Castle in the Sky Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

Castle in the Sky Blu-ray Movie Review

One of Miyazaki's best films has received a must-own steelbook edition.

Castle in the Sky reinforces our wonders and dreams with fantastical storytelling and some of the most ambitious animation ever produced. Master filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away) crafted one of his greatest films with this entertaining and action-packed fantasy- adventure. No anime fan should go without seeing the masterpiece that is Castle in the Sky.

The story revolves around the youthful Pazu and Sheeta. The girl, Sheeta, carries the power of a magical stone crystal which holds the key to more than she could ever have imagined. With a group of pirates around the corner as well as a tyrannical government agent (seeking the stone for his own nefarious means), can Pazu and Sheeta find the castle in the sky before it falls in to the wrong hands?

The filmmaking is exquisite on every level – the animation showcases the mastery of the animators at Studio Ghibli. The original score by Joe Hisashi (Princess Mononoke) is another magnificent component of the film. The compositions easily draw one in to the fantasy realm. Throughout the epic storytelling, Miyazaki finds the perfect tonal balance. Audiences are in for a exciting ride.

Castle in the Sky might be one of the auteur filmmaker's most underappreciated gems. Though highly regarded, Castle in the Sky deserves to be placed right alongside Miyazaki's best works. The film has plenty of pathos and more energy than most modern-day blockbusters. Don't miss it.

Laputa: Castle in the Sky... a land of dreams.

For more information on Castle in the Sky, please refer to the review by Kenneth Brown.

Castle in the Sky Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Castle in the Sky is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1 widescreen. The crisp and beautiful imagery is astonishing. A clear step-up as a encode in comparison to the Disney Blu-ray release. For additional information regarding the Gkids presentation, please refer to the original review by Blu-ray.com colleague Stephen Larson.

Castle in the Sky Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The audio is presented in English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. The exceptional audio reproduction gives the film energy and life. The score by Joe Hisaishi has never sounded better than it does on the Blu-ray format. For more information on the audio, please refer to the original review by Blu-ray.com colleague Stephen Larson.

Castle in the Sky Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The release comes jam-packed with on-disc supplemental features. For a detailed breakdown of these extras, please refer to the review my by Blu-ray.com colleague Stephen Larson.

The collectors edition steelbook release includes the same exceptional booklet found in the standard Gkids release (and which features writing on the feature-film). The main draw of the re-release is the fantastic collectible packaging (at least for those of us who already owned the film on the format – sometimes across multiple editions). The steelbook design is impressive and features a lovely purple hue that makes a strong impression.

The steelbook has a shimmery effect that gives the design some extra vibrancy. The core image of Pazu and Sheeta (falling in the sky) is iconic. The minimalist design is gorgeous and fits nicely alongside the other steelbook releases produced in collaboration between Gkids and Shout Factory. As the release is held in hand, the edition feels undeniably special and important – a must own for steelbook fans.

Castle in the Sky Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Castle in the Sky is an outstanding achievement by Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro). The story is epic in all the right ways and takes audiences on an unforgettable journey with adventure and fantasy. The Blu-ray release from Gkids features a stunning video-audio presentation - improved over the previous Disney Blu-ray edition - and a nice booklet with writing on the film. The steelbook edition is gorgeous and the purple color scheme is stunning. Fans of the film will be enormously pleased with the release. A must-own for steelbook collectors. Highly recommended.