The Wind Rises (2014)

Animation legend Hayao Miyazaki has called –- only to retract the statement -- “The Wind Rises” his final film. Thank goodness. We need Miyazaki. “Wind” is unlike anything in Miyazaki’s past, eschewing pure fantasy, it’s a dream-heavy dramatic take on engineer Jiro Horikoshi (Hideaki Anno) who would design for the prototype fighter jet that would spawn the infamous Zero plane of World War II. Horikoshi -– an innocent whose dreams of piloting are mooted by poor eye sight and haunted by a devastating earthquake –- knows his designs will be used in war. His childhood dreams of flight were marked by scenes of war early on and as he grows older, the darkness only increases until a massive group of glimmering planes become a graveyard of wreckage. He proceeds anyway, despite his desire to build aircraft to improve, not dominate lives. “Wind” stops far short of calling Horikoshi’s work criminal. Could he have refused the work? Miyazaki introduces empirical reality as Horikoshi’s “patriotism” is questioned, and his romantic marriage is put to the side for work. Put aside politics and nationalism, this is great unequaled work of art, of a dreamer by one of our greatest dreamers. The animation here is breathtaking, unparalleled. A

Howl’s Moving Castle (2005)

The 2005 release “Howl’s Moving Castle” is my third Hayao Miyazaki film in as many months, and it’s as out-of-this-world magical as its sister films (“Spirited Away“ and “Ponyo”). A girl who works in her late father’s hat shop encounters in a single day a kindly but eccentric wizard named Howl and a self-fawning, cruel witch. The former saves Sophie’s life, while the latter sets a spell that turns lass into old lady. The stricken Sophie flees home, only to encounter the titular structure, a (literally) roaming mishmash of dozens of castles, houses and cottages. "Howl" casts its own spell with a surreal plot, shifting character loyalties and -- hands down -- some of the best animation I’ve ever laid eyes on. Miyazaki’s films have become my favorite film fantasy outlets of recent, and “Howl” delivers: The sites, images and many places see here have never been done before. The American dub has Christian Bale as Howl, Emily Mortimer as (young) Sophie and Billy Crystal as a fireplace demon. The last thankfully low key. A

Spirited Away (2002) and Ponyo (2009)

Until just recently, I had not yet seen a Hayao Miyazaki film. Shame on me. This brilliant animator is a reminder that hand-drawn can out ‘wow’ even Pixar’s best computer effects. Plus, his films have deep themes and wonderful characters to match the visuals. Wow.

“Spirited Away” is intricate, imaginative and beautifully bizarre, and even two viewings don’t do its themes justice. That the plot can’t be summed up in a movie poster tagline is a treat onto itself. Long story short: Whiny pre-teen Chihiro must grow up fast after she and her parents become trapped at a derelict supernatural theme park that is anchored by a mysterious bathhouse. The kicker: Chihiro’s parents have been turned into pigs, and she alone must save them. The animation is pure magic: Every scene has depth – rooms look full and packed, as do stairs and even a rail car, and when characters collide into each other or into walls, you can feel the impact. There’s blood, and it looks sinewy and real. As Chihiro becomes the hero, it’s a pleasure to be by her side. Hell, Miyazaki’s fascinating world made me want to be inside the action. The voice cast, even in the American dub, is flawless. An absolute gem of animation. A+

“Ponyo” is geared toward a younger crowd, but has such a joyful surreal bounce to it, that the ride is equally enjoyable for adults. Here, a young boy finds a fish by his ocean island home. But, this is no ordinary fish. Ponyo, once she tastes bloods, can turn into a human girl. The film follows the boy, his mother, toddler Ponyo, her father – a protector of the water, and her mother – a goddess of the ocean. Bold colors, wide eyes and “monstrous” waves with scowling eyes all sparkle like the best children’s picture book ever given life. It’s not a homerun, though. Two of the major celebrity voices in the English dub don’t work. Mainly, Liam Neeson as the fatherly protector of oceans. With an unmistakable sound of stern male authority, I never once believed his was the voice of such an oddball, clumsy antagonist. Equally, Cate Blanchett is playing off her “LOTR” elf while voicing the goddess. The effect distracts. A-

Favorites: Animated Full-length

Heavy on the Disney, I know.

1. Toy Story (1995)
2. Pinocchio (1940)
3. The Incredibles (2004)
4. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
5. Spirited Away (2002)
6. Peter Pan (1953)
7. WALL-E (2008)
8. One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)
9. Persepolis (2007)
10. The Lion King (1994)