Nausicaa Valley Of The Wind Reviews

DON'T WATCH THIS

MAJOR WARNING FOR MIYAZAKI FANS - this is a horribly cut, re-dubbed version of Nausicaa : Valley Of The Wind. It was brutalised to turn it into a kiddies film for the US and has been disowned by the director himself, so save yourself the pain and wait for the release of Nausicaa proper in early 2005.

Avoid

This is the heavily butchered US version as the review above says. The proper one has been released - which is 119 minutes long.

Miyazki at his strongest

This is a lovely piece of work beautiful with fabulous characters and if you like dubbed over subtitles some excellent voice acting from the likes of Patrick Stuart and Uma Thurman.

Briefly following a major war the earth is largely blighted and toxic with much of the inhabitable land desert.

Nausicaa is a young girl with an ability to charm the mutated creatures of this world and a skill in flying that you marvel at the brilliant landscapes.

In many respects this shares similar themes of renewal vs destruction and man vs nature with Final Fantasy the Spirits Within (which it predates considerably) While the devestation of war themes from Howls moving Castle and Princess Monomoke also emerge here.

This is a quite complex story closer to Princess Monomoke than Spirited Away or Howls Moving Castle in feel and as a result some of it might be lost on the very young viewer.

Overall one of the best Miyazai movies if you've not seen it treat yourself to one of the most heartfelt and amazing pieces of animation ever made

[Highly rated reviewer]

Magical

An outstanding visual and emotional ride. When it comes to his world view, Miyazaki wears his heart on his sleeve. How humans and animals relate to nature, and the dangers of not respecting the world we live on. The futility of war and how ultimately it destroys both sides in a conflict. Films like Pom Poko where transforming raccoons try and save their forest from developers, Princess Mononoke where a mining colony is at war with creatures from the forest their destroying, or Howls moving Castle where a war overshadows a young girls attempts to break a curse. One of the great things about Miyazaki, is that he doesn’t let the themes override the characters. It’s the characters who pull you in and drive the story. Mononoke and her blind determination, the kid Paz in Laputa: Castle in the sky, who just will not quit no matter what obstacle is put in front of him. And Nausicaa, who may be a bit twee for some, but her drive to find peace with the insects and bring a balance back to the land had my heart weeping. This film should be on a school syllabus.

Brilliant

At first I thought this was going to be a "message" movie about the way we are polluting our Earth but it is so much more than that. Good clean artwork, a story that makes sense with no black and white villains just people whose ideas differ.

It reminded me of PORCO ROSSO and HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE in its style but that is down to the same artists and director and that is no bad thing. The Studio Ghibli productions seem to complement each other even though they are different subjects. Can't wait for PRINCESS MONONOKE now which seems to have a lot in common with this movie. If you like good anime, good storytelling then this a movie to add to your list.

Don't get this version!

Nausicaa of the valley of the wind is truely one of my favourite films of all time, but this version here is edited to be shorter and with a much simpler story line - and very bad dubbing! If you want to see this film look for the version with the full title.

It actually upsets me how poor this version is... because it ruins one of my favourite films.

You can't be serious!

I haven't seen the film but would like to comment on the reviewer who said it was 'too long and boring'. This is obviously the comment of a boring person and you can't be bored cause there's just too much to do in life. Take a very long look at yourself...

Excellent

I can't say whether this is the original Japanese version but it has Japanese language, with option of dubbed English. I'm not sure how different from the original it could possible be. Aside from the dubbed vs. subtitled argument this is an outstanding film that is sure to mesmerize you from start to finish. Definitely a must watch.

So-so

This could have been great but the poor dubbing really ruined it for me. You can really tell this movie has been 'kiddied' up for a younger audience, which i found there was no need for. The story itself was O.K, Some of the Animation was good but at other times looked lazy.. If you are looking for a truly awesome anime then this probably wont do it for you.. but you could do alot worse.

The most accessible Studio Ghibli film

I don't think this is necessarily the best Miyazaki film...Spirited Away, My Neighbour Totorro and Laputa are all arguably superior but I think this is his most accessible. The story is more coherent and evenly paced than even his best films and hence it's all the easier on the Westerner's palate.

Themes from Princess Mononoke are explored in a less complete but slightly more heavy handed way in this film but this is a minor criticism.

If you are looking for an excellent entry point to the beautifully animated, wonderfully imaginative films of Miyazaki then this is it.

If you have seen any of his others and you remain to be convinced; try this. If you have already enjoyed a Miyazaki film then this is a good watch.