Tag Archives: Studio Ghibli

Howl’s Moving Castle

Howl's Moving Castle

Sophie, a quiet girl working in a hat shop, finds her life thrown into turmoil when she is literally swept off her feet by a handsome but mysterious wizard named Howl. The vain and vengeful Witch of the Waste, jealous of their friendship, puts a spell on Sophie. In a life-changing adventure, Sophie climbs aboard Howl’s magnificent flying castle and enters a magical world on a quest to break the spell.

Studio Ghibli’s quality of animation is top notch in this film. Throughout, Sophie gradually morphs between her true self and a bent grandmother. The story is enjoyable and full of rich details. The characters are likable, strong willed (in the case of Sophie) and multi-dimensional. Even the villain has a soft side and isn’t totally evil. Ghibli makes films for both adults and children to enjoy. Howl’s Moving Castle ...

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Princess Mononoke

Princess Mononoke

Even gods now fear the encroachment of man. Princess Mononoke opens with Ashitaka, the last Emishi prince, returning home only to encounter a boar turned demon. He confronts the boar to protect his village and is infected with the same disease that turned the boar into a demon. The village elders force him to leave the village and seek the only possible cure in the west. The curse gives Ashitaka uncontrollable strength, but at a cost. He travels to the town of Iron Works where along the way he encounters a monk that provides him with a possible lead. In the forest there are gods and spirits who may be able to heal his wounds.

Ashitaki’s next step places him on the game board as a pawn to be used against the mysterious Princess Mononoke and the gods that live in ...

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Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind

Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind

One thousand years after a war devastated much of the Earth, humanity clings to existence at the fringes of a vast, polluted forest inhabited by monstrous insects. Only Nausicaä, the princess of the tiny realm of the Valley of the Wind, grasps the environmental significance of the forest. She sees beyond petty wars and national rivalries to the only viable future for the planet.

Hayao Miyazaki’s work examines how asinine human conflict can become when it more effective to be cooperative. Animated with Studio Ghibli’s beautiful liveliness, Nausicaa lives in a peaceful valley that comes alive on screen. However, quickly the other kingdoms of humanity express their jealousy at this peace and abundance. Those kingdoms seek to take the valley for themselves and stir up the consequences of conflict.

Nausicaa wraps together Miyazaki’s favorite themes of environmentalism and anti-war. He speaks through Nausicaa, but in the movie the message falls on deaf ...

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