Tales from Earthsea, directed by Goro Miyazaki, is an anime movie based on Ursula K. Le Guin’s Earthsea books. As a fan of Studio Ghibli and Le Guin’s stories, I was excited but also nervous to watch this film. After seeing it, here’s what I think about whether it’s worth watching.
In My Opinion
Visually, this movie is very good, but it also has some problems. The story sometimes moves too fast and other times too slow. If you haven’t read the Earthsea books, it might be hard to follow.
I love detailed stories and characters, but I felt the movie didn’t explore these as deeply as Le Guin’s books. There are many interesting parts of the Earthsea world that the movie doesn’t fully show.
Even so, the themes and visuals are strong. Arren’s struggle and growth are touching, and the final battle against Lord Cob is exciting.
If you like Studio Ghibli, fantasy worlds, or Le Guin’s books, you should watch it despite its flaws. The movie has a unique mix of magic and deep thoughts, with beautiful animation. But if you love the Earthsea books, you might find the movie doesn’t fully capture their spirit.
In the end, Tales from Earthsea is a visually stunning journey with moments of beauty and insight. It might not perfectly match Le Guin’s books, but it’s still a thought-provoking and gorgeous film.
Plot Overview
The movie starts with a ship caught in a big storm. The ship’s weatherworker tries to control the wind and waves but can’t. He then sees two dragons fighting in the sky, which is a bad omen. The story then moves to the Kingdom of Enlad, where Prince Arren, the King’s son, runs away after killing his father.
Arren’s journey is filled with challenges. He is saved by Sparrowhawk, a wise wizard, but struggles with guilt and scary dreams. The story takes us through deserts, busy towns, and spooky castles, dealing with themes like balance, identity, and the fight between good and evil.
Characters and Themes
The characters are a mix of simple and complex. Prince Arren is a troubled young man, haunted by his actions and looking for meaning. Sparrowhawk is a mentor who guides him. Therru, a girl Arren helps, at first doesn’t trust him but later becomes important in the story
A key theme in the movie is the balance between life and death, and freedom and greed. This is shown in the story of dragons and humans once being one but choosing different paths.
Visuals and Soundtrack
The animation in Tales from Earthsea is beautiful, as expected from Studio Ghibli. The stormy seas, deserts, and fields are all wonderfully drawn. The music matches the visuals well, adding to the magical and serious mood of the film.
