My Cultural Diet

Flight has long been one of Hayao Miyazaki’s passions, as evidenced by films like Porco Rosso and The Wind Rises, as well as various sequences in Kiki’s Delivery Service and even My Neighbor Totoro. But Castle in the Sky — which was Studio Ghibli’s first feature film — is Miyazaki’s purest flight of fancy, featuring two plucky youngsters whose search for the mysterious floating city of Laputa brings them into conflict with sky pirates, greedy generals, and shady government agents. Castle in the Sky contains some of Miyazaki’s most delightful and imaginative settings: the cliffside mining town that young Pazu calls home, Uncle Pom’s underground haunts, the sky pirate’s clattering airship, and above them all (npi), Laputa, with its ancient ruins and waterworks, lush gardens, and arcane technology. Being a Miyazaki film, Castle in the Sky contains some expected themes (e.g., the corrupting influence of power, the need to respect nature), but balances them with pirate hijinks, a steampunk vibe, and some thrilling aerial sequences. This year marks the film’s 40th anniversary, and seeing it in the theater reaffirmed that it’s one of Miyazaki’s purest and most enjoyable crowdpleasers.

I may earn an affiliate commission on items you buy through Opus. These commissions will go directly to support the site and my blogging.