This is, what, my sixth Miyazaki movie? I went years without covering one, now I’m averaging one per year. Am I getting lazy and leaning on an old standby for content? Possibly. I always feel like I’m cheating a little by picking a Miyazaki movie to review. But they are worth talking about. Miyazaki is a famous anime director for a reason, and is one of my favorites, so it really shouldn’t come as any great surprise.
As far as movies go, Castle in the Sky is pretty good, I enjoy the aesthetics a lot, but it’s not one of Miyazaki’s best. It’s not nearly as memorable or emotionally resonate as Nausicaa, and it’s not as well crafted narratively or character-wise as some of his later works, like Princess Mononoke or Spirited Away. It is a fun ride, though, and sometimes that’s all you really need in this weary world. So I’m happy to have covered it.
