character, giving them complete personalities, even if they are only small parts of bigger pictures. Notice , for example, the personality of the foreman in the opening scenes, in the village, as well as his family. Not important to the plot exactly, but important to showing the nature of the environment in which the young man lived.

The music is another fabulous and lyrical composition by Jo Hisaishi, with one particularly beautiful coronet solo , used by one if the characters to greet the dawn, as the vista opens up on a beautiful valley in the mountains. It is breathtaking , and the single instrument solo makes it unforgettable.

THEMES

This is a fairly complex plot, and it deals with broader themes of politics, the greed of man, and the abuse of natural resources and power. The crystal is equivalent to harnessing the power of the atom, and its abuse is to be prevented. Or, it may be a broader application-relating to the abuse of power through overpowering weapons of destruction.(Same thing to me) The story is not hard to follow and is not at all confusing, but it may be a little too advanced for very young children.

The romance between the boy and the girl is definitely not a pre-adolescent theme, although the animation might make you think so. In fact the Japanese voices sound a lot younger. It manifests more like real love. Certainly the level of self sacrifice of the two young heros bespeaks a broader understanding of the world and its evils than could be expected of a child even a few years younger. The film will take over 2 hours to watch, which is a little long. It went by pretty fast for me.

Good guys, Bad guys, or just regular guys?


The pirates in the sky turn out to be the element to watch for humor, although you won’t think so at first. And the face of the pirate captain is remarkably like a character we will later see in SPIRITED AWAY. The bad guy turns out to be the government official, backed by the army. The villagers and miners are good people but not really involved in the story. There are some ancient robots that are neutral until activated.

The genre of this animation is much more a an adventure than anything else, although it includes elements from other genres as well.

THE DVD

Includes a brief interview with the English voice caste, a brief intro by John Lasseter of Pixar studios, and a full feature length presentation of all the Storyboards. Those of you who are particularly interested in Miyazaki’s imagination and drawings should find it fascinating.

THE PLOT

A girl, Sheeta is traveling on what looks like a commercial airship of some fantastic kind. (This is not our world but Miyazaki’s world) As she looks out the window she sees some air pirates approaching the ship, led by Dora and her sons. She uses the disturbance to try to escape, and with her crystal necklace, instead falls out the window. Instead of plummeting to the earth, her crystal lights up and she floats down to earth. Pazu, a boy apprenticed to a mining engineer, sees her falling and catches her. This will be the beginning of the story.

The pirates are looking for the crystal the girl wears, and Pazu and Sheeta escape-only to be retrieved by the man who had Sheeta in the first place, Muska, now traveling with the army. He too wants the crystal, but he wants Sheeta as well.

Pazu dreamed about finding a flying kingdom, Laputa, thought to be a fable by most people. His father claimed to have seen it once, and died in dishonor when no one believed him. Pazu lives for the day when he can finish his own flying machine, and find Laputa to redeem his father’s honor. And Sheeta, we discover, is more than what she at first appears to be. Her last name reveals her to be a descendant from the rulers of the fabled Laputa, and the crystal she wears has powerful magic qualities.

The pirates are in hot pursuit, and Sheeta sends Pazu away, although he doesn’t realize she is saving his life at the time. The pirate Dora sets him straight, so he joins Dora in trying to get Sheeta back from Muska and the army. All of the people involved are looking for Laputa. Dora’s pirates are looking for treasure, Muska is hungry for power.

This is where I must leave you to make your own discoveries. There is quite an adventure in store if you chose to take this journey with Miyazaki.


THE CAST/CHARACTERS AND PERFORMANCES


Mayumi Tanaka/James Van Der Beek- as Pazu. This character is fearless, intelligent and curious. You can see what motivates him from his facial expressions and voice inflections. The Japanese voice for this character is played by a woman, who has done all sorts of voices since 1984, including many teen -age boys. For the American actor, this is listed as his first credit on his filmography, although he is certain have been more than 9 years old when he did this voice. I think I like the older sounding voice better for this part.

Keiko Yokozawa/Anna Paquin as Sheeta-The character is no nonsense, and brave, yet still feminine. She understands the message of the miner, to be very careful of the power of the crystal. She is a wonderful character, well worth saving. The Japanese actress who played this part has been active in the Pokemon series, and many other projects as well. Anna Pacquin, who won an Oscar at the age of 11 for the PIANO would have been 4 years old when this was released. I am betting it was a lot more recently recorded..

Minori Terada/Mark Hamill as Muska-This character is equally evil in both presentations. The Japanese actor has been at it about as long as Hamill, but this character is a far cry from Luke Skywalker! Oily and Smooth to cool and angry. Good job, both parts.

Kotoe Hatsui/Cloruis Leachman as Dora-The female capatain of the pirates with a witch-like demeanor, a conquering spirit and as it turns out, a soft sentimental side as well. She saves these kids, and they save her. The Japanese voice is a little less abrasive than Leachman's. Her relationship with her sons and husband are probably the funniest parts of this flick.


Fujio Tokita /Richard Dysart as Uncle Pomme-This is the old miner who reveals the secret of the crustal, and its connection to Laputa. He also gives the warning from the heart of Miyazaki himself to “listen to the rocks when they speak”, and not abuse the power of the earth. Only one appearance but it is critical. I did not find Dysart listed in the credits on IMDB, but he plays in the ending credits.

Y-os-h-i-t-o Yasuhara/ Mandy Patinkin as Louis-This is one of the sons. I am unable to distinguish him for the others except that he is a little more dashing and a little less stupid than the others. The sons are all very finny, and ultimately endearing. Mandy won my heart in THE PRINCESS BRIDE many years ago..


There are numerous other wonderful voice actors in both the Japanese and the American versions.


FINAL RECOMMENDATION


If you have never seen a Miyazaki animation before, this wonderful adventure may be a good place to start. It is fill of life, fun and magic, not to mention Miyazaki’s fantastic and various flying machines.

Other Japanese animation reviews:

MIYAZAKI

KIKI’S DELIVERY SERVICE
http://www.epinions.com/content_100898344580
MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO
http://www.epinions.com/content_98467155588
PRINCESS MONONOKE
http://www.epinions.com/mvie-review-922-43A44A66-3A473749-prod3


TAKAHATA

- GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES
http://www.epinions.com/content_97416154756

Shouji MANGA : SORCERER ON THE ROCKS
http://www.epinions.com/content_100179152516









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Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older