Laputa: Castle in the Sky (1986)

Laputa: Castle in the Sky (1986)

 8/10

Starring the voices of

Mayumi Tanaka

Keiko Yokozawa

Kotoe Hatsui

Minori Terada

Directed by Hayao Miyazaki

 

Laputa: Castle in the Sky is a beautiful animation with a deep story that has enough twists and turns to keep you glued to the adventure without losing pace. The story is rich and colorful, with brilliant takes on relationships and dedication. I have to commend Hayao Miyazaki, who both wrote and directed the film, because not only is it well-written, but his directorial prowess shines through. This is especially evident in two pivotal moments: the rescue of Sheeta from Dola and the army, and the later rescue of Sheeta from the army after she and Pazu join Dola’s crew. These two incidents show masterclass in writing, championed by awesome direction for them to standout in your mind.

For me, this anime is one of the best things to watch. Its influence is clear in many subsequent anime, video games, and even cartoons. It’s a true classic, largely because of how the drama seamlessly weaves through the fantasy, creating a one-of-a-kind adventure.

The movie begins with pirates attacking an airship carrying a young lady named Sheeta. At first, it seems like a rescue attempt, but as the pirates’ actions unfold, it becomes clear that this is actually a kidnapping attempt. Meanwhile, Sheeta’s behavior hints that she’s being held against her will on the airship.

Sheeta manages to escape from her initial captors and the would-be kidnappers, only to fall from the sky—into the arms of a boy named Pazu, who lives in a mining town. Pazu is astonished by Sheeta’s miraculous fall and soon realizes that her necklace was what saved her, not his efforts. Before long, the town is attacked by the pirates and the army, both searching for Sheeta. Pazu and Sheeta manage to escape together with the help of her necklace, descending into a mining shaft.

From this point, the animation picks up speed. Sheeta is eventually captured by the army, prompting Pazu to team up with the pirates to save her.

The animation maintains a steady pace, with action and developments happening constantly, never dropping off or losing momentum. It is a memorable ride, and it is one that you will want to see again after it is completed to be able to feel the joy of the world again.

A critical commercial hit for Studio Ghibli, Laputa: Castle in the Sky is an animation you can enjoy with your children—especially older ones who can fully appreciate the rich fantasy.