Studio Ghibli Society - Discuss some of the most enchanting films ever made here!

Well, I hate the dubbed versions - I think it takes away most of the magic and to me it feels like a different, lesser film because of it. But then I grew up with the Japanese versions of the Ghibli films and I have a lot of sentimental attachment to them, so maybe that's why I feel they are murdered when dubbed! Incidentally - I think all foreign films should be subtitled because that's how the film was intended to be by the directors. People shouldn't be put off from subtitles; you don't even notice them after a while (like in Pan's Labyrinth or The Lives of Others).

Anyway, my absolute favourite has to be Laputa. Again there's probably a lot of sentimental reasons to it rather than whether it was technically the best, but I feel it has the most magic out of all of them. The characters are memorable, the music beautiful and the story is just simply so imaginative. For similar reasons I really love Nausicaa as well, for the real 'fantasy' element.

I think Ghibli has three kinds of films: the truly 'fantasy' ones (Nausicaa, Laputa, Howl), the ones that depict reality (Whisper of the Heart, Fireflies etc) and the ones that are a mixture of both (Kiki, Totoro, Spirited Away, Mononoke). For me, personally, I prefer the first type of films because that's what I think Ghibli does best. Still, Totoro has a special place in my heart because I grew up with it and they are so damn cute

I think that the Ghibli films are losing their magic a bit, actually, as the years go on. I think Spirited Away is really overrated (graphics etc stunning but the story itself?), and as for Howl, after the first 30 minutes I thought was terrible! The story was a real mess and for once, I feel the original book (by Diana Wynne Jones) was better. But then, the vast majority of people seem to think Spirited Away and Howl were the best films, so........

And as for the music - I love it. I know the majority of the lyrics by heart (in Japanese ofc ).

In short - Ghibli films has formed my childhood and will stay with me for life. I'm so glad to find other people who love them too!

^ Meh, I'd argue that if Princess Mononoke is a mixture of fantasy and real life then so is Nausicaa; both have similar themes (the whole humans vs nature/environmental thing). Both may be set firmly in fantasy, but the morals are important in real life. Whereas Laputa and Howl are definitely just fantasy ;yes;. And I agree Spirited Away is overrated, it's good but not as good as some of the earlier ones. But Howl is great :eviltongu

and may I just say. the BARON in the cat returns is HOT - i want him!!

For those who don't know, he makes an appearance in the earlier film 'Whisper of the Heart' too, though in a different form ;yes;. Hence 'The Cat Returns'.

Slight change of subject: Has anyone else seen Isao Takahata's 'My Neighbours the Yamadas'? It's a Ghibli film, but the animation is unlike any other. Despite that I think it's just as good, has the same feel to it. The animation style used is like a moving watercolour picture; very good in it's own way.