Say what you like about Disney, but animation fans will always honour the studio for promoting the films of Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki. A shotgun marriage of Jules Verne, Hans Christian Andersen and yes, Walt himself, Miyazaki's imaginative, poetic movies define classic family entertainment without talking down to the audience.
Coinciding with the Blu-Ray release of his latest flick Ponyo (review to follow), Disney is releasing 1986's Castle in the Sky (Tenkû no shiro Rapyuta in Japan). The film that established Miyazaki's fledgling Studio Ghibli as a force to be reckoned with in Japanese animation, Castle in the Sky is a high-flying action adventure that brings together some of the old maestro's favourite themes: concern for the environment, friendship, pacifism and the moral consequences of technological advancement.
Anna Paquin, James Van Der Beek, Mark Hamill Voice Roles in Castle in the Sky English Dub
Eleven-year-old Sheeta (Anna Paquin in the English dub) finds herself kidnapped by the ruthless Colonel Muska (Mark Hamill), who's interested in the mysterious crystal pendant she inherited from her grandmother. When their zeppelin is attacked by a group of sky pirates led by Dola (Cloris Leachman), Sheeta falls overboard, seemingly to her death. However, her pendant suddenly envelopes her in a blue light, allowing her to float safely to earth.
Enter a young explorer named Pazu (James Van Der Beek). He tells her about the lost city of Laputa, that floats high in the sky thanks to long-forgotten technology. Pazu's father was ridiculed for believing in its existence and Pazu wants to clear his dad's name. However, both Dola and Muska believe that Sheeta's pendant is crucial to finding the lost castle's treasures, and will stop at nothing to achieve their objective . . .
Some animated films have aged badly (*cough*Oliver and Company*cough*), and even classics like Snow White have dated elements. Castle in the Sky doesn't look like it was produced in 1986, and its visuals and story hold up 24 years later. In fact, the film's look is even more timely today, given the rise of steampunk in science-fiction and fantasy literature. While Miyazaki was still developing his craft in Castle, many of his signature moves are in place and some sequences are simply breathtaking, such as when Sheeta and Pazu wake up on Laputa.
Disney typically brought in some Hollywood stars for the 2003 English dub; the most controversial decision was to use Paquin and fading teen heartthrob Van Der Beek for the voices of Sheeta and Pazu. This decision makes them sound older than in Miyazaki's original vision, and doesn't really work for the tale. However, no one can argue with the talents Cloris Leachman (Blücher!) and the ever-reliable Mark Hamill bring to their roles.
Castle in the Sky DVD Extras
John Lasseter introduces the film, telling you how wonderful it is and how smart you are for buying the DVD. He's right, of course, but it is preaching to the choir loft. Anime fans will appreciate the inclusion of the original dub, while subtitlophobes (is that a word? It is now.) will immediately jump to the English track.
The 'Behind the Studio' featurette includes interviews with the notoriously publicity-shy Miyazaki, plus comments from producer Toshio Suzuki and composer Joe Hisaishi. Van Der Beek, Hamill, Mandy Patinkin and Leachman also talk about doing voice work. There's also a gallery of animatics, set to the English dub.
'Enter the Lands of Ghibli' is an interactive tour of the worlds of Castle, My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service and Ponyo. It's a lot of fun but Disney missed a golden opportunity to introduce audiences to Miyazaki's other films like Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle and Porco Rosso (images from those films appear in the overview map).
Considering that Disney will likely release those films on DVD in the future, it seems like a shame the Mouse House didn't take the opportunity to whet audience appetites for those films.
Castle in the Sky is a Fine Film. Period.
While it doesn't stand among Miyazaki's best work – fans generally point to My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke or the Oscar-winning Spirited Away – Castle in the Sky is still a wonderful movie. Whether you seek a film to spark a child's imagination, love animation or simply love film, Castle in the Sky deserves a place on your shelf. It gets a 5/5.
Dominic von Riedemann - Dominic is the Animated Film Feature Writer, and winner of 11 Suite 101 Editors' Choice Awards.
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