Studio Ghibli pt.1: The Classics (1984 - 1989)

Finally, the long-awaited series is out! At least I was waiting for it. In line with my obsessions with films and trilogies (Asian Auteurs series: pt.1, pt.2, pt.3), I present...

Shyan's Studio Ghibli collection reviews.

No disrepect to Pixar (Disney SUCKS), but the world's top animation studio has been enthralling viewers for the past 20 yrs with beautiful visuals, heartwarming stories, memorable hero / heroines, enchanting music, and the uncanny ability to simply charm audiences. Studio Ghibli is the brainchild of Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, and its history is detailed in the cult fans website - Nausicaa.net. I'll attempt to review all movies that Ghibli has produced, except the newest one released in July '06 (Japan). My review style touches little on the story, just what I felt about it. GHIBLI FOREVER!!

NAUSICAA OF THE VALLEY OF WIND
(Kaze no Tani no Naushika, 1984, Hayao Miyazaki)

The very opening shot of a dodo-like bird, followed by a forest with giant bugs, immediately transports viewers to a magical faraway land. The opening credits exhibit illustrations inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry, brilliant and moving. Based on Miyazaki's own long-running manga (1982-1994!), Nausicaa tells a tale of war and the environment. The land is polluted, forests emit hazardous air, giant bugs are everywhere, all because of the destruction mankind wreaked upon the land during war. Nausicaa is a Joan of Arc-type character, the girl heroine who can manipulate airflow and has a kind heart, so much so that even giant bugs love her. The story is exciting and brilliantly told, albeit the second half of the movie has a very heavy undertone. The animation is outstanding for its time, and Joe Hishaishi marks his first collaboration with Miyazaki, with many more to come. As the credits roll, the subtle message I got was ironic: humans, self-elect king of all creatures, end up being threatened by bugs, because they don't respect the environment and bugs in the first place. The environmentalist message will recur in Mononoke, thank goodness without bugs.

Fave stuff: Nausicaa's secret garden and the 'mehve', a jet glider which some crazy ppl are attempting to build now!
Verdict: War movie interlaced with beautiful forests and kindred spirits, although Nausicaa's abilities seemed quite far-fetched. 9/10


LAPUTA: CASTLE IN THE SKY
(Tenkuu no Shiro Rapyuta, 1986, Hayao Miyazaki)

Treasure hunt, pirates and soldiers, innocent romance and flying objects - sounds like any other cartoon? Only it's NOT. Miyazaki stamps his trademarks in this remarkable animation about ppl getting to the mythical floating island Laputa, each with their own agenda. European-style towns, lush landscapes, hero boy saves cute girl, weird bushy characters, WW-style soldiers, girl cleaning dirty rooms - all Miyazaki themes are present. This was the first film that really got me into Ghibli, previously having only watched Spirited Away. The animation is to die for, I really wanted to go to Laputa the first time I saw it. Laputa's main theme was ringing in my ears weeks after I heard it. The film's full of memorable scenes: Pazu playing the trumpet at daybreak, escape from Tedis Fortress, first glimpse of Laputa through the clouds, robot giving Sheeta flowers, and the full-action ending. Brilliance.

Fave stuff: Laputa itself. And the superb score, always ringing in my ears.
Verdict: A formulaic plot injected a dose of Miyazaki magic, sheer fun and adventure. DIE Disney! 10/10

MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO
(Tonari no Totoro, 1988, Hayao Miyazaki)

Right after the white mini totoro appears to May, I just smiled through the next 80 mins. And that's no mean feat. The highly uncharacteristic Ghibli movie (no war!) is the CUTEST movie EVER. The sheer lightness and heartwarming smile reflects the innocence of childhood. Not much happens here, dad moves into a countryside 'haunted house' to get over his mindblock, whilst mum is recovering from sickness in a hospital. The two lil'uns encounter totoros, and everything else later is pure fun. Anything King Totoro does is cute - sleeping, turning while sleeping, opening his eyes abit, opening his eyes big big, opening his mouth to scream, holding a leaf above his head, holding an umbrella... seriously, King Totoro = KAWAI DESU NE. May is also super cute, and the Japanese voice actress should get an Academy Award for her determined naughty kid voice. Oh, and the black moth balls also make their first cameo appearance.

Fave stuff: Would you believe it, Totoro isn't even the cutest thing in the movie! That honour goes to the amazing ten-legged, invisible, swift-as-wind Cat Bus!!!
Verdict: The CUTEST movie EVER, watch anytime to feel good. 10/10


GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES
(Hotaru no Haka, 1988, Isao Takahata)

When Seita screws his face up while having a sour sweet, his bitterness was gone, but only for a flash. When Seita starts dreaming of fighting for his country, reality snaps back at him, at his responsibility to take care of his lil' sis. When Setsuko said, "Why did Mother and fireflies die so fast?", she was also sapped of her will to live. Grave of the Fireflies is a tragic recount of a pair of siblings during WWII in Kobe, Japan (based on a true story). It depicts a life where hope is not allowed to exist because of circumstances. It depicts the degradation of human beaviour in war. It depicts the dependency that comes with responsibility, and how much truth can hurt. It is the ultimate anti-war movie, even more so than Schindler's List. Every shot of animation is painstakingly beautiful, every piece of dialogue essential in capturing the Japanese nationalist of that time. It is all the more tragic that Seita's pride, which eventually led to his death, mirrored the Japanese myopia towards their own actions during WWII.

Fave Stuff: The use of shadowy colours to illustrate night-time events, and the tear-jerking one-minute tribute to Setsuko after her death.
Verdict: One of the BEST movies of ALL-TIME. Period. 11/10

KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE
(Majo no Takkyuubin, 1989, Hayao Miyazaki)

A girl witch leaves home to find a new town, so she can establish herself as a proper witch. Remove the fantasy element, and a lovely tale is unvealed about a young girl's road to independence. In the current age where temporary jobs are in abundance, financial independence does not equal spiritual independence. Striving to know one's identity in this mass of bodies, where even friends are temporary, is reminiscent of us struggling to grow up in today's society. Kiki is only good at one thing - flying, and we follow her journey towards finding her niche, her growing-up. The scenic european-style city has its kindred spirits among the hustle bustle, and the jungle represents the getaway quiet spot we need to hide in once in a while. As usual, artwork is top quality, the beautiful city a combination of Stockholm, Lisbon and Paris. Each character plays an important role in shaping Kiki's character, symbolised in the ending where Gigi the cat could no longer talk. OR rather Kiki could no longer understand Gigi, because she's grown up and discarded her voice of doubt, manifested previously in Gigi.

Fave stuff: Ursula's painting "The Ship Flying over the Rainbow" is magnificent. Anybody ever sees it in large print, pls buy it and I'll hang it in my living room, when I own one.
Verdict: Heartwarming growing up journey, typically captivating Miyazaki feature. 9/10