Castle in the Sky (1986)

Castle in the Sky (1986) Poster
Laputa, Castle in the Sky

Japanese title: 天空の城ラピュタ 

(Tenkū no Shiro Rapyuta)

Comments on Movie: Castle in the Sky (1986)

"Castle in the Sky is an...uplifting experience. It's the perfect place to view where Miyazaki has been and where he intends to go." - Bill Gibron, PopMatters.

"This movie as whole is the perfect example of Miyazaki’s philosophy: animation is not a goal, it is a means to tell his stories." - Arjan Welles.

"Some of the action verges on the cartoonish, but Miyazaki's extraordinary realism in dealing with his characters is already evident in this fun adventure story." - Jurgen Fauth, About.com

"Something for the little ones that you might even check out along with them." - James O'Ehley, Sci-Fi Movie Page

"Whether it is a floating castle, a giant airship, a fall through a cave or an overdone comedic fight, the animation shines in every way possible ... Last, but certainly not least, the score supplied by Joe Hisiashi is a perfect complement to what is happening on screen. It matches the emotion of the characters and the viewer at every turn, whether it is a sad moment or one of exhilaration." - Bill Thompson.

"Steampunk, sky fantasy film with rich mythology in it. There are plenty of things that don't make sense but well, good, creative stuffs usually don't make sense!" - Rosalyn Lim.

Genre/Tags 

Anime Adventure Family Fantasy Steampunk Hayao Miyazaki 2D Animation Animated Feature

Castle in the Sky (1986) Trailer

Castle in the Sky (1986) at a glance

Castle in the Sky (1986) is a fantasy adventure film by Hayao Miyazaki, the second film based on his own manga of the same name. This film is the first film produced and released by Studio Ghibli and it has been ranked among the best animation films of all time.

Castle in the Sky (1986) Synopsis

Pazu, an engineer's apprentice, finds a young girl, Sheeta, floating down from the sky, and discovers they are both searching for a legendary floating castle, Laputa. Together, they embark on a daring quest and encounter greedy pirates, secret agents and astounding obstacles that keep them from the truth - and from each other.

21-in-1 Update: 

Read All Studio Ghibli Movie Review Here!

Movie Review: Castle in the Sky (1986)

Altogether, Castle in the Sky (1986) is a steampunk, sky fantasy film with rich mythology in it. It has excellent art, great music, beautiful hand-drawn animation with plenty of locations that standout such as the aetherium mine/cave, steam powered town, and certainly, all the locations in the floating island Laputa itself.

Aetherium mine

Indeed, this film scores high in the story and artistic department but there are not much creative outfits, mostly simple designs for most of the characters. There are also plenty of things that don't make sense. A child building and operating an airship? He must be a prodigy. Gun shots cutting off ponytails and did not leave the child deaf or affected in any way? She must be really strong. I guess these are acceptable for 1980s films but well, good, creative stuffs usually don't make sense!

Laputan robot gives Sheeta a flower.

Nonetheless, the film is sweet, interesting and comedic at times, keeps me glued to the screen. It is also super delightful to see those yellow fox-squirrel from Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) again, they are so adorable! In brief, you'll most likely enjoy this film if you like steampunk fantasy!

Movie Ratings
Will write a page regarding this and add this to all animated feature entries in the future.

Who will like this?

Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli fans! However, there are several violent scenes in this film which involves human lives, gunshots and property damages so parental advisory may be needed for minor audiences.

PS. Love the film concept but I just don't like the ending. I find it very impulsive to destroy your ancestor's memento and artifacts (not just any memento, a whole world with nature and beings in it) because one of your relative is evil. Why not just dispose him instead of casting balse! -.- (I must clarify that I do not like violence but there are already plenty of violence in this film and most of the "bad guys" are already destined to die in this film anyway, so why not?)

Details of the movie
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Producer: Isao Takahata
Story: Hayao Miyazaki
Screenplay: Hayao Miyazaki
Cinematography: Hirokata Takahashi
Music: Joe Hisaishi
Studio: Studio Ghibli
Starring: Keiko Yokozawa, Mayumi Tanaka, Kotoe Hatsui, Minori Terada
Full Credit: [IMDb]
Distributor: Toei Company, Disney
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese, English
Genre: Adventure Anime Family Fantasy
Running time: 124 mins
Budget: Not sure
Box office: Not sure

Official website(s)
http://www.ghibli.jp/
https://movies.disney.com/castle-in-the-sky

Related
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
Kiki's Delivery Service (1989)
Porco Rosso (1992)
Princess Mononoke (1997)
Spirited Away (2001)
Howl's Moving Castle (2004)
Ponyo (2008)
The Wind Rises (2013)
Studio Ghibli
Rosalyn's Animated Movie Marathon

Castle in the Sky (1986) Behind the Scenes
N/A

Favorite Movie Character

Perhaps Dola because she has leadership qualities.... At first I wanted to choose Pazu as my favorite character as he is good-natured and selfless but as the film progresses, his relationship with Sheeta (Lusheeta Toel Ul Laputa) seems like turning into lovers, or at least hints of them developing feelings for each other (they look like can't live without each other) and they both certainly looks like under 12 years old children .... which turns me off so badly. :/

Castle in the Sky (1986) Movie Quotes

These are some of what I've heard from watching the English version distributed by Disney. Typed with my iphone ><

1. Ladies and gentlemen, don't move.
2. Call me captain
3. Yes mom
4. Go ahead and feed them, don't be shy. These guys are really happy that we have a visitor
5. Thank goodness, you laugh like a regular person. The way you fall from the sky I thought you were an angel or something.
6. My grandma gave it to me, it has been in our family for generations.
7. Maybe i have the wrong idea about this necklace.
8. Are you hurt?
9. My head is so hard that you can use it as a cannon ball
10. Laputa, floating island
11. Most people thinks that it is a legend but my dad actually saw it
12. It's the only picture he able to take
13. Dad kept a journal and he made all sorts of drawings about it
14. Nobody believed him and called him a liar
15. I am going to prove that my dad is no liar, sheeta. As soon as i am done building this plane, i am going to take off and find laputa myself. 
16. Ladies and gentlemen, keep your eyes on the buttons. 
17. I am not mending that, you know.
18. Lame brain, they made an escape.
19. I dont think they like you boys
20. See this is like the first time i saw you.
21. I guess your necklace come alive whenever you are in trouble
22. My friends are all miners, they can take care of themselves, i won't worry them if i were you
23. When my mother and father died, I was all alone. The only thing that kept me going was the farm and taking care of my animals
24. It's been in my family as long as i could remember. Mother gave it to me before she died. And she told me never to show it or give it away to anyone. 
25. Well, We orphans should stick together. Dont you think?
26. Are you kidding? This is the most exciting thing ever happen to me. I wouldnt miss an adventure like this for anything in the world.
27. I cant see you clearly yet goblin but you sound like pazu. And if these old eyes dont deceive me, there is a she-goblin with you.
28. All of these rocks are my friend. They often talk to me. 
29. The earth speaks to all. 
30. They use etherium to make Laputa float in the sky.
31. That crystal is extremely powerful but the power rightfully belongs to the earth, from which you gain..
32. Use it for selfish reasons will bring great unhappiness
33. Your crystal reminds us that we come from earth and to the earth we must return.
34. Be very careful.
35. Dont worry, your friend is being treated like a guest of a royalty
36. You are the legitimate heir to the throne of laputa, princess lusheeta.
37. Here, take this. To show our lil appreciation of your efforts.
38. You are just a scared lil boy who runs away. 
39. He who turns and runs away can steal the treasure another day
40. Dont you think it is strange that the army is getting into the kidnapping business?
41. Do you think they will keep her alive? Dont you see they force her to keep a deal?
42. Mummy, you amaze me. How did you know these things?
43. You cant be a sensitive woman like me without learning to feel things. Sheeta and i so much alike. All warm, mushy and sensitive. Now when you boys get married, you go find a girl like her.
44. Ready for what might happen?
45. Leete Latobarita Uruth Ariaroth Bal Netoreel.
46. Save me and revive the eternal light
47. Stop yelling at me, I can hear you. Believe it, sometimes I wish I couldnt
48. Now you have to start dressing like a pirate
49. You blubber heads are not in a luxury cruise, now get to work!
50. Hi is there anything I could do?
51. Wow, you can see forever.
52. But captain, you're a girl!
53. If there is one thing I cant stand, its a quitter!
54. They must be the protectors of the garden?
55. They keep on guarding the place even long after the people are gone
56. The boy has become a man
57. You and i have the same royal ancestor, we are both of noble blood, but then our ancestor left laputa to live on earth.
58. We are to celebrate the rebirth of laputan kingdom
59. A king without compassion does not deserve a kingdom.
60. You will die here with me together
61. No matter how many weapons you have, no matter how great your technology is, the world cannot live without love.
62. Whisper the spell in my ears
63. Balse!! (Barusu バルス)
64. They used the spell of destruction
65. We protected the tree and now the tree protects us
66. Not it's not (great). My poor little ship is gone forever
67. Stop with the crying you big baby. I'll get you another ship.
68. Now How did they get inside my blouse.
69. All good pirates listen to their mom.

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