Watch Castle in the Sky

Castle in the Sky, directed by legendary anime filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, is a timeless classic of the medium. Released in 1986, this film follows the adventures of a young girl named Sheeta and a boy named Pazu as they travel across fantastical lands in search of an ancient castle hidden in the clouds. The story begins with Sheeta, a princess from a kingdom long thought to be extinct, being kidnapped by a group of air pirates who believe she has the key to the lost castle. In the chaos of her escape, Sheeta finds herself falling from the sky, only to be rescued by Pazu, a boy who dreams of finding the castle himself.

As the two children journey together, they encounter a number of strange and wonderful characters, including a government agent named Muska who is also searching for the castle, and Laputan robots left over from a time long past. Throughout their travels, they face danger and betrayal, but also uncover the secrets of the castle and the kingdom it once belonged to.

At the heart of Castle in the Sky is a focus on environmentalism and the importance of preserving the natural world. The castle at the center of the story was built by a civilization that lived in harmony with nature, and the destruction of their way of life has led to disastrous consequences. Miyazaki weaves this theme into the narrative seamlessly, making it as integral to the story as the characters themselves.

The animation in Castle in the Sky is stunning, with intricate attention to detail and a sense of whimsy that is characteristic of all of Miyazaki's work. The landscapes are breathtaking, from the bustling cities to the lush forests to the cloud kingdom itself. Every frame is filled with intricate designs and rich colors, creating a world that is at once both fantastical and believable.

The voice acting is also top-notch, with Mayumi Tanaka and Keiko Yokozawa bringing life to Sheeta and Pazu, respectively. Their chemistry is palpable, and their journey feels all the more real because of it. Kotoe Hatsui also delivers a standout performance as Dola, the leader of the air pirates, adding a level of humor and levity to the story.

Castle in the Sky is a film that manages to be both thrilling and heartwarming, with a sense of nostalgia that is impossible to ignore. Miyazaki's love for aviation is evident throughout the film, and the sense of adventure and wonder he imbues in the story is contagious. It is a film that has earned its place among the pantheon of great anime films, and continues to be beloved by audiences of all ages.

Castle in the Sky is a 1986 adventure movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 5 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.0 and a MetaScore of 78.