A normal miner boy called Pazu led an ordinary life until he saved a girl who falling from the sky. The mysterious girl, Sheeta, told an amazing story about her family necklace, which the military and the pirates are both chasing for its great power. Pazu decided to help her and on the way, they discover that Sheeta's necklace is connected to the "City in the Sky" Pazu's father had taken a photograph of. Their adventure introduces them to unexpected friends and secrets of Laputa, the castle in the sky.
Written by
syeung321.
Story & Characters
Pazu was just another worker in the mines, helping with the boilers and machinery. He had dreams of building his own
flying machine and following in the steps of his father, an accomplished aviator who one day took a strange photograph
of a floating island, calling it "Laputa." Laputa was known only in myth as a mysterious floating land full of
incredible technology and precious treasures.
Then one day, Pazu notices something falling from the sky. It turns out to be a young girl named Sheeta, and the jewel
around her neck allowed her to float safely to the ground. Before the two could learn more about each other, a group of
pirates appears on Pazu's doorstep, after Sheeta's crystal. It turns out that two groups are after the
crystal: Dola's pirate gang and an aristocrat named Muska who also has the aid of an entire army. While the pirates
just want the crystal because it's treasure, Muska is more interested in the legend of Laputa, and believes Sheeta
and her jewel are the keys to finding it.
Laputa was Miyazaki's film after "Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind" and there are some themes common to
both films. Both films look at technology as a double-edged blade, giving great progress to man but with the potential
of being a great destoyer. In both films, the most powerful (and hence dangerous) technologies are lost, yet mankind
still strives towards them. However, wheras Nausicaa deeply explored ecological themes, Laputa is part light-hearted
adventure romp (as Sheeta and Pazu run from their pursuers, leading to numerous unlikely alliances) and part mystery (as
the secrets of Laputa are slowly revealed.) It is a story suitable for most ages with plenty of plot twists, although
character development is not as solid as in Nausicaa.
Rating: 7
Art
Although Laputa was drawn in the mid80's, there is something to Miyazaki's style that makes it feel much more
timeless. Perhaps because his art style has remained consistent throughout his films it allows it to transcend time.
Colors are bright and vivid, although character costuming is a bit dull (plus, the pirates wear maroon and pink. It
might be because they're ruled by an iron-handed matriarch, but still... pink.)
Where the art excels is in the array of mechanical designs that are used throughout the film. The pirate's
dragonfly ships and their bird-shaped craft, the giant robots, the enormous army fighter ship -- all are inventive and
clever and while quite fantastical, still make enough sense that you can imagine them flying about in the skies
overhead. Laputa itself is also beautifully drawn, from its mist-covered trees to the labyrinth below.
There are very few issues with the art, impressive for a movie nearly 20 years old.
Rating: 8
Sound
The music is by Joe Hisaishi, which is quite standard for Miyazaki films, and he also brings a bit of timelessness to
the film with his stirring orchestral works. His music has a particular style that, if you've seen other Miyazaki
movies, makes them all sort of mesh together in one super-melody. Laputa's music is rather similar to
Nausicaa's music: it has Hisaishi's lovely songs and a couple of really jarring 80's electronica. The
electronica is about the only thing dating the movie, but it's quite startling to hear it every so often.
The vocal work doesn't really stand out, either in Japanese or in English. None of the characters really seemed to
excel in their roles and bring out something special in their characters, which is perhaps the most disappointing aspect
of the film.
Rating: 6
Presentation
Laputa is another Miyazaki classic and its themes of dangerous, lost technologies and the human will to surmount their
challenges remain fresh and true no matter the decade. Although it may seem a bit familiar to anyone who has seen other
Miyazaki films, it has enough originality in its settings, characters and situations to give it some distinguishment.
For newer fans, the focus on adventure, treasure-hunting, running from kidnappers, and discovering a lost land is fun
and amusing and needs little else to make it enjoyable (except perhaps a lack of bad electronica) and I would recommend
it above Nausicaa or Princess Mononoke (although not as highly as I would recommend Spirited Away) to new animation
fans. Although perhaps not as rewatchable as Spirited Away (the thrill of the treasure hunt can only sustain one for so
long before it gets old) it's still a wonderful movie to add to one's collection.
In addition, for anyone who is really interested in doing animation, the Disney release includes full storyboards for
the film (seemingly standard on Disney's releases of Ghibli films) that highlight how the movie was put together.
Rating: 8
Final Verdict
7.3333 (above average)
Reviewed by Tama-Neko, Oct 12, 2005