Review of Castle in the Sky
Studio Ghibli films are now recognized worldwide as some of the best animated films ever made. Not only for the sheer perfection of the animation technique itself, but also for their stories, which, year after year, become increasingly timeless and universal. And the mastermind behind both the creation and much of the studio's films, director Hayao Miyazaki, has become an icon in the industry, and whenever a new film of his is announced, it automatically becomes one of the most anticipated releases in cinemas. And in my quest to learn more about the great classics of Japanese animation, I embarked on an incredible and extremely enjoyablejourney of watching all of the renowned studio's films, and consequently, Miyazaki's, to understand how his films influenced future generations of filmmakers and storytellers in general, as well as establishing new parameters and foundations for all animation worldwide. And returning to the early films that laid the foundation for all the director's future narratives, I ended up coming across the first film produced entirely under the Studio Ghibli name. I'm talking about Castle in the Sky (1986).
In Castle in the Sky, we follow Sheeta, a young woman with a mysterious amulet who is being pursued by both pirates and government agents. After escaping, she meets Pazu, a boy who dreams of finding the mythical flying castle Laputa, and together they embark on an adventure to discover this legendary place, also discovering the power of dreams and friendship.
It might have sounded funny to call Studio Ghibli's first film, and only the third directed by Miyazaki, the synthesis of his entire career—that is, the one that encompasses the main ideas and essence of all his films. However, if you've seen some of the director's later films before Castle in the Sky, it won't take long to realize that most of the themes and elements present in them are also present in this first film. Alternating between calm, relaxing scenes, aided by the exceptional soundtrack—which I'll discuss later—and intense chase and action sequences, the director demonstrates how he has always masterfully managed the pace of his films. The scenes don't seem to have forced transitions, as all the plot's events seem interconnected in a vast, continuous web, everything connected so naturally that you barely notice the passage of time while watching the film.
Among the various elements Miyazaki repeatedly addresses in his stories, what strikes me most is his use of his female characters. They are all independent and empowered, but unlike many characters who are written terribly these days in the name of a political agenda of false representation, they are also feminine, caring, and loving, completely in tune with the explosive and reckless personalities of the male protagonists. And although Sheeta isn't as "powerful" as other girls created by the director, she still has several moments of prominence and importance in the story, but nothing is forced and everything feels very natural. This was all in the 1980s, when this type of character, in theory, wouldn't have been so well represented.
The director's personal feelings and opinions have always been very present in his works, and this is no different. By addressing the topic of weapons of mass destruction, Miyazaki shows us how human beings can distort something beautiful into something terrible, drawing a parallel with the great scientific discoveries and observations of nature that, in the hands of warlike individuals and institutions, ended up becoming terrible weapons. And by opting for a path of union/integration between human beings and nature as being the best for the future of humanity, rather than the destruction of one by the other, the director places us, through the innocent perspective of the main couple, in the midst of this relationship and shows us that, yes, it is possible.
Another element that is practically inseparable from all of Miyazaki's films today is the incredible and iconic soundtracks by composer Joe Hisaishi. A friendship that began with Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) and continues to this day, and I dare say that this friendship can be compared to that of American director Steven Spielberg and composer John Williams. And what can I say about the soundtracks of Ghibli films that you don't already know? They are magical, captivating, relaxing, exciting, and every other positive synonym imaginable. I honestly say that, aside from the film's main theme, this isn't Joe Hisaishi's best soundtrack for a Miyazaki film, but it's still spectacular.
All that said, I believe it's no exaggeration to say that Castle in the Sky perfectly encapsulates all the themes and elements Hayao Miyazaki addresses in virtually all of his films. It's an incredible journey of fantastic adventure and friendship that can be enjoyed even today, almost forty years after its release, and will certainly be enjoyed by many generations to come. After all, the films of Studio Ghibli and all its directors have shown many people the essence of Japanese creativity in creating unique and engaging stories. And the history of this great studio began with this film, which, although neither I nor most audiences consider the best of all, we cannot ignore everything it represents not only for Ghibli but for the entire global animation industry.