Old Note: The Films of Hayao Miyazaki

I thought a nice kick off to a movie based blog would be an old note I wrote on Facebook concerning many movies in one. Here in it's original format, my analysis on the films of Hayao Miyazaki:


April 21, 2008

Tonight my roommates and I completed our Miyazaki marathon. Having now seen all of his movies I decided to rank all his films. All of them are highly imaginative and wondrous journeys to new worlds. None of them are bad, and it is impressive to, today, go through even a talented directors work and not find a weak film. All of Miyazaki's work is at least good, if not great.

The ranking from least impressive (worst is such a harsh word for something decent) to best:

My Neighbor Totoro

Totoro and his crazy Cat-bus!

The story seems a little disjointed, and unlike his other films (besides Kiki's Delivery service), there is no good and evil. the story comes from the interaction between Totoro and the young girls, but for lengths at time Totoro is not present so you wonder where the plot is going. However, it is still endearing, and a kid would love it. To be honest, this film may be interesting to watch while high on some drug because it really takes advantage of animation by being able to do whatever. There is a bus that is a cat, and Totoro always has this vacant expression and creepy grin. It is quite hysterical.
Grade: 3.5/5


Castle in the Sky

The last robot of Laputa gives a flower to our heroes.

This film was the first in our marathon and it was a great start. The opening sequence is one of the best in all of his work. The pirates attack on Mark Hamill's air ship is very exciting. Speaking Mark Hamill, what a great voice actor, I can't hear Luke Skywalker at all. Laputa is a very interesting concept, and while I wasn't super thrilled with it being replaced by a tree, or the technology heavy core, I realize all the robots and technology are integral to the story. Miyazaki was the right person for this film, a ancient colony in the sky. After a few films you discover Miyazaki loves the theme of flight.
Grade 4/5


Kiki's Delivery Service

Look! Miyazaki doing a film about a FLYING witch! Who would of guessed?

The first half was amazing. It stared to lose steam once the cat, Jiji, left to hang out with the other cat. His commentary on what Kiki was doing was so charming. This is the other film without a good vs. evil theme but the film doesn't suffer from that at all. This film was very pleasant, like a walk in the park. Not every film needs a heavy profound conflict. This films sweetness is it's strength. When I first heard of this film, my doubts were quite large. Just the title itself was worrisome. Are you serious? Kiki's Delivery Service? No film ever sounded more directly aimed at kids and only kids. I am sorry I had those doubts for this film is enjoyable for all ages, a wholesome family film.
Grade 4/5


Porco Rosso

Fio and Porco Rosso (translation: Crimson Pig)

I looked past the fact that they never explained how he turned into a pig, although that information would of been some nice back story, and this film is great. It would of been amazing if not for the abrupt ending. It just ends. There is the final fight and then Fio comes in on the voiceover and explains what happens to every character...except Porco! It makes no sense! I don't understand the decision of giving every character closure except the protagonist. Beyond that "small problem", the film is a delight and the character of Fio is so easy to fall in love with. Again, Miyazaki is at home with this film and its emphasis on his love of flying.
Grade 4/5


Princess Mononoke

Ashitaka at the beginning of the film.

A lot of people have this as their favorite but I am not as crazy about it as everyone else. It is still quite a good film. The animation is amazing, and the way the boars are drawn is captivating. What makes this, for me, just as good as many other films of his, and not the exceptional one- is the Forest Spirit. I never really understood his changing and evolving. It raised a lot of questions that were never answered for me. Beyond that, the animation team is at it's peak and another compliment is how deep all the characters are written. While a lot of conflict is going on, and the good vs. evil theme is present, it is not as prevalent as it usually is. normally you can pin the evil side in a character or force. No one character here can be labeled evil. Lady Eboshi wants to kill the Forest Spirit, but she is a caring lady who helps lepers. San wants to kill Eboshi but wants to save the forest. every character has more than one side.
Grade 4/5


Spirited Away

Sen and NoFace on a train in the spirit world.

One of the great things about Spirited Away is how jumps right into the story. We enter the spirit world just a few minutes into the film. A few characters, are bit confusing on how they easily change from a mean person into a kind and caring person, especially the witch in the swamp, but I guess that happens in the real world too. The rest of the discrepancies can be thrown out by the easy and effective answer of "It's a magical world." and it's true, this film is magical. Even though they may change, people change too. All these characters are so original and the character design has never been better. The animation is mind blowing and nothing is predictable.
Grade 4/5


Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

Nausicaa in blue at the end of the film.

Joe Hisaishi, the composer for all of Miyazaki's films, is at his best here, with a musical score that you can repeatedly listen to. This is actually one of Miyazaki's first films and it remains one of his best. The world is so expansive, but all of it is well detailed and explained so we are never lost. We feel like we live in that world too because we understand it so well. Another remarkable thing about this film is that it doesn't follow conventional plot structure. Just when you think you know what will happen next, something else happens instead. Just when you think everything will be conveniently resolved, Miyazaki's story raises the stakes. Near the end you are actually anxious because so much has gone wrong, you don't think there is enough time left on the film to resolve everything. I won't ruin it for you, just know that this is a must-see film.
Grade 4.5/5


Howl's Moving Castle

Howl's Moving Castle

The first Miyazaki film I ever saw is my favorite. The first time I saw the clouds part and saw the castle in the distance at the beginning of the movie I was instantly hooked. I knew I was in for something special. The film had my attention the whole time and was never disappointed. Every character is dynamic. Their desires and ambitions make them multi-dimensional and nobody is flat where you can sum them up in a word. For example you can't just look at the witch of the Waste and call her evil. It is so much more complex than that. Also, the voice acting is at it's best here. Billy Crystal is perfect as Calcifer. Every line of his is entertaining. Christian Bale is a treat as well.
Grade 4.5/5