LUPIN III: THE CASTLE OF CAGLIOSTRO (Theatrical Release Japan 1979)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Stars ììì

LUPIN III: THE CASTLE OF CAGLIOSTRO—another great Hayao Miyazaki-directed, animated film—displays Japanese Manga at its finest. No fault found in this film. It is entertaining from its beginning to its end, a good choice for late teen/adult entertainment night.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Lupin (voice of Bob Bergen) and his buddy Jigen (voice of Steve Bulen) leave Monte Carlo Casino with large bags of stolen cash. As the casino building starts to light the warning, Lupin and Jigen run to their getaway car. Gangsters swarm to their cars for the chase, but their cars fall apart with wheels coming off, et cetera. When Lupin discovers the stolen money is counterfeit, he tracks the counterfeiting scheme and becomes involved in political intrigue, restoration of treasure and rightful political power.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Hayao Miyazaki for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Yutaka Fujioka and Laurence Guinness for making the film possible. Cast include: Michael McConnohie, Edie Mirman, Bob Bergen, Steve Bulen, David Povall, Jeff Winkless, Kirk Thornton, Mike Reynolds, Steve Kramer, Juliana Donald, Kerrigan Mahan, Tom Wyner, Stephen Apostolina, William Bassett, Tony Clay, Peter Spellos, John Snyder, Jeff Nimoy, Jamieson Price, Bridget Hoffman, Beau Billingslea, Paul St. Peter, Milton James, Michael Forest, Joe Romersa, Dyanne DiRosario, Dorothy Elias-Fahn, David Hayter, Barry Stigler, Kevin Seymour, and Joan-Carol O’Connell/Barbara Goodson.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Hayao Miyazaki is an entertainment master. This is Japanese Manga at its finest.

Video critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

NAUSICAÄ OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND (Theatrical Release Japan 1984)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Stars ììì Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind—Japanese anime—takes about the first hour to set up its story and the last 30 to 40 minutes to clarify many of the questions that arise while watching. The story is almost incoherent for the first half and paces itself slowly. Expect a creative watch that seems almost Star War-ish as when Lord Yupa rides his bird animal across the desert. The camerawork is suitable, the voicing is very good, the musical scores and the special effects are very well done. Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Lord Yupa (voice by Patrick Stewart) sits astride a large, two-legged bird (like an ostrich). Both the bird and Lord Yupa have futuristic gas masks in place. Lord Yupa dresses in a long overcoat. A wide-brimmed hat droops around his head. He leads another bird who serves as a pack mule. Lord Yupa travels to a village that is covered in a type of cobweb, dismounts, takes his rifle from its case, and forces one of the house doors open. Everything inside is covered in spider webs and is completely desolate. Lord Yupa looks at the ground at the house entrance, sees a small doll, and picks it up. The doll crumbles to pieces in his hand and Lord Yupa says, “Yet another village—dead.” The camera flashes screens to dragonfly-like creatures swarming the village. Lord Yupa steps outside, looks at the sky, immediately mounts his bird, and flees.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Hayao Miyazaki for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Toru Hara, Michio Kondo, and Yasuyoshi Tokuma for making the film possible. Cast include: Alison Lohman, Uma Thurman, Chris Sarandon, Edward James Olmos, Mark Hamill, Jeff Bennett, Tress MacNeille, and Tony Jay.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. Creative, but difficult to follow during the first half of movie. The film has great voicing and animation.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

PRINCESS MONONOKE (Released to Theaters Japan 1997)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì  Princess Mononoke—likable—shows exceptional creativity, one-of-a-kind cinematography, and eye-candy animation. This Hayao Miyazaki-directed film has a complicated story that involves the older child and adult audience. Be aware that gore and violence have been introduced into the story unlike most of Miyazaki's work but not at the unbearable level. This animated film is very well done.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A teenage prince acquires a demonic virus from a demonic boar that he killed. The spiritual leader casts lots and finds the prince will die without the proper antidote. He ex-communicates the prince from his village and the young prince journeys to find the antidote.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Hayao Miyazaki for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Toshio Suzuki for making the film possible. Voice cast includes Yoji Matsuda, Yuriko Ishida, Yuko Tanaka, Karou Kobayashi, Masahiko Nishimura, Tsunehiko Kamijo, Akihiro Miwa, Mitsuko Mori, and Hisaya Morishige.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Good watch and storyline... one of the better Japanese anime.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE BOY AND THE HERON (Released to Theaters USA 2023)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì  The Boy and the Heron—underrated Japanese animated film—has 'hidden gem' written all over it. It's so good to have Hayao Miyazaki making the animated films we love. Know the movie has excellent voiceovers and animation. Read a plotline before watching. The last 15 to 20 minutes become very complicated and difficult to follow for younger children. The movie has a PG-13 rating and may serve the teen/adult audience better that the younger audience. The movie has finesse, is exceptionally creative, and leaves its audience with an especially happy ending.   Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline  A boy accesses a magical world with the help of a heron.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Hayao Miyazaki for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Toshio Suzuki for making the film possible. Cast includes Soma Santoki, Masaki Suda, Aimyon Yoshino Kimura, Shōhei Hino, Ko Shibasaki, and Takuya Kimura.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? Yes. Thank you to all who made the production of this creative and remarkable Hayao Miyazaki film possible.  Look for the 'eye candy' of the animation. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

PONYO (Theatrical Release Japan 2008)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.4|5.0 Starsììì

Ponyo, different, fresh, clean,  has a certain kindness written throughout the story, a not-quite-definable gentleness that laces the works of Director Hayao Miyazaki. It is not one of his best works, but it starts out well and holds it course throughout with some slow spots (i.e., when a bubble-encased Ponyo (voiced by Noah Lindsey Cyrus) is finally freed by her siblings). The movie contains a few scenes that appear to need more explanation; but overall, this is a suitable movie for young people. Ponyo definitely creates a desire to follow more of Director Hayao Miyazaki’s work. Kudos to Noah Lindsey Cyrus and Frankie Jonas for outstanding voicing of dialogue.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Despite the lower star rating given this film, the gentleness of this director's stories magnetically draws audiences to his movies. It's more of a watch for children than adults.

Video Critiques Available Here:

Ben Meyers