January 14 movie: Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. I really wish I had written this up in a more timely manner. I remember I had lots to say about it the day we watched it. Oh well, it's probably better for everyone if I keep it brief.
This is a relatively early Miyazaki film and in a lot of ways it seems like a precursor to Princess Mononoke, with a lot of similar themes -- the environment, two communities with opposing relationships to the natural world, a girl heroine with a special ability to communicate with animals -- but not as much depth. There are also visual parallels -- the attack of the Ohms is a lot like the rampage of the boars, for example, and the death of the spirit of the forest reminded me a lot of the death of the giant warrior.
If I had to pick only one, I'd probably watch Mononoke because the characters are more complex. But of course it would be better to watch both!
2 Comments
The movie of Nausicaa has always seemed like a rush job. The comic is much richer and, if anything, more beautiful.
I've still never seen Mononoke. I really must.
I've heard that the comic version of "Whisper of the Heart" is also better, at least at the very end. I really loved the movie version though.
You do have to see Mononoke! I'm one to talk though, I missed Howl's Moving Castle.