September 29, 2001 (12:00 AM) ( link )

You know how, yesterday, I said that Laputa - Castle in the Sky may not be the best movie that I've ever seen? Well, when I wrote that, I hadn't actually finished watching it yet; I was only about halfway through. I finished watching the rest of it today, and my opinion has changed: Laputa IS one of the best movies that I've ever seen. All of the characters—especially Pazu, Sheeta, and Dora—were absolutely amazing, and there are some virtuoso action scenes at the end, including a jaw-dropping finale. As with every other Miyazaki film, Laputa has a happy ending—but even at the end there is a hint of longing, of regret for lost opportunities, that made me sit through the entire ending credits unable to do anything else. And the music is incredible. This is a fantastic film, and certainly the best Miyazaki movie I've seen so far.