The Wind Rises

            “The Wind Rises” is the newest Studio Ghibli film and is said to be the last one written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. Studio Ghibli is a Japanese Production Company that creates animated movies. The original version of this movie is in Japanese, but it has a dubbed version in English with the voices of Joseph Gordon-Levitt, John Krasinski, Emily Blunt and several other well known actors.

            I love Ghibli films. Seeing the style for the first time could turn some people away because it’s so different from what we are used to seeing in American animated movies. It can take some getting used to. After getting over the style difference, it’s easier to focus on the great storyline and the amazing way the animation looks. I find both of these elements in every Studio Ghibli film I see. “The Wind Rises” is very good and I urge everyone to see it. Rotten Tomatoes has this movie listed at an 88 percent fresh rating.

            This movie is about Jiro Horikoshi (Gordon-Levitt), who dreams about designing airplanes. This is based off his real life story. During the course of the film, major Japanese events take place. Another big plot point is that Jiro falls in love with a woman who is very sick. He has to spend his time worrying about her while also trying to complete his life’s dream of creating a great airplane.

            The storyline of this film is a little controversial. Jiro strives to make a great fighter plane for Japan to use in the big war. Although the movie is showing how the fighter planes were made that caused a lot of destruction in war, I believe the film is focusing on the man following his dreams. The other part of the plot that seems to be causing some division is the love story. It’s very enjoyable to watch, but at one point in the film, it seems the movie veers into a completely different direction. It goes from showing all about Jiro working on his dream to him falling in love. They seem like two completely different movies. However, it does tie both parts together in the third part of the film. Another thing that helps explain the sudden jump in storyline is a line Jiro’s friend says in the first part of the movie. He explains how it’s necessary to have a family to go home to in order to work.

            Something else that I believe makes a difference in the story is the language. I saw the Japanese version of the film with English subtitles. I liked seeing “The Wind Rises” in its original form. Seeing the film in Japanese made it feel more real, since the movie takes place in Japan during some historical times. I’m interested in seeing “The Wind Rises” again in English though to see if that changes the effectiveness of the story. I wonder how the English would influence my feelings about Jiro making the fighter planes. Also, I’m a big fan of Gordon-Levitt. I’d like to see the difference in the delivery of the lines and if it would change the emotional impact.

Along with the story, the way this movie looks is fantastic. I haven’t seen anything else like the Ghibli films. There are so many little details that make it seem so realistic. However, that’s combined with clearly animated features. For example, the sounds of the airplanes are obviously made by people making noises with their mouths. It’s an interesting combination that somehow works.

If this truly is the last film by Miyazaki, I suggest everyone see it in theaters if possible. Other great Studio Ghibli movies I’ve seen include “From Up on Poppy Hill,” “The Secret World of Arrietty,” “Ponyo,” “Howl’s Moving Castle,” “Spirited Away,” “Princess Mononoke,” “Whisper of the Heart,” “Grave of the Fireflies,” “My Neighbor Totoro” and “Castle in the Sky.” I encourage everyone to watch these movies and experience this fantastic production style.