Before watching "Tales from Earthsea"(The debut film from Goro Miyazaki, son of Hayao Miyazaki, the same director of great anime films such as "My Neighbor Totoro", "Porco Rosso" and "Spirited Away") I heard many bad things about it: That it was the worst film from the Studio Ghibli, that it had bad animation and a corny story(It even was awarded at the was awarded as the "Worst Movie" in the Bunshun Raspberry Awards, from the year 2006) but honestly, I don't think this film wasn't that bad.
It is true that "Tales from Earthsea" isn't at the same level of the masterpieces from the Studio Ghibli (And the plot is completely different to the source material in which it was inspired) but that doesn't make it bad film: In fact, I found to be a very enjoyable adventure, with good animation, and interesting (Though somewhat clichéd) characters.
However, considering the high standard of quality that most of the Ghibli films have, I could understand why so many people were disappointed: Some of the scenes from this movie lack of the same feeling and powerful emotion from the best films from filmmakers such as Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata; there are also many, many parts of the story, that despite being done well, could have much more better developed. I mean, this could have a great, epic animated film, at the same level of "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind" or Princess Mononoke, but instead of that is "only" a good adventure/fantasy film, that sadly doesn't add anything new to the genre and doesn't exploit all the potential it could have
While this is hardly a perfect film; it still does not deserve the mixed reception from the Japanese and American public. Goro is not trying to be a copycat of his father, and this allows him to be free to create his own unique styles and themes. I'm sure that the next films from Goro Miyazaki will show his potential as director. I'm convinced that his new movie, "From Up on Poppy Hill" will be very good.
7.5/10
It is true that "Tales from Earthsea" isn't at the same level of the masterpieces from the Studio Ghibli (And the plot is completely different to the source material in which it was inspired) but that doesn't make it bad film: In fact, I found to be a very enjoyable adventure, with good animation, and interesting (Though somewhat clichéd) characters.
However, considering the high standard of quality that most of the Ghibli films have, I could understand why so many people were disappointed: Some of the scenes from this movie lack of the same feeling and powerful emotion from the best films from filmmakers such as Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata; there are also many, many parts of the story, that despite being done well, could have much more better developed. I mean, this could have a great, epic animated film, at the same level of "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind" or Princess Mononoke, but instead of that is "only" a good adventure/fantasy film, that sadly doesn't add anything new to the genre and doesn't exploit all the potential it could have
While this is hardly a perfect film; it still does not deserve the mixed reception from the Japanese and American public. Goro is not trying to be a copycat of his father, and this allows him to be free to create his own unique styles and themes. I'm sure that the next films from Goro Miyazaki will show his potential as director. I'm convinced that his new movie, "From Up on Poppy Hill" will be very good.
7.5/10