Release Date (UK Blu-Ray) – 9th May 2011
Certificate (UK) – PG
Country – Japan
Runtime – 124 mins
Director – Hayao Miyazaki
Starring – James Van Der Beek, Anna Paquin, Mark Hamill, Cloris Leachman
Soon to be launched in Blu-Ray for the very first time, Laputa: Castle in the Sky was the first feature film from the now legendary Studio Ghibli — the creators of animated classics Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle. Its new double-play Blu-Ray version includes short documentaries, storyboards, original Japanese theatrical trailers, textless credits and a promotional video. As with its 2003 DVD release Castle in the Sky also features retrospectively-added voice acting talent including the likes of James Van Der Beek, Anna Paquin and Mark Hamill.
Directed by master film-maker Hayao Miyazaki Castle in the Sky follows the adventures of Pazu, an engineer’s apprentice, and a girl called Sheeta, who Pazu discovers after she has floated down from the sky wearing a glowing pendant. They soon realise they are both searching for the legendary floating city of Laputa, and vow to not only find the floating city, but also uncover the mystery of Sheeta’s strange glowing pendant. As their adventure unfolds, and Sheeta discovers the truth about her past, the two friends must face off against sky pirates, secret agents and an evil army intent on finding Laputa and unlocking its power.
The first thing to say about Castle in the Sky, is that it really is a work of art. Miyazaki’s reputation as a master animator and director is well-deserved, and for a film first released in 1986 Castle in the Sky still looks fresh, and greatly benefits from its crisp new Blu-Ray form. While traditionalists will doubtless choose to watch the film in its original non-dubbed form, the recent addition of a modern voice acting cast really does the film a lot of credit. It is testament to the power and drama of Castle in the Sky that at no point did I find myself distracted by the English voice acting that for me sat perfectly within the film’s overall form.
A big criticism that’s often levelled at animated films from Asia is that they very often appeal to a very specific, niche market of film-goers. While this argument may certainly apply in a number of notable cases, one of the great strengths of Castle in the Sky is just how accessible it is. While the film is in no way as controversial or ground-breaking as the award-winning Spirited Away, it is at the same time, far more accessible to someone new to the genre and the Studio Ghibli style.
Drawing its inspiration from the likes of Jonathan Swift and Jules Verne Castle in the Sky is an undoubted escapist masterpiece. Unfettered by the conventions of Western society, this film is in its own way just as ground-breaking as Spirited Away for the precedent it sets as the first full feature film of the Studio Ghibli stable. Whether you are a fan of Miyazaki’s work, or haven’t seen a single Ghibli film in your life, I highly recommend this Blu-Ray release as a fine addition to anyone’s collection.
Laputa: Castle in the Sky is out on Double Play on 9th May – you can order it here
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