Yes, it’s anime. But Castle in the Sky is anime that was done by Hayao Miyazaki, which means that it’s a) gorgeous and b) perfectly safe to watch with your teenage kids. It’s kind of steampunk, heavy on the derring-do and light on the grimness: the air pirates are all kindly and the zeppelin quasi-German army types can’t shoot worth a dang. If you just want to sit in front of the television for a few hours and watch something made by somebody who really knows how to draw clouds in motion, this is one of the movies you want. I found it refreshing.
I’m not putting on the sidebar because, what the heck: I ACTUALLY did a Movie of the Week less than a week ago? Wow. This really has been a messed-up week for me, huh?
Moe Lane
PS: I am seriously considering just binge-watching more Miyazaki next week. :click click click: Except that he’s not on Netflix or Amazon Video. Man. Well, maybe I can snag some DVDs from one of my players in a couple of weeks.
I enjoyed Porco Rosso. Guess I’ll have to watch me some more Miyazaki.
If you’re looking for more anime that is both gorgeous and perfectly safe to watch with your teenage kids, might I suggest you look into Makoto Shinkai?
.
Seriously, “gorgeous” doesn’t even begin to cover his stuff.
Beautiful, yes, but doesn’t know the cinematic meaning of the word “closure”.
If you can find it, try Hanaharu Naruko’s series “Kamichu”. Love his use of light and shadow in his artwork.
I’m not denying any of what you or Aruges is saying, but the man knows how to draw him some clouds. 🙂
You recommend Kamichu. This means you are a good person.
I own Spirited Away and have seen Howl’s Moving Castle. Been meaning to see more Miyazaki but like you I discovered Netflix and Amazon Prime don’t carry them. (except The Castle of Cagliostro which was ok)
Miyazaki is a genius .. but.
.
I do have to chide you slightly; the pacing in Laputa (the Japanese original) is subtly different from the Disnified “Castle in the Sky” .. I found the Disnified version less satisfying than the subtitled original.
.
Most of Miyazaki-sama’s work is suitable for children, although do please watch it first before putting it on the DVD shelf the kids can reach .. “Grave of the Fireflies” is pretty heavy.
.
Mew
Always beautiful, often poignant, sometimes kind of pointless. I like his less eco preachy stuff much more, but Ponyo and The Secret World of Arrietty were disappointing. Howel’s Moving Castle and Spirited Away being my faves.
For your kids and you, you have got to watch My Neighbor Totoro. Weird, funny, touching. Just watch it. It’s a kids film, but good.
Kiki’s Delivery Service is also good.
Carl
These were the “first hit” served up by my friends that got me into anime.
One of the local TV stations served up the Americanized version of Gatchaman way *way* back .. but I didn’t pick up on just *how much* they edited around until I encountered the Japanese variant later on.
.
Mew