Tales from Earthsea: Review By Diaigma

"Deny death and you deny life." - Arren

Gravity maintains this law: what goes up must come down. While Studio Ghibli maintains its standing as an animation powerhouse in Japan - and the world - it was only a matter of time before a summoned production failed to amount to the near-flawless quality of the ones before. This doesn't bode well for director Goro Miyazaki, proving that father is not always like son. Boasting colorful scenes and a dynamic score, Tales from Earthsea has the makings of a classic Ghibli film, but like the lead's inability to care about his life, there's little to care about for this story and its unengaging characters.

Long ago, men and dragons were one. Those who sought land and treasure became human, while those who cherished life and freedom remained dragons, but when dragons start to kill each other, everyone knows that something is terribly out of balance. What's worse is the death of a great and wise king, and his sword taken, by his own son. The powerful archmage Sparrowhawk finds the boy and takes him under his "wing," not knowing the demon that follows him constantly. All of this is part of a grand scheme for Lord Cob, a sorcerer who seeks the boy to live forever. Will Arren redeem himself and restore the world, or will his fear of death keep him from living?

I regretfully have not yet read the novels by Ursula K. Le Guin, which this film is loosely based on, but I understand it is a fine series with a unique fantasy setting that equals the likes of Tolkien and Lewis. I hope that rings true, that this film is not a direct translation from the source.

(The dubbing certainly wasn't)

A great challenge for storytellers is presenting a main character that an audience can support and root for while not being entirely likable. Naruto is good example, but such is not the case for our young Arren, in this feature. The same goes for most of the characters (howbeit well casted), who are too vague for their own good with goals that are so obliquely weak, it's arguably laughable. Furthermore, the story focuses on needless detractors, that by the time the magic sword is drawn, it's not at all impressive. Arren kicked plenty of butt with that thing sheathed.

It should have stayed that way.

I will admit that Earthsea has a few redeeming qualities that make up for the above rant. The score by Tamiya Terashima is mesmerizing and fits the feel and mystery of this world. I wanted to buy the soundtrack the moment the end credits rolled - and I did. There's plenty of visual feasting for the eyes, too. Gorgeous settings: oceanic, country - I'd say it's one of the more vibrant and detailed of the Ghibli hall-of-fame.

This telling of Earthsea boils down to a basic fantasy film with every trope in the book, which wouldn't be so bad if the elements were applied in a more unique fashion. For an escapist, this is a passable watch, but don't let the poster fool you. For as much talk as there is about dragons, there's hardly any, except one, that exists for the sake of convenience.

***

Rated PG-13: for some violent images

Directed by Goro Miyazaki

Runtime: 115 minutes

(By Movieweb's Diaigma: resemblance to other reviews is coincidental)