Hmm.... another Miyazaki film has made it onto my Top 20 list. This should not surprise anyone who has been reading my reviews on some of his other films. Laputa is just one more example of the master at work. This time, it is an action film that makes the list. An animation showcase that puts Disney to shame with a much lower budget (it is a bit ironic that Disney purchased the distribution rights for the US -- I guess if you can't beat em, distribute em).
DESCRIPTION
Laputa (Castle in the Sky) is a story about two orphaned kids about age 12. Sheeta, a girl with a mysterious family history, and her new friend Pazu, an apprentice miner.
The movie opens up with Sheeta being transported somewhere by plane, when all of a sudden, a band of air pirates takes the plane. Sheeta, trys to hide outside the window of her plane cabin, but falls off the plane, assumedly to her death. Before she falls, we get a glimpse of a medallion around her neck, that the pirates keep referring to as a "levistone." It is this medallion that seems to slow Sheeta's descent to the ground (and into Pazu's outstretched hands) that saves her life.
Thus we have the start of a great adventure for our two new friends. It would be wrong to give away the excellent storyline by telling much more, but it should be mentioned that the title -- Laputa, Castle in the Sky is relevant. Pazu's father claimed to see the castle on one of his expeditions, but died trying to find it again, to prove his claims. Sheeta also has mysterious ties to Laputa as well. I'll leave it at that, so as not to ruin the experience for you. I will say that the movie is packed with action from start to finish, leaving viewers little time to catch their breath (as if they even would want to with a film this good)!
EVALUATION
ART/ANIMATION
WOW, I was absolutely astonished at how good both the art and animation were in this film! Artwork was extremely well detailed, and animation was almost as fluid as the best I have seen. Considering this was a film made in the mid 1980's, it is even more impressive!
CHARACTER DESIGN
OK -- I might as well admit that I love all of Miyazaki's character designs, and Laputa is no exception. Sheeta and Pazu are nicely done, as are the supporting characters. Anyone who has seen any of Miyazaki's other films, can expect more of the same high quality designs here.
MUSIC
Laputa has the best music of all the Miyazaki/Ghibli films I have seen so far. The incedental music used throughout was excellent, and the closing song was great as well. I felt the music was used very effectively to convey the tone of the story and the action. Just an all around nice job!
STORYLINE
I loved it, what else can I say. It was fast paced (the way I like my stories), well orchestrated, and character development was quite good for a movie. It is rare that an action type film can have such a powerful storyline, but Laputa proves that it can happen (and did). Action and Sci-Fi fans should be thrilled with the results.
OVERALL
Just a superb film, end of story. Great action, storyline, music and character design, mix with fluid animation to produce one of the best films I have seen. This is a film I would feel comfortable showing to even non-anime viewers. It is also a good example of what a good "family" film should be like. You won't find characters jumping up and singing stupid songs here (like many other "family" films I have seen). Instead you get non-stop action that everyone in the family can enjoy. Disney, eat your heart out!
Art/Animation 9.8
Review By:"Dr." David Seid
Character Design 9.7
Music 8.5
Storyline 9.5
Overall 9.4