Miyazaki's Laputa: Castle in the Sky

World-Building: Awesome
Characterization: Great
Plot: Fast-paced

Castle in the sky is one of Miyazaki's earlier films. It's a wonderful adventure story with an action-packed plot, wonderful world-building and visuals, and awesome flying machines. Miazaki includes flying machines in almost all his works, but in Castle in the sky they are central to the storyline.

The two main characters Sheeta and Patsu reminded me of Lana and Conan from the TV series Conan the Future Boy. However, in this tale Patsu, the main male character, doesn't have exceptional physical abilities - he's very much an ordinary boy who is driven by his desire to help Sheeta and his longing to see the magical world his father saw and prove to people that it exists.

The two main characters aren't the only ones looking for this magical world, but they have the key to it, so they are chased by the government as well as a band of pirates. The pirates in this case operate large flying machines, not ships, and their Captain is their fearsome mother.

What I liked most about this story - aside from the flying, of course - is the story behind Laputa. It may be an adventure story with many battles and chase scenes, but all of these adventurous goings-on have a meaning and a message beind them. At its heart this story is about power and the potential for destruction that it gives to those who hold it. It's also a lament, in some ways, for a lost world and there are many touching moments.

I watched the English Dub as usual, but in this case I found the lead character's voice acting very irritating. She attempted to use a British accent, but was unable to keep it up which became very jarring. I understand that there's another version of the English dub and I am hoping that one is less annoying, but I have yet to watch that one. (Has anyone seen it? Is it better?)

Overall, one of Miyazaki's best works and not one to miss.