Review of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
1984's Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is often regarded as Studio Ghibli's first-ever film, but it wasn't! It released just a year before the studio's foundation. Produced by Topcraft, it featured the talents of Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Toshio Suzuki--- all of whom would go on to found Ghibli shortly after the film's release. I haven't seen a good Ghibli flick in a while and Nausicaä looked like something I might enjoy. So, did it deliver? STORY - After a tragic calamity destroyed the world 1000 years ago, humans live in a ravaged land as dominated by deadly inscets known as "Ohms" andstruggle to get by. Nausicaä, a princess of the wind kingdom, explores the world using her sky-glider while yearning for peace between humans and the ohms. When her home is invaded by a neighboring kingdom, she must fight to protect it while discovering her destiny.
Other than the invading Empire of Tolmekia, the main "villain" of the film is nature and how humanity has wrong it by endless pollution and war. The Ohms and gigantic warriors serve as avatars for its wrath, which made for complelling viewing. Action was few and far between given the film's an adventure first, with the focus being on exploring the world's hidden secrets. Themes of anti-war and environmentalisim are prevelant and while they are important to discuss, they were pretty predictable in how they're delivered.
CHARACTERS - The titular Nausicaä was a great lead as her kind nature to both friend and enemy made her instantly likeable. Her tendency to always run about and explore or aid those in need was an equally compelling traits of her as well. Side characters like the master swordsman Lord Yupa, wise old lady Obaba, and Nausicaä's loyal friend Mito were all likeable characters too.
The more prominent ones were Nausicaä's adorable pet Teto and newfound pal Aspen, who gave the film an extra layer of charm. Warrior Princess Kushana may be a one-dimensional villain whose foucsed on uniting all kingdoms under her nations rule, but I did enjoy her exchanges with Nausicaa and the Valley people as she slowly started to open-up to their views.
PRESENTATION - Despite being 40-years-old, the film still surprised me with many of its awe-inspiring sceneries like the lush-but-deadly forest in the opening and Nausicaä's home of the wind valley. The sky shots when Nausicaä takes flight and night-time scenes were also amazing as well. The character designs are what we would later come to expect from Ghibli with Tolmekian army's armor looking pretty neat. The standout were the Ohm designs, which were disturbing and detailed-- at times even eerie when their eyes glow into a bloodshot red when angered.
Nausicaä marked the first time composer Joe Hisaishi collaborated with Miyazaki and his score is packed pleasant and soothing tracks that compliemented the wondrous nature of the story well. However, I would have liked to hear more of it since many scenes were filled with "dead air" and music would've helped embellished them. The entire soundtrack's length is only 40 mins, so more tracks were definietly needed. The voicework (English) was great with the highlight being Patrick Stewart as Lord Yupa.
OVERALL - I enjoyed Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind a lot thanks to its dazzling visuals and impactful tale of coexisting with nature. While it's technically not a Ghibli film, Nausicaä comes as a solid recommendation for fans of Miyazaki and company's work.