When Pazu and Sheeta first enter Luputa and discover one of its robots (whose design clearly inspired other cinematic automatons, such as Brad Bird’s Iron Giant), it is a peaceful machine that protects animals, such as birds. But delve deeper and you’ll find the message that it’s the person behind the machines who determines if they serve an altruistic or evil purpose. At first glance, it seems to suggest that nature is good and machines are bad. The film also explores environmental themes.

The film is filled to the brim with fantastical settings, charming characters and tense moments that will leave you on the edge of your seat. It’s an entertaining film that invokes the spirit of adventure found in movies like the Indiana Jones series. Why It’s a Good Family Movie: While much of Miyazaki’s later work features more introspective moments that punctuate the action, Castle in the Sky is a rollercoaster movie that features non-stop, rollicking action scenes. With the aid of some rough-and-tumble pirates, Sheeta and Pazu aim to find this El Dorado-like city before Muska does. Sheeta, who possesses magical powers, befriends a young boy named Pazu, who helps her escape Muska’s clutches. This amulet is actually a compass, which will lead him to an ancient utopian city floating in the sky that he can use to rule over the earth below. The Story: Colonel Muska, a foppish government agent, has kidnapped a royal descendant of the Luputan family named Sheeta in hopes of obtaining her amulet. It’s also a ton of fun to watch, with great set pieces - suspenseful action scenes featuring a unique setting and incredible stunts - scattered across the film. Castle in the Sky (1986) is a fantastical adventure film with a steampunk aesthetic that includes classic Miyazaki elements such as environmentalism, breathtaking flying scenes and strong female characters.

Pazu and Sheeta meet a robot in 'Castle in the Sky'Ĭoming fresh off of Kiki’s Delivery Service, I thought I’d recommend another whimsical Hayao Miyazaki film that’s often overlooked in favor of his more popular films.

Muska castle in the sky