The Wind Rises

                If there is a man that defines legend, it’s Hayao Miyazaki. This man has been one of the biggest inspirations of the animation department for over forty years, getting his start of business with the first “Lupin the Third” series back in the 70’s. Since then, he’s made classics such as “Castle in the Sky,” “Kiki’s Delivery Service,” “Ponyo,” “Howl’s Moving Castle,” “Princess Mononoke,” and “Spirited Away,” all of which are some of my favorite films of all time. He really knows how to capture some of the most breathtaking visuals and create such magnificent worlds that have inspired other great film makers and animators alike.

                Sadly, he’s announced that he’s finally putting a close to his career, and finally retiring…for real this time. So to end it out, he’s chosen to give us the Academy Award nominated film, “The Wind Rises.” And let me just say, if this film was released in the U.S. the same time it was in Japan, I would have IMMEDIATELY put it up with my favorite films of the year list.

                “The Wind Rises” tells of Jiro Horikoshi, a young boy who dreams of becoming one of the finest plane mechanics who ever lived. During his time growing up, he works down to the bone to deliver a creation that will showcase Japan’s talents and get them up to date with technology. However, what he’ll soon realize is that the planes he’s designing will be of usage to the Nazis during World War II.

                While not a 100% biography of Jiro, as there are moments that do feel romanticized, it doesn’t take away from what it’s trying to tell here. It’s telling the story of a boy who tries to hold onto the dreams he’s had since childhood. For the most part, the film mostly focuses on Jiro trying to find the way to make his dream come properly, without it falling to pieces in the test run, even if he’s told to go as far as learn some designs from Nazi engineers. While Miyazaki has stuck to making stories for families of all ages, this one is a pure adult film. It’s not an R rated film, heavens forbid, but it does manage to treat the audience like adults here, showing the struggles a man has gone through for his work, especially when he finally finds love that he knows will be taken from him. In my mind, it may be Miyazaki’s most realistic film, despite a few goofy moments.

                The American voice cast is filled with good choices in my book; when it comes to Studio Ghibli films being dubbed in English, they really know how to get on-screen actors to perform excellently well here. Emily Blunt, John Krasinski, Martin Short, William H. Macy, Stanley Tucci, and Elijah Wood really pull through here, really capturing their characters as if they WERE these characters. We also have an appearance from Mae Whitman, who was the only true voice actress I caught in this film, and I thought that was a nice touch there. However, what really worked for me was Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Jiro. Throughout a majority of the film, or hell the entire movie; I completely forgot that was him in the role. His quiet tone and subtlety made this performance work especially well. This is the best voice acting job I’ve seen him do since “Treasure Planet.”

                As for the animation, do I even need to say anything about? I mean, it’s Miyazaki, traditional hand-drawn animation, and it is absolutely magnificent. I almost thought I was going to cry, knowing that this will probably be the last film I’ll ever see by such a great artist. But at the same time, I’m glad he’s doing it, because we all knew it would happen sooner or later; and if I DIDN’T see this in the theater, I would have regretted it immensely. I just hope that future generations will be able to appreciate not just the legacy of this man, but the impact of traditional animation as a whole, since it’s becoming a dying art.

                If you’re a longtime Miyazaki fan, like me, then there is no reason for you to not see “The Wind Rises.” It’s a beautiful work of art, and is a true swan song to quite possibly the greatest animator who ever lived. With it nominated for an Academy Award tomorrow night, I wouldn’t be surprised if it managed to win. And if it doesn’t, I’m at least glad it was given the nomination.

Long live the great Hayao Miyazaki!

Rating: 10/10