Review of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

The Ghibli movie before Ghibli existed. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is a sprawling debut from animation's finest studio. Hypnotic and fantastical in sight, sound and scope - Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is an artistically ambitious foundation for all of Ghibli and Miyazaki's work to come. Set 1,000 years after the collapse of modern civilization, Nausicaä takes place in a refreshingly gritter universe in comparison to other Ghibli works. A post-apocalyptic wasteland of barren and beauty - where creatures of both magical and maleficent nature can be found - the world of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind comestogether to act as its own character. The Valley of the Wind itself is a town bustling with life - where the wind is just as important to the villagers as food and water. The wind breathes new life, and without it no life can be sustained. In the 1,000 years since our world ended - a new world has formed and flourished from its fallen frame. A world encased in the destructive Sea of Decay. The Sea of Decay is, in a sense, its own character; and further enhances the depth of the world as a character. The Sea of Decay is an omnipresent forest of poison filled with a deadly miasma that challenges all human and animal life. Only those equipped with a Shohki Mask can navigate its unforgiving network safely. The Sea of Decay is ever-spreading - engulfing and ultimately destroying entire countries with its presence. The final piece of the puzzle in completing the world of Nausicaä would be the countries and the culture which fills them. Countries such as the militaristic empire of Torumekia, the industrial city of Pejitei, and the home of the Valley of the Wind - Periphery. Each country has its own unique morals, values and cultures. Each one is vastly different from the last. The world of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is a magical display of astronomical ambition. As a character, it is a flawless display of how nature and setting can be used to immerse a spectator and tell a story just as effectively as a speaking protagonist could. The world is fully realised - having been defined by Miyazaki over the course of many years in Animage Magazine. The vision of ancient history, culture and life is mesmerising. Watching Nausicaä is like watching a piece of unseen ancient art or rolling out a newly discovered scroll from years before the events of the film. The world takes the stage in this film - the outlines of the characters are placed more so on their backgrounds as opposed to lighting up around them. It's as if Miyazaki is showing us the overbearing influence The Sea of Decay has over life; like the characters can't help but give in to the decay which surrounds them.

Nausicaä herself is an admirable protagonist. She’s compassionate, daring, valiant and has a profound link to the nature which surrounds her - connecting her to every aspect of the vast world she so boldly protects. She is able to find beauty in any and all aspects of life and turns her back on no single being. From the fox squirrel, Teto, to the suffering baby Ohm - Nausicaä is willing to provide help, safety, comfort and even a home to the fantastical creatures of her world. Whilst being compassionate on one side, Nausicaä has an impressive fighting ability to show when the time comes. Whether that’s tackling dozens of unrelenting Torumekian guards or acting as a guide for soldiers lost within the frenzied explosions and lead-filled chaos of a drastic air battle - Nausicaä is able to hold her own in almost any combat situation.

Nausicaä has Teto, Miyazaki has legendary composer Joe Hisaishi to act as the perfect companion. Hisaishi has also crafted the perfect companion for this film through his truly magnificent score. Hisaishi explores and experiments with synths, jazz and truly transcendent orchestration to create an unforgettable score. A score which is an experience in itself.

The film concludes with a gorgeous end scene, yet one that doesn’t feel all too satisfying. Miyazaki attempts to wrap the film up in a slightly malformed moral package - fitting too many messages and emotions into one box, thus leading to something which just feels unnecessary and emotionally convoluted. However, that isn’t to say that Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind isn’t an impressive opening to the expansive universe of Studio Ghibli.