Castle in the Sky (1986)

I've liked Miyazaki films for 25 years now, and the ones I always tend to think about are My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, Kiki's Delivery Service, and Ponyo. There's nothing wrong with Castle in the Sky, or any of the other Miyazaki films, but I just don't think about them as much. In fact, it's been quite a while since I've seen this one, and after re-watching it, I'm still thinking that this is pretty good, but in terms of Miyazaki good, just below top tier.

I noticed that some reviewers had an issue with Captain Mom's pirate sons. They're all probably in their 30s, but they all -- jokingly or not -- have a crush on Sheeta. Well, I don't think the kitchen scene is meant to be taken all that seriously, but the pirates are mentally closer to Sheeta's age than their "biological" age. This is a very asexual movie.

Anyway, the pirates are interested in finding the lost island for the treasure. The military and the main bad guy want to find the lost island for its strategic military power, and Pazu wants to find the lost island just to prove that his father was right, that the island in the sky really exists.

Eventually, everyone does converge on the island, and the battle over control ensues. In the end, the island remains just out of reach, but I guess Pazu is the one who most gets what he wants. Captain Mom and her pirates do manage to secure a few trinkets as well.

What about Sheeta? Maybe she gets something, too -- to live her life, without worrying about anyone trying to kidnap her. The ending feels like a balance has been returned to the natural order, but the island and its big crystal are still up in the sky somewhere. Won't someone from the military or government want to take another crack at controlling it?

Rating: 4/5 stars

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