Castle in the Sky (1986)
Stepping stone for Studio Ghibliโs greatness.
Presentation:
Castle in the Sky is a Miyazaki film often overshadowed by Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke despite falling into the same category. This is a justified public consensus because the other two films are more developed and than this one in nearly every capacity. However, thatโs only because this film is so early and other films evolved off it. You can see traces of other animes in this one like a similar motif in the soundtrack (though nostalgically synthy), subtle hints of nature preservation and fantastical world building. The film has abundant action sequences which are quite energetic, so much so that I consider it an action film before a fantasy or adventure. Compared to more iconic characters from the Ghibli universe, I found the two leads to be plain and forgettable. The side characters like Dola and her husband are so much more vibrant and you can see their design carried over to Spirited Away. The steampunk vibes and nostalgia are a trip down memory lane.
Conclusion:
Although itโs a family anime, the story has an interesting structure where good guys and bad guys are ambiguous. But other than that, it felt quite simple compared to the over-engineered masterpieces of future works. This film was the stepping stone for those masterpieces, and for some that will be enough to solidify its greatness. For me, other Ghibli films do it better and I found this film relatively simplified though still better than most. I personally found it focusing too much on the action, but what a thrill it must have been to watch it in 1986.
Recommendations
Stepping stone for Studio Ghibliโs greatness.