CASTLE IN THE SKY is a very imaginative movie from Hayao Miyazaki, the Japanese version of Walt Disney.    The movie took a little while to be a success since an ordinary guy or boy doesn’t connect immediately with a Japanese audience.  CASTLE IN THE SKY has to be one of my favorites by Miyazak since I watched it.  I’m always discovering films of his that I never watched.  The English voice actors add accessibility to the film since many Miyazaki films to me don’t sound as good in Japanese.  The English voice cast has been chosen fantastically by Disney and Pixar for the Miyazaki films.  CASTLE IN THE SKY blends the wonder you see in old Disney animated films with the Japanese storytelling style. 

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Disc two has the majority of the extras.

BEHIND THE STUDIO features several featurettes that look into the making of CASTLE IN THE SKY and Studio Ghibli itself:

THE WORLD OF LAPUTA

CREATING CASTLE IN THE SKY

CHARACTER SKETCHES

PRODUCER’S PERSPECTIVE: MEETING MIYAZAKI- the producer relates how he met and started collaborating with Miyazaki.

SCORING MIYAZAKI- a look at scoring the films.

BEHIND THE MICORPHONE- behind-the-scenes of the English voice cast recording their lines for CASTLE IN THE SKY.

ENTER THE LANDS gives some info on the various worlds of Studio Ghibli films, but it is only limited to info in the current Studio Ghibli films released as special editions for March 2.   A whole storyboard version of the film is also on disc two.   The only extra on disc one are previews for other Disney releases and an introduction by John Lasseter.

FINAL ANALYSIS:  CASTLE IN THE SKY is an imaginative animated film, an adventure for all ages to enjoy.   Now it is one of my new favorite Miyazak films.

This DVD review is (c)3-1-2010 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission.  Send all comments to lord_pragmagtic@hotmail.com