Wed 5 Mar 2008
While it doesn’t quite stand up to films like SPIRITED AWAY or PRINCESS MONONOKE, this film, like many of Hayao Miyazaki’s projects, never fails to captivate. With the typical astounding animation and three-dimansional characters, this film revolves around a young girl names Sheeta (voiced with strength and innocence by Academy Award winner Anna Paquin,) a young girl who may be the heir to the throne of Laputa, the flying island seen in Jonathan Swift’s GULLIVER’S TRAVELS. Unfortunately, this makes her the target of the power-hungry General Muska (played as an over-the-top Mark Hamill.) After escaping from his clutches, she teams up with a young miner (James Van Der Beek) who is intent on clearing the good name of his father, who was labeled a loony after telling people of his encounter with Laputa, and a family of pirates led by Dola (a comic relief part voiced by Cloris Leachman.) Together, they must defend this island from Muska, who is intent on turning Laputa into a flying W.M.D.
Again, this does not come close to some of Miyazaki’s works, but it stands on its own in any case. The casting, with the possible exception of Van Der Beek, works quite well. I especially enjoyed Leachman, who chews every last bit of scenery she can as the pirate Dola. The story flows quite well, with messages of love, environmentalism, and, ultimately, sacrifice for the greater good.
