Hey everyone, we’re back with another entry in the Reader Recommendations series!
This time up, our recommendation comes from Kim from klling.wordpress.com She’s recommended “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Winds”, joining in the effort to further my Hayao Miyazaki education! I’m more than happy to check it out, since “Howl’s Moving Castle” was really awesome.
My questions in bold. Kim′s answers below.
Big thanks, Kim! My Review Below.
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One of the things that impresses me with the couple of Hayao Miyazaki films that I’ve seen is just how wildly imaginative they are. Right from the opening frames, we know we’re not in Kansas…A gas-masked figure rides ostriches through gas emitting spore trees. This is a post apocalyptic world where man’s wars and pollution have turned mankind into an endangered species. The vegetation of the world emits poisonous gasses, and the planet’s insects have grown enormous and hostile.
In this future, there is one colony that has been protected from the toxic jungle: The Valley of the Wind. The Valley of the Wind’s proximity to the ocean has kept it protected from the toxins prevalent everywhere else in the environment. Its residents live a happy, pacifistic existence. Living there is Princess Nausicaä, who explores the world on her glider, seeking out explanations within nature for the change in the Earth, in order to protect the Valley from environmental dangers.
Nausicaä gets drawn into a conflict between two warring city states, however, when an airship carrying an ancient weapon of mass destruction crashes in the Valley. From then on, she not only has to survive the conflict, she has to protect the Valley as the battle draws hordes of giant, vicious insects swarming towards the fighting. She’ll have to rely on her deep sense of empathy and her understanding of the natural world in order to stave off catastrophe.
“Nausicaä” is an incredibly imaginative, supremely animated film. The dub I saw was excellent, featuring the voices of Alison Lohman, Patrick Stewart and Edward James Olmos. The score is fantastic as well. The storyline is great, and just as imaginative as the visuals. Miyazaki seems to have a way of creating entirely different worlds, and then creating rapidly moving plots that sweep the viewer along, immersing them in these fantastic worlds as the events quickly unfold. On top of which, his films seem to be full of clear, understandable themes, in this case anti-war themes and environmental themes.
His films really are incredible, enjoyable experiences. I was more than happy to check this one out. Thanks Kim, it was a great recommendation!
I’m a big fan of miyazaki but for some reason I couldn’t get into this one. It was a bit too lethargic for me. I ended up losing concentration and turning it off. I will go back to it again some day though.
Oh, wow, really? I thought it was moving at a really good clip! I was caught up in it…
Give it another shot when you get a chance, man, I think it deserves it
Nice feature! Slap me hard but I don’t remember seeing it before. Really cool. Some good choices come to mind. Keep it up Fogster.
Heh, will do.
Listen, if you havent checked it out, but you enjoy animated movies, I would definitely recommend this. It was definitely something relly cool.
No slapping involved.
Think I need to see this one. Do love the older Miyazaki films, and for some reason not seen this one! Though, I’ll aim for watching the original, rather than the dubbed one. Can not stand the dubs!
You know? In animated films, dubs are much easier to handle. I understand though.
Yeah, I think eventually I’m going to have to check out all of this guys movies. They’re awesome!
Awesome!! Great job Kim!
Yeah, she picked a good one, no doubt.
Such a fantastic movie. The soundtrack is maybe a little 80s but it adds to the charm of the movie I think.
Wasn’t it great though? I had a great time watching it.
I went to see it at a theater in LA last year. They were showing all the Studio Ghibli films as part of a retrospective. It was mind-blowing watching it on the big screen.
LOL. I dont know how many in a row I could sit through, but I do imagine that it would be pretty cool in a theatre.
I think you should do a review of the Danish film Terribly Happy (2008) directed by Henrik Ruben Genz. I have been trying to get people to watch that film for years.
I’ll put it down.
Fair warning though, there’s a backlog LOL
I believe that’s like a gangster movie right?
it’s a love story/thriller very dark
also i sent you an email
I watched Nausiccaa for a marathon of movies from 1984 back in 2011, and I enjoyed it. I’m totally with you that it’s wonderfully imaginative and has so much going for it. The only issue that I had was the length, which didn’t hold everything together over the entire two hours. It’s still a very good film, but it falls a bit short of being one of my favorites from Miyazaki. I’m glad that you were able to check it out!
Well, unfortunately to this point I haven’t seen that many Miyazakis LOL. So, for me, I dont really have many to choose from to rank them!
I didnt think it was that long, I enjoyed it. But you’re not alone, I think someone else said that earlier, so there’s probably something to it.
Great going, Kim! Glad you saw the awesomeness in this one, Fogs. It’s one of my faves. Nausicaa started out as a hugely popular manga in Japan, btw, authored by Miyazaki.
Now there’s something I WONT be getting into. Even though I’m a comic book reader and on and off collector, I’m just not a fan of that style… Gotta say it, manga is not for me!
Noted! Not pushing. Just an FYI.
I’ve never tried to track down a translated manga of Nausica, it’s too expensive a habit to pick up.
ohh wow! good to see anime here. it is a classic!
Yeah, I was never a big fan, and then… hell I’m not even sure what discussion threads they were now… but it came out, and Jan and a couple of others really wanted to make it a point I watched some.
I’m intheir debt, they put forth two great movies!
yes you should definitely get into it. I have been a huge anime fan for over 10 years now, have a big collection. I can recommend you a few titles to watch or if you need help.
Well, if you want to get on the list, pick a title – people already have dibs on Akira and Spirited Away though.
After that, I’ll put it on the list and… around late spring we should be getting to it!
Yes definitely. Can I have Ninja Scroll or Ghost in the Shell ?
Sure, wanna go with Ghost in the Shell? I’ve heard of that one,
yes why not.
BUT you mustn’t forget about Ninja Scroll. It is a classic! 
So is it gonna be like this post? question and answer?
Indeed. I’ll give you a heads up when it gets close.. I have your email from your comments!
thank you!
I love this movie. I love all of the Miyazaki films. I am glad you are getting into them,. His films have such simple stories and messages but you can’t help get immersed into the worlds he creates.
If you haven’t already, check out Spirited Away or My Neighbor Totorro. Kiki’s Delivery Service is good, but those other 2 are better. Spirited Away has been nominated for awards too. I have most of these on Blu-Ray and they are fionally releasing Howl and Totorro on Blu-Ray.
You want to put spirited away into the Recommendations queue? It’ll be awhile, but if you’d like me to give it the ol’ spotlight here, I’d be down for that…
Yes, add Spirited Away. I think you’ll love it just like you have the other Miyazaki films.
Sounds good man, cant wait. It’ll be awhile, I’ll hit you up on Facebook when its up!
Awesome review yet again! Glad you enjoyed it! Its my boyfriend’s absolute fave. No other Miyazaki has beat this one yet. It is definitely in the top 5 for me
You have to continue watching these though! Miyazaki does probably one every year or two but its always quality work 
I’m still discovering more and more of his wonderful imaginative world!
Thank YOU Kim, it was definitely an excellent watch, and I look forward to the day when I’ve seen enough of them to feel like I can DO a ranking. LOL
There’s no doubt he’s supremely imaginative and the artistry that goes into these is impeccable. Looking forward to seeing more and more of his catalogue because (obviously) everyone is enjoying seeing these get attention here!
Reblogged this on Tranquil Dreams and commented:
Fogs @ Fogs Movie Reviews took my recommendation for an awesome Miyazaki movie! Check out his review and my answers to his questions
Nice one, Kim/Fogs. Glad to see the Miyazaki education continuing here.
I actually haven’t seen this one, but we have it on DVD. I’ll probably be checking it out then after My Neighbor Totoro. Sounds like a fun one!
Yeah, I’m guessing they’re all pretty good. People seem to love them, they keep adding them onto the list for me to see!
This is one of Miyazaki’s movies I haven’t seen yet. Looks great and will have to check it out sometime soon.
Yeah, if you like any of his other films, I’d bet you’ll like this one too. I know I did.
Heh. This is becoming “Reader Anime Recommendations”.
This is one that I’ve actually had penciled in on my own watchlist, though.
LOL “Becoming”?
It pretty much has been from square one. My fault I suppose for telling everyone I had never seen any. 
There’s some other flicks mixed in, I’m going to try to juggle the line up so its not just animation…
Thanks for reviewing one of the most influential movies of my life. I saw it when I was five in the theater and it shaped my thinking from that point on.
Yeah, I can imagine, Isaac
Definitely a great set of messages, I think this would be a great film for kids.
Better message than Disney films, thats for sure. Be a princess! LOL
For me, this is Miyazaki’s worst movie. Extremely heavy handed environmentalism message, combined with the lead character’s apparent sexual lust for giant bugs. I had written a scatching, hilarious review on my old blog, but it crashed and is forever lost to the ages.
Really? I guess that that’s good news then, because I really liked it!
I must have missed the “lead character’s apparent sexual lust for giant bugs”. Probably for the best.
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