Japan’s most prestigious animation studio has released two films, one from their vault in Blu-ray and a new entry into the market called Tales of Earthsea. Studio Ghibli, the studio that made the Academy Award winner Spirited Away and the recent kid favorite Ponyo, delivers exciting family friendly films that inspire and entertain.
NAUSICAA OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind was initially released several years ago in the DVD format and gets a makeover with the magic of Blu-ray. The film takes on a more vivid look and makes the presentation of Studio Ghibli’s founder Hayao Miyazaki’s epic masterpiece even more exciting.
The film tells the story of the courageous Princess Nausicaa who in an epic struggle sets out to restore order in a kingdom that has been devastated due to global war. Miyazaki who is the master behind Spirited Away and other animated features dazzles the senses with amazingly different characters and creatures. Mature children as well as adults should be easily caught up in the exciting storyline.
The Blu-ray disc features The World of Ghibli where you can visit Nausicaa’s world in an enchanted interactive experience; Behind the Studio includes an interview with the master Hayao Miyazaki; Enter the Lands explores the many worlds of Studio Ghibli and much more. A special bonus on both the Blu-ray and DVD is The Birth Story of Studio Ghibli featurette.
The film is rated PG, a must see for mature children and a great addition to an animation collection. The film features the voice cast of Uma Thurman (Pulp Fiction, Gattaca) Shia LeBeouf (Tranformers, Surf’s Up) and Patrick Stewart (Gnomeo & Juliet, Bambi II, Chicken Little)
TALES FROM EARTHSEA
A new animated feature from Studio Ghibli and directed by Hayao Miyazaki’s son Goro has been released on DVD. The adventure called Tales From Earthsea is the first directorship for Goro and it shows a lot of influence by his father. The movie is based on the series of fantasy books by Ursula Le Guin.
Set in a fantasy world of magic we follow Arren a prince who is conflicted over a wrongful deed against his father. Arren travels the land where he meets Lord Archmage Sparrowhawk a master wizard who takes the troubled youth under his wing. When the mysterious Cobb tries to destroy Arren over the special sword he carries, an epic battle ensues.
The attention to detail in all of Studio Ghibli is evidenced in this adventure of a troubled youth looking for redemption and self-discovery. I like the feel of the film in this Asian style of 2D animation that’s more story oriented than the computer graphic delivery we get with most USA productions.
The DVD special features include the The World of Studio Ghibli where you can visit the land of Earthsea in an interactive experience. It also contains a trivia challenge an much more.
Tales of Earthsea is rated PG-13 for some violent images. It stars the voice talent of Timothy Dalton (Toy Story 3), Willem Dafoe ( Spider Man) Cheech Marin (Cars, Beverly Hills Chihuahua) and Mariska Hargitay (TV’s Law & Order)