Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind

The next film in the Studio Ghibli Fest was Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind.  Unfortunately, I had to see this film without my friend and I had to see the dubbed version rather than the subtitled version (which is my preference) because my life is so crazy and yesterday was the only day I could fit it in.  I'm glad I made the effort because I really enjoyed this film and I would have been sad to have missed it.  In a post-apocalyptic world, a toxic forest filled with seemingly hostile mutant insects, including giant armored insects called Ohms, threatens to destroy the remaining kingdoms on Earth.  Princess Nausicaa, who lives in the Valley of the Wind, explores the toxic forest trying to understand it and she seems to have a calming effect on the insects.  Two other kingdoms, Tolmekia and Pejite, both want to destroy the toxic forest but Nausicaa has learned that the forest is actually renewing the Earth and must try to stop them.  One of the things I really admired about this narrative is that the other kingdoms aren't motivated by power or greed but, rather, fear and survival.  Nausicaa doesn't want to punish or hurt them but convince them of the truth.  I loved the message that understanding can overcome fear and I definitely think that we can use a little bit more understanding in the world today.  Once again, Hayao Miyazaki has created a young female character that is incredibly courageous and kind and I loved her, especially when she faces a terrifying group of attacking Ohms by herself (it is absolutely brilliant when their eyes gradually turn from red to blue through her calming influence).  I've noticed that Miyazaki seems to be obsessed with flight and I really enjoyed the scenes with Nausicaa on her glider.   As with all of the Studio Ghibli films I've seen so far, I really enjoyed the animation because the images are so beautiful, almost like watercolor paintings.  Definitely watch this film if you have the opportunity, preferably on the big screen.

Note:  The dubbed version was actually pretty good.  I especially enjoyed Patrick Stewart as a wise and revered swordsman.

Castle in the Sky

Last night I met my friend to see Castle in the Sky, the next film in the Studio Ghibli Fest, and it is absolutely amazing.  It is very different from the other films I've seen in this series because it is an epic adventure filled with imagination and emotion and I will probably be thinking about it for a long time to come.  It involves a quest for a mysterious and powerful floating island called Laputa (there is also a flying island named Laputa in Gulliver's Travels) by pirates who seek it for treasure, by a Colonel and his army who want to use its power to control the world, and by a young girl who has a glowing pendant, passed down through the generations of her family, that seems to lead to Laputa.  She is aided by a young miner who rescues her and together they must decide the fate of Laputa.  The characters go from one adventure to the next and I was simply blown away by the imaginative world-building.  It is all so fantastical and I was captivated by the storytelling.  I loved the two main characters of Sheeta and Pazu because they are very determined and resourceful and their relationship with each other is so pure.  But more than that, the two of them are so brave, especially in a powerful and emotional scene where they make a decision about Laputa.  I was quite fascinated by the unusual technology, especially all of the flying machines and the machines used in the mine.  I'll say it again.  Hayao Miyazaki has an impressive imagination.  The music used in the film is fantastic, ranging from choral pieces, to beautiful and atmospheric melodies (I loved the harp), to pulse-pounding beats to heighten the tension.  Finally, I think my very favorite aspect of this film is the color palette.  I loved the use of blue, turquoise, green, and purple to represent the power of the pendant.  I cannot recommend this film enough!  I am starting to understand why people are such fans of anime.  I never knew that cartoons could be so powerful!

Kiki's Delivery Service

Last night I saw Kiki's Delivery Service, the next film in the Studio Ghibli Fest.  I enjoyed My Neighbor Totoro so much that I decided to see the rest of the films in the series.  This film is about a 13-year-old witch in training named Kiki who must leave her home and travel to a new place to discover her destiny.  Believing that her talent is for flying, she begins delivering items using her broomstick and we follow her on her adventures.  Eventually self-doubt causes Kiki to lose her ability to fly and her friends must help her to regain her confidence.  I loved this movie so much!  I think I loved it even more than My Neighbor Totoro because I related to much to the character of Kiki.  She is incredibly resourceful in finding her way in a hostile world, including finding a place to live and a way of earning money all on her own.  She encounters many obstacles in her delivery service but she uses her ingenuity to solve every problem and I found her to be such an empowering character.  However, the characteristic that I enjoyed the most in Kiki is her kindness.  She is kind to everyone around her and it is that kindness that eventually brings her rewards in the end.  I loved that message!  I also liked the fact that Kiki is a real 13-year-old girl with typical teenage problems, especially in her relationships with other teenagers.  She is so authentic!  Jiji, Kiki's black cat, is also a really fun character and the source of much laughter at my screening.  The setting is a beautiful, almost European, seaside city and the animation is so colorful and vibrant.  This movie is just delightful and I highly recommend it!  Go here for more information about the Studio Ghibli Festival.

My Neighbor Totoro

I think my friend is trying to turn me into an anime fan because she invited me to see My Neighbor Totoro with her on Monday night (she also recommended Your Name which is quite possibly my favorite movie of the year).  Her plan may be working because I absolutely loved this adorable film, so much so that I am considering seeing the rest of the films in the Studio Ghibli Festival.  My Neighbor Totoro is an imaginative look at the childhood of two sisters who have moved from the city to the country to be nearer to their mother who is recovering in the hospital from a long illness.  The younger sister, Mei, is left to play on her own outside where she meets an otherworldly woodland creature that only she can see.  Eventually both of the girls have fantastical adventures with this creature and it ultimately rescues Mei when she gets lost.  The animation is beautiful with every frame reminding me of a watercolor painting; the characters are endearing and I especially loved the relationship between the sisters and the nanny reminded me of a neighbor I had when I was young; and the story is magical, portraying the innocence of childhood as it once was.  I had a smile on my face during the entire film and I especially loved the scene where the girls give Totoro their umbrella.  I loved literally everything about this film and I definitely recommend it for everyone, especially children.  Go here for more information about the Studio Ghibli Fest.