- The Earth is a dangerous place. Since the apocalyptic "Seven Days of Fire" a thousand years ago, a "toxic jungle" has emerged to foster the growth of gigantic insects and poisonous plants. One by one, it encroaches upon humanity's struggling villages, threatening to wipe out civilization completely. In the meantime, the few remaining kingdoms are at war, striving to gain control of the last "Giant Warrior" left from antiquity. Bordered by these lethal jungles and belligerent kingdoms is The Valley of the Wind, seemingly the last peaceful place on Earth and home to a legend about a man in blue who will one day restore balance to the world.
- Some of that exposition is delivered in the film's brief prologue. Because this is a Hayao Miyazaki film, however, you learn far more about this strange world by simply watching. Giant plants belch clouds of deadly pollen into the air as the swordsman Yupa (Patrick Stewart) explores a ruined kingdom in search of the man in blue. An ancient tapestry shown behind the opening credits depicts humankind's construction of the Giant Warriors and the devastating repercussions. Gargantuan insectoid creatures called "Ohm" plod through the jungle, occasionally erupting into stampede with red-eyed rage. The Ohm shed enormous shells that the adventurous Princess Nausicaa (Alison Lohman) explores, much to the consternation of her loyal guardian, Mito (Edward James Olmos). Ponderous flying fortresses carry the Tolmekians, led by the hawkish Kushana (Uma Thurman) and ineffectual Kuratowa (Chris Sarandon), to The Valley of Wind, where the King is brutally slaughtered in a ploy to retrieve the Giant Warrior. Pegitan forces, such as the one led by Asbel (Shia LaBeouf), attack with fighter planes to avenge the kidnapping of their own princess. It's a chaotic and war-torn world whose blue-clad hero will somehow need to save humans and insects alike.
- Even with his second feature film, Miyazaki sets himself apart from the rest. Although I have come to expect such attention to detail in his films, it never fails to impress. The voiceover work, while excellent, becomes almost superfluous -- the essential parts of the story are conveyed wordlessly in the director's inimitable style. But in addition to his immense artistic talents, Miyazaki also manages to create completely original and surprising stories. Who would have guessed, for instance, that the Giant Warrior would fall apart under its own weight during the climactic final battle? Even the best American animated films, first from Disney and now Pixar, involve far more predictable plots. Such narrative daring can of course cut both ways, but at least Miyazaki's films never fail to be as interesting as they are beautiful.
- I didn't mention him, but Mark Hamill provides the voice for the leader of Pegite.
- The film was originally released in Japan in 1984, but the Disney release arrived in 2005.
