While the film's epic tone is sometimes broken up by some 'cartoonish' moments, like a brawl between Pazu's boss and one of Dola's sons, it's never to the point that it detracts from the film. Castle in the Sky, on the other hand, remains consistently entertaining and focused for its two hour running time, and is all the better for it.

Nadia, although charming for the most part, suffered from taking a wrong turn at its midway point, devolving into cartoonish nonsense which all but distracted from the main plot, even though it did have a strong ending. not to mention that they were both created by Miyazaki himself. After all, both works share similar story and character elements. Muska is one of the few Miyazaki creations to ever come across as an irredeemable villain, but like Dola, he commands every scene he's in with a sinister charisma that is both alluring and chilly.Īnime fans have often compared this movie to Gainax's sci-fi adventure series Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water. Dola, in particular, makes for a terrific comic character, shouting orders to her dimwitted sons one moment and being protective of Sheeta the next. And while the characters that populate this tale are less complex than Miyazaki's other works, each has a memorable, endearing personality that stays with the viewer long after the film is over. The artwork, although not as spectacular as in some of Miyazaki's later movies, is fantastic and gorgeous enough to watch with imaginative characters and locations, incredibly exciting action scenes, and breathtaking flight sequences that will make one feel giddy. They are aided by a band of bumbling yet sympathetic air pirates led by the feisty Dola (who at first chase them, yet turn out to be true allies) and pursued by the government headed by its villainous topmost-secret agent, Muska, who wants the power of Laputa for his own benefit.įor anyone looking for an exciting way to spend two hours, this film is an excellent choice, featuring just the right amount of humor, exploration, wonder, and mystery to keep one interested. Up to find the long-lost island of Laputa, which is rumored to have great riches and gems. Inspired by Jonathan Swift's 'Gulliver's Travels', Castle in the Sky is a steampunk-themed action adventure tale about two young orphans - young miner Pazu, and mysterious girl Sheeta (who wears a magic crystal around her neck) - who team Initially a box office disappointment in its 1986 release, it has since been embraced by critics and audiences around the world. Retitled from its original Japanese name of Laputa (for being an offensive phrase, something which director Hayao Miyazaki was oblivious to at the time), Castle in the Sky is the master animator's third film, and it's one of his most beloved of all time.

Castle in the sky (1986)