I have since sometime last November
watched all 20 (21 because I include Nausicaä) of Studio Ghibli's feature films, in order. I would
highly recommend that everybody else do so as well.
The is so much I can go on about each
and every film, from the story to the animation or the feel and sheer
presence of them. They are films made with love and care, and I have a
special place for all of them.
Since I didn't blog about films until
the start of the year I will go through each film in turn and give
individual thoughts on it. Granted it have been over 8 months since I
have seen some but they all have a place in me I can draw some
thoughts out.
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
Some of the best world building and
showing of it on film, the first half hour or so is such a nice
introduction into the world and Nausicaa. Here we get established
many of the things that become a core to Ghibli films, a sense of
whimsy and style that shows much and a love for flying.
Castle in the Sky
The robot and a flower stands out in
both memory and its core. It is a film I have forgotten most about
bar that part. The are more flying motifs and a nice relation between
the two mains. The first over the top over designed bad guy who is
short and ugly.
Grave of the Fireflies
Stark and a hard watch. Such a good
look at a time and place that is so far away. Made many years later
but still resonates. One of the most grounded Ghibli works and the
first 'slice of life' film, but it still captures wonder and mystery
of the others but balances it with being very stark.
My Neighbour Totoro
The classic Ghibli film. Its this guy
that comes to mind and became the logo for the studio. Such a warm
hearted film with a fantastic message. It is the first film with a
meandering plot and crazy visuals that add to the feel of the film.
Totoro appears little and its the human struggles that is the main
focus with some nice escapism.
Kiki's Delivery Service
Flying!!! A cute story with a fun
ending action packed ending but it is the look into Kiki's life and
relationships that make the story what it is. A true coming of age
story in a fantastic world of wonders and simple lives.
Only Yesterday
The melding of styles between the two
time periods is wonderfully done. The meandering plot is great and
allows for natural exploration of a fair few topics and themes. The
love story grows naturally and ends fantastical. It feels like
watching a life time and the feel of the film is so melancholic.
Porco Rosso
A funny film in that it could have been
a farce but ended up being fairly poignant and well thought out. The
characters are more like characterchures but the tone fits and the
animation is top notch. Nice English cast as well.
Pom Poko
A film that seems to be more child
focused at first but it had some deeper themes to it and the are some
disturbing images but it is a light hearted tale that again meanders
around some sort of a plot. The are one or two truly magical scenes
but I feel it may just go on a tad too long.
Whisper of the Heart
A school love story with a heart to it.
The is an odd sense of time within the film but you do get to watch
the couple grow together and see the bonds form. It have a few nice
touches that take it a level up other of the type with the
characterization and the story within the story being excellent.
Princess Mononoke
One of the more popular Ghibli films
and one with heaps of praise. It was not what I expected but it a
good way. Very violent and not scared to show action and consequences
it is a stark look at time in a fantasy feudal Japan. The two mains
are great and I love how strong Mononoke is.
My Neighbours the Yamadas
A very funny slice of life comedy, its
more of a collection of short (that seem to get longer) and very well
realised in its odd style. Again probably a bit too long but it
doesn’t out stay its welcome. Its a nice if odd look at
contemporary life in suburban Japan.
Spirited Away
Another big film Ghibli's biggest.
Loved by many including the Academy. Its such a wonderful film, the
tone and animation is close to perfect as you can get. I like the
whimsy of it but it had a deeper core the comes out towards the end.
Masterpiece.
The Cat Returns
A very different style, felt more like
Alice in wonderland than a Ghibli film. It has a slightly different
style (most noticeable in the faces) and it feels fresh and clean. It
is a simple tale and though it is like an old Disney film it dose
twist things in a nice way. It is mostly just good old fun and over
the top action.
Howl's Moving Castle
A very strange film, very fun and
insightful at times but downright odd. It like Spirited Away has a
lot of vocal fans but I knew next to nothing about it. It seems a bit
by the numbers in line with Castle in the Sky and Kiki's Delivery
Service but it is a great film in its own right. I like Howl and how
he struggles with life.
Tales of Earthsea
Another adaptation of a book, this time
it is slightly let down by a lack of coherent world building. It is a
cool film with some nice action and some odd imagery. It has a
tighter focus than most Ghibli films but it lack in some other
aspects. Still a fun watch but the issues don't hide.
Ponyo
Cute, creepy and very odd. Very
cartoonish in both art style and plot. A tale of friendship and
making friends while being able to let others go. Very over stylised but in a cute way and the smooth
animation sells the odd nature of both Ponyo and the world. Distinct and fun.
Arrietty
Very solid in plot, feel and
characterization. I like how Arrietty is portrayed and the strength
she has, though small she feels very real and well rounded. It is a
plot I am very much familiar with and I think it is the best version
of the Borrowers I have seen.
From Up on Poppy Hill
A funny romance with a painful sting of
drama to round off a very well made story. I love Ghibli's small
slice of life stories and this is great, from realistic dialogue to a
interesting background setting as well as some subtle moments that
make for a awesome little film.
The Wind Rises
At first glance it is a simple film
about a person who designs planes and his struggles in life with work
and love. The is the ever present feel we get with Ghibli films; but
the is also serious undertones, as the film is set just before and
during World War Two. Then we have the very cool but strange choice
of sound effects, it's all onomatopoeia with voices. It makes for
some very creepy parts, especially the earthquake.
The Tale of the Princess Kaguya
Style and heart in abundance, such a
finely made film. The animation style and quality is stunning and it
fits in well with the tone of the story and the time in which it is
set. The only issue is the ending coming out of no-ware but it works
as like most Ghibli films the plot meanders all over. Stunning and
lovely in every way.
When Marnie Was There
A tale of two half’s, a very nice
little slice of life that turns things on its head and becomes very
emotional. I love the visuals and the tone, it keeps things calm as
the plot takes it's time to ramp up. The avalanche of plot details at
the end that crush you under layers of sadness. The ending is a ray
hope for a child to overcome her issues.
Ghibli is the only film studio I have
seen all the films of not even marvel or Pixar (though its on my list
to do so) the was just a pull towards the studios films. Everything I
have be exposed to over the years from anime sites to film sites and
just the TV I have heard and seen nothing but great stuff. It almost
called to me and when I took the dive last year I didn't look back.
I only took me about eight months to
watch them all the allure of them was so strong. The are quality
present that I have found elsewhere, from the tone and feel to the
worlds and plots. The is so much to love and so much of it is both
unique and awesome.
I will miss the feeling of watching a
Ghibli film for the first time the sense of wonder and exploration in
every opening. Now I get a different experience; that of a re-watch,
I get to see deeper or just let the film roll over be in a wave of
bliss. I want to experience them again and again, to feel all that
they can give me. I want to enjoy both the art and the mechanics of
the films.
I think I may be able to narrow down a
top five films. These are the ones that affected me the most and have
stayed in my mind the longest. The list is in no particular order as that would be
a futile task, but here we go my top five:
Arrietty
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
Whisper of the Heart
Spirited Away
From Up on Poppy Hill
This was hard to do, so many could be in
there. Think of this as a list that is based on how I
feel at any given time.
This studio has become a part of my
life. Escapism is important to me and every film has that aspect; from green
hills, to inner city, to strange waste lands and dream worlds of all
kinds. They all have a thing in common.
They all felt real to me! I loved being
a part of them.
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