And for anime fans, the film is by far a more conventional anime experience than Miyazaki's more recent outings. It's still an amazing adventure that will not be forgotten. It's like saying that NORTH BY NORTHWEST isn't as good as REAR WINDOW. I personally feel that it's not nearly as good as PRINCESS MONONOKE or SPIRITED AWAY, but that isn't saying too much of a negative thing. Through the action, Miyazaki creates the awe of flying like no other filmmaker. At times I felt the style was influenced by THE YELLOW SUBMARINE. Of course one of the most clear influences is Jonathan Swift's GULLIVER'S TRAVELS from which the name Laputa comes from. The setting is also worth noting because it’s a mix of early 20th century sensibility with flying ships like ones in STAR WARS. To escape sky pirates who are after her Sheeta leaps from a flying ship and after blacking out floats to earth thanks to he pendant. The small bikes the pirates ride on are propelled with wings like insects. The designs of the airships are totally original. The animation like other Miyazaki films is breathtaking. This makes Pazu and Sheeta's relationship all the more compelling. Miyazaki keeps the romance and comedy light for the first two acts and then slyly weaves in more serious dramatic pull for the final third. Together they discover both are searching. She is spunky and never portrayed as a damsel in distress, but as a partner with Pazu. Pazu, an engineers apprentice finds a young girl, Sheeta floating down from the sky wearing a glowing pendant. Castle in the Sky 1986 7+ 2h 4m Classic Movies In this childrens anime adventure, a young miner and a mysterious girl search for a long-lost island thats rumored to hold great riches. For Pazu, Sheeta is his dream girl who literally falls into his arms. Miyazaki mixes screwball comedy with sc-fi and supports it all with a sweet romance. Along the way, Pazu and Sheeta learn about the legendary floating city of Laputa, an advanced society that once ruled the world. Pazu and Sheeta go on the run trying to avoid the pirates, as well as the military, which is lead by secret agent Muska (Mark Hamill, STAR WARS). His simple life changes when a young girl named Sheeta (Anna Paquin, X-MEN) floats down from the sky after falling from an airship that was attacked by pirates led by the crone-ish Dola (Cloris Leachman, LAST PICTURE SHOW). This film follows a young miner named Pazu (voiced by James Van Der Beek, TV's DAWSON'S CREEK), who dreams of flying.

He creates worlds so original that there is no comparison. As usual, Miyazaki presents a unique imagination that is unmatched in cinema. for the first time after being released in Japan in 1986. This film was recently released in the U.S. If you've read my reviews with any regularity than you know that I love the films of Hayao Miyazaki.

Castle in the sky (1986)