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Since their first film in 1984, Japanese animation house Studio Ghibli have built up a formidable reputation as creators of consistently excellent output, much in the same way as Pixar in the US. Most of the studio's films have come from the fertile imagination of Hayao Miyazaki, including 2001's Spirited Away, which garnered the studio worldwide acclaim and publicity, ultimately winning the Best Animated Film Oscar at the 2003 ceremony. Tales from Earthsea, based on Ursula Le Guin's fantasy novels, is the first film from Miyazaki's son Goro and has caused some controversy since its release, with the author herself stating a degree of displeasure with the changes that were made from her source material.
The film starts off very strongly, opening on an image of a ship battling through a violent storm. Two dragons are seen fighting in the sky above them, one of whom is killed, and this is seen as a terrible omen. The story from that point then focuses on a young runaway Prince called Arren who is saved from death by Ged, a wandering wizard. Together they go on a journey across the land to investigate the source of the oncoming darkness. The first act of the film is excellent, with beautiful designs of the locations and a fast pace. Several intriguing themes are introduced, creating a rich and interesting world. The animation quality is perhaps not quite as fluid and impressive as Ghibli has produced in the past - the film had a very rushed production schedule - but it's not bad enough to hamper the enjoyment.
Unfortunately at about the halfway point the plot comes to a virtual halt for quite a substantial length of time, and after this point the scope of the story is not expanded upon at all; what promised to be an epic and exciting adventure turns into something altogether smaller scale and less interesting. Frustratingly, not all of the plot points go anywhere, such as the plague and drought that are affecting the populace, of which no evidence is seen after the opening section. It's a disappointment because the film ends up being a missed opportunity. It begins as something like a Final Fantasy game mixed with The Lord of the Rings but ends as something far less ambitious and compelling. Tales from Earthsea is worth seeing for Japanese anime fans, but for others it's probably not the best place to start.
The summary
Tales from Earthsea is an intriguing fantasy adventure that starts very well but ultimately isn't as complex and deep as it aspires to be.
