Audience reviews
20 · Sample from the first available page, separate from the total number of ratings.
Jxbinha
I watched Castle in the Sky a long time ago, so I honestly don't remember every detail of the story, but I apparently enjoyed it enough to give it a 7.
The movie has a very classic adventure feeling, following Pazu and Sheeta as they get caught up in a journey involving airships, pirates, a mysterious floating city, and people trying to take advantage of its power. It's a simple concept, but it creates a fun sense of adventure throughout the movie.
What I remember most about it is the feeling of exploring this mysterious world and discovering Laputa alongside the characters. The story has a good balance between adventure, fantasy, and more emotional moments without becoming overly complicated.
Looking back, it might not be one of the movies that stayed with me the most, but I can understan…
Read at the sourcek-0da
Laputa: Castle in the Sky is among the few fairly-popular Ghibli movies that I knew fairly-nothing about. I went into the theater with high, yet measured expectations, at least aware of the movie’s notoriety among Ghibliphiles. Needlessly to say, Laputa: Castle in the Sky met my expectations by completely blowing me away.
This movie is stunning, as most Ghibli films are. Obviously the roundness of the world gives it a great sense of childlike charm, but I want to pay special attention to the mechanical design and painted backgrounds. Ghibli artists tend to pull from real life rather than other anime, so the film’s mechanical and environmental design feel impossibly fresh and unique, even some forty years later. The Cardiff inspiration shines in the industrial-revolution era mechanics and…
Read at the sourceLightning_art7
The story is quite generic and isn't really "that amazing" in terms of telling a unique story. But the overall story is quite chill. The art is nice, which has a watercolor feel. The "Laputa" thing is sort of similar to Atlantis, a hidden, abandoned city. If you like "airships", "sky battles", "trying to go on adventures", "lost city", and stuff like that, you might like this story. But if you prefer other genres, or stories that aren't too "iyashikei", you might not like this story. This movie is not that memorable and is more like an "one-and-done" thing where watching it once, or maybe twice if you're pushing it, is enough. Which means the story is not that deep and it relies more on the novelty of the concept. There is also a "damsel in distress" thing where others have to save Sheeta.…
Read at the sourceKitzo
Tenkuu no Shiro Laputa or Laputa Castle in the Sky is a beautiful and endearing "find Atlantis" adventure with a lovely aerial WW1 steampunk airship style clashing with a little thirst for a semi-lovecraftian culture alongside the natural forces of nature and good. It follows two strong-willed children and a cast of other characters that, while mostly one dimensional, leans into an immersive and fun venture to find, claim, and maneuver around this ancient birthright.
It is simple, but well written and for Studio Ghibli's first produced film. It gives me goosebumps and warms my heart with its classic hero and heroine archetype. This is alongside combining the seeming predecessors of the flashy pirate and airship designs seen in Porco Rosso and the battle between man's quest for knowledge…
Read at the sourceDelbi7
It’s always a pleasure to revisit any of Hayao Miyazaki’s films at the cinema. Thanks to re-releases, I’ve fortunately had the chance to see a good portion of his work on the big screen, and there hasn’t been a single time when it hasn’t been thrilling. Castle in the Sky is, perhaps, and in my view, one of his most classic films. There aren’t many subtleties here; the protagonists must save the world from a man who wants to conquer it using that sort of weapon of mass destruction that is the kingdom of Laputa. But that doesn’t make it any less of an interesting and spectacular adventure.
The audiovisual aspect elevates the film to cult classic status, with set pieces that haven’t aged a bit (special mention to the sequence on the rails). Furthermore, Miyazaki offers an interesting perspe…
Read at the sourcejay_quelin
The story is too generic for my taste. It just borrows a lot of elements from Atlantis, Road to El Dorado, and Gulliver's Travels. The plot follows the same beats where the MCs search for a "lost city," and the bad guys want to discover the city for their own greedy intentions. As with all Hayao Miyazaki movies, the intricate artwork reflects Miyazaki's obsession with airships and airplanes. So apart from its beautiful landscapes and intricately drawn planes, the story isn't anything to write home about. The story follows "Sheeta," who is being held hostage by a man named "Muska." After Sheeta escapes Muska's flying airship, her magic necklace saves her from the fall. From a small mining village, this boy named "Pazu" sees her slowly descend from the sky. After she wakes up at Pazu's house…
Read at the sourceJoyBoy29
"Tenkuu no Shiro Laputa" was the very first movie released by Studio Ghibli after Topcraft, the late animation studio, went bankrupt in 1985. And honestly, I believe this film is the perfect representation of what Ghibli has always tried to convey through its stories. From the beginning, the themes that would later define Ghibli’s identity: War, humanity’s greed, our connection to nature, and the balance between destruction and creation are all beautifully encapsulated in this movie.
But rather than diving into the narrative structure or explaining its plot, I’d rather talk about how much I enjoyed watching this film. There’s just something so special about it that it’s hard to put into words. The best I can do is describe it as magical. And really, I don’t think there’s a word that fits…
Read at the sourcesimplyfaster
This movie genuinely never gets old. I've probably rewatched it about 7 times throughout my life showing it to my friends and experiencing it again with family. It executes exactly what it is trying to do perfectly and does not stray from the path that it has set itself up for. The intro credit sequence is one of the most beautiful pieces of exposition and animation that I have ever seen. Nothing compares to that grand opening theme whilst watching islands float up into the sky and collapse onto barren earth, induces shivers every time.
There isn't a character in this movie that is not likeable. Sheeta and Pazu's relationship and the way that it develops is so heartwarming every single time, and watching the pirates grow to care for them, especially Dola, is always sweet to see. It doesn'…
Read at the sourcemaya_kotori
It was a movie I ended up loving way more than I expected. There’s something incredibly charming about it. The whole adventure feels magical, warm, and genuinely cute in that classic Ghibli way. The world-building is beautiful, the characters are easy to adore, and the story has this timeless, fairy‑tale feeling that pulls you in without even trying. I found myself completely absorbed in the atmosphere, from the floating islands to the gentle humor and emotional moments. It’s the kind of movie that makes you feel cozy and nostalgic at the same time. Overall, I really loved it. It was simply adorable.
Read at the sourceYorvska
A first entry from Studio Ghibli, and not the least! A simple film (sometimes too simple), with endearing characters and strong artistic direction. It's unlikely to become your favorite Ghibli film, but it will still make for a good evening, with some memorable scenes.
NEGATIVE POINTS
- Let's start with the bad. Laputa is an extremely basic film, which means that the storyline and character dynamics are unlikely to leave much of an impression. It's a shame that you can predict the outcome of the film almost before it begins.
- For a Ghibli film, some of the designs are very simple, but it's worth noting that this is their first film.
- The music is sometimes lacking, apart from one or two catchy melodies.
- Some may criticize the film for being slow. At the very least, the pace does slow…
Read at the sourceelumizu
Castle in the Sky is a classic adventure fantasy that blends steampunk imagination with a heartfelt story about courage, friendship, and the consequences of human greed. The movie follows a young girl named Sheeta who possesses a mysterious crystal necklace linked to the legendary floating city of Laputa, an ancient civilization said to contain unimaginable technological power. When Sheeta is captured by government agents seeking to exploit the crystal’s secrets, she escapes during an airship attack and falls from the sky, only to be rescued by a boy named Pazu, an orphan who works in a mining town. What begins as a chance meeting quickly evolves into a journey driven by curiosity and shared determination. Pazu has long believed in the existence of Laputa, inspired by stories left behind b…
Read at the sourceC4bs
Studio Ghibli films are now recognized worldwide as some of the best animated films ever made. Not only for the sheer perfection of the animation technique itself, but also for their stories, which, year after year, become increasingly timeless and universal. And the mastermind behind both the creation and much of the studio's films, director Hayao Miyazaki, has become an icon in the industry, and whenever a new film of his is announced, it automatically becomes one of the most anticipated releases in cinemas.
And in my quest to learn more about the great classics of Japanese animation, I embarked on an incredible and extremely enjoyable journey of watching all of the renowned studio's films, and consequently, Miyazaki's, to understand how his films influenced future generations of filmma…
Read at the sourcetheo1763
My introduction to Studio Ghibli came from watching Castle in the Sky, and it instantly revealed to me why the studio is held in such esteem. The tale centers on Sheeta and Pazu, two orphans who become embroiled in a chase for a magical crystal that takes them to the mythical floating city of Laputa. The narrative is straightforward but compelling, featuring plenty of exciting action, amusing humor, and sweet, sentimental moments. I loved the way the film weaves elements of goodness, courage, and respect for nature into the excitement without ever seeming heavy-handed. Overall, I would give the movie an 8 out of 10.
The characters are what really made this film stick with me. Sheeta and Pazu are cute and likable, but the real star was Dola and her pirate crew. They start greedy and goofy,…
Read at the sourceJJ_Wip7
Let’s talk about the first Studio Ghibli movie, Castle in the Sky (1986). It's a foundational piece, sure, but every time I think about it, I just can’t shake that sour taste from my mouth.
The movie starts fine. Pazu and Sheeta are these wide-eyed adventurers. They’re scrappy, earnest, and their chemistry is endearing. But as the story moves along, the hollowing effect widens. It’s hard to pinpoint at first. Maybe it’s the villain, Muska, whose whole thing is being a “stock bad guy.” He’s power-hungry, sure, but where’s the meat on that bone? There’s no complexity to him. He’s evil because the movie needs him to be. Compared to a character like Lady Eboshi in Miyazaki’s later film Princess Mononoke (1997), of whom balances industrialization with a genuine care for her people, Muska feels…
Read at the sourcebergars
So, that's what a filler Ghibli movie looks like.
Did not care a single bit about whatever plot was happening in this movie. Not from the beginning, not from the middle or end. It's one of those movies you put on the back of dinner. It's dated, cliché'd, more predictable than anything, specially when you establish how plot convenience is the only force working for the movie. Starting off with the main characters.
You've got a walking “damsel in distress” trope. You've got the immortal protagonist that somehow escapes literally every impossible situation with sheer force of will, he's a kid. He can grip impossibly steep structures for minutes on end, he can confront people with guns, he has no sense of self-preservation, or he knows he's immortal. Most characters share that.
The typica…
Read at the sourceVagabond_dude
I can't help but think that Eichiro Oda took inspiration from this movie for certain elements in One Piece. It feels somewhat similar. And I loved that aspect of it. That atmosphere of adventure, discovery, archaeological mystery, it is very refreshing.
Sometimes you just need a film that makes you feel good at the end, that makes you remember when you were a child and you were playing in your grandparents' yard imagining a world of possibilities. Many Ghibli films are like this, they appeal to the nostalgia that lives inside you and make you remember how wonderful it was to have once been a child.
Read at the sourceYoha-chan
My favourite Studio Ghibli movie of all time! I saw it for the first time when I was nine. Laputa has in many ways been my first. It was my first anime movie. My first movie in Japanese. Also the movie I learnt my first Japanese word from. Now, 16 years later, my love for this movie only grows.
Laputa is a nostalgic, well written story, great character designs and great character developments. I truly didn't appreciate the characters when I was younger. However, now looking back especially at the female characters: Sheeta, Mama and the Boss's wife, all three are super strong and amazing female characters in their own way. They all are kind, headstrong, goal focused and resilient characters. Pazu is also a great, strong, resilient and kind character.
The plot of the movie is also so stro…
Read at the sourceTheRiseofAnime
I finally got a chance to watch a Ghibli film in the theatre. It was an amazing experience and a great way to get introduced into this movie. Laputa is one of the few Miyazaki films I have yet to watch but after having seen it, the movie is ranked highly amongst my top favorites.
Why did I like it?
First off, the movie overall was hardly boring or tedious despite its two hour run time. Laputa was unexpectedly action packed. Plus the characters, especially Pazu, were hilarious in segments throughout the film. Miyazaki did well to combine humor with the heavier parts. The art was downright gorgeous, and I will never cease praising Hisashi's work on the score for Ghibli films. The music fit in so perfectly.
Any critiques?
My only wish was to have some sort of scene where the two main charac…
Read at the sourcecoolman6446
After watching the film, I'd recommend it! I've decided to watch the Ghibli movies since I hear so much about them, so I thought I'd start with the first one. It is a nice story with fun characters and a great soundtrack! I'm not sure if it was the music in combination with the story or what, but I did feel pretty emotional and choked up a couple times.
I was a bit worried I wasn't going to enjoy the movie at first because the beginning felt a bit slow and didn't hook me in too much, but soon enough I was having a fun time by the end of the first act! The only other thing that made me dock a point was how absurdly abrupt the film ends. It doesn't literally just cut to black, but it didn't really feel like it had much of an epilogue.
Either way, those are just minor complaints that didn't…
Read at the sourceAnimetrack07
Story: one fine story of Aircraft, war and leadership.
Characters: first the blue stone magic of sheeta is one of my fav beginning. Her art is a lofi goody... Pazu is a good guy, active, and an opportunist. All of the ghibli movie characters will have something to learn from, more importantly love!!
Art: definitely laputa's depiction will create likability for anyone who're new to aviation but has the desire to.
Plot twist: villian roles do create drama yet there's more fun at the climax. Just give it a go! If you're the one who's anyway to cling onto your loved ones for protection then you'll surely love this movie of studio ghibli.
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