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Hard disagree with a lot said here. Watched both the film and this series (though haven't got around to finishing it yet) for the first time last year, and the

Hard disagree with a lot said here. Watched both the film and this series (though haven't got around to finishing it yet) for the first time last year, and the series lacks a lot of what makes the film great. The film has some interesting zen-like qualities like duality, and a more complex set of morals. The series just feels like most modern creations with a pretty bland right vs wrong. The film is also almost entirely practical effects, which are incredible (the behind the scenes footage is amazing), while the series leans a bit too heavily on CGI in parts, which detracts from the action a bit (à la LoTR vs The Hobbit). Given this piece I might go back to finish it now (and from another comment possibly upgrade my TV), but I still think I'll prefer the film.

jhbadger 2y ago
Yeah, the whole point of the original is that the Mystics and Skeksis were both flawed societies (even if the Skeksis were closer to the normal meaning of "evil") and the ending unites them rather than having the Skeksis destroyed.
- engineer_22 2y ago
  The Netflix show is a prequel, setting up the story of how the gelfling were wiped out
  - jhbadger 2y ago
    Right, but it still takes place after the Mystics and Skeksis split off from each other. The Gelflings were really just irrelevant bystanders to the real story even if we the audience see the story from their perspective in both the movie and show.
    - mock-possum 2y ago
      Isn’t that the point, in some regards? The urSkeks were alien invaders who committed genocide and caused widespread environmental destruction - it’s their ambition that drives the plot forward, it’s their powet and their willingness to wield it - without that, nothing would have happened on this wholesome sleepy little planet, you know? How do you, as a Gelfling, navigate your life, in the shadow of these incredible creatures? That’s what the story tells - you worship them as gods, you treat them cautiously as potential allies or enemies, you rise in rebellion to eject them from your world - and maybe in the end you find a new peace and balance. I do think that mystic and skeksis perspectives are present, in little peeks and glimpses, but I would still welcome another excursion into Thra to find out more about what their lives are like.
      - engineer_22 2y ago
        i find the AoR to be subtle enough about what is right and wrong to be entertaining. good number of plot twists and hooks. a shame the garthim war wasn't covered... but maybe 20-30 years and they'll return to it
donatj 2y ago
If you have not seen "Princess Mononoke", I highly recommend it. I rewatched it recently and the people and creatures on both sides of the conflict are neither really good nor evil. Just two opposing forces with different goals. It offers a level of subtlety I have not seen often in film, particularly since Star Wars.
- tmountain 2y ago
  Very common in eastern storytelling. Ghibli films are some of my favorite for many reasons, but I particularly love how they contrast ideas.
  - icu 2y ago
    I think Studio Ghibli's 'secret sauce' is the "Kishōtenketsu" or four act structure that makes Studio Ghibli special: 1. Ki (Introduction) - Sets up characters and situation. 2. Shō (Development) - Expands the characters and fleshes them out. 3. Ten (Twist) - Introduces a new element or change. 4. Ketsu (Conclusion) - Shows the outcome and connections between elements. In contrast Western films usually follow a three act structure: 1. Setup - Introduces the hero, often stepping into the unknown, and establishes the initial conflict and sets the stage for the story. 2. Confrontation - The hero faces mounting challenges and conflicts, often involving threats to innocent people or community. Stakes are raised and the story progresses to a conclusion. 3. Resolution - The story culminates in a climatic confrontation between the hero and the villain. Some sacrifice is usually paid, the hero triumphs, justice is served and order returns to the community. I grew up on Disney and the three act structure, so when I experienced Studio Ghibli for the first time with Princess Mononoke it felt very different, fresh and more mature. While I don't necessarily love all of Studio Ghibli's catalogue, I do treasure Princess Mononoke, Kiki's Delivery Service, and Porco Rosso. In the case of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, I highly recommend reading the manga over watching the Studio Ghibli anime.
    - chuckadams 2y ago
      They look like the same steps to me, with steps 1 and 2 both being Setup. The dramatic arc is fairly universal, and Miyazaki is hardly an exotic unfamiliar with western culture.

jhbadger 2y ago

Yeah, the whole point of the original is that the Mystics and Skeksis were both flawed societies (even if the Skeksis were closer to the normal meaning of "evil") and the ending unites them rather than having the Skeksis destroyed.

engineer_22 2y ago
The Netflix show is a prequel, setting up the story of how the gelfling were wiped out
- jhbadger 2y ago
  Right, but it still takes place after the Mystics and Skeksis split off from each other. The Gelflings were really just irrelevant bystanders to the real story even if we the audience see the story from their perspective in both the movie and show.
  - mock-possum 2y ago
    Isn’t that the point, in some regards? The urSkeks were alien invaders who committed genocide and caused widespread environmental destruction - it’s their ambition that drives the plot forward, it’s their powet and their willingness to wield it - without that, nothing would have happened on this wholesome sleepy little planet, you know? How do you, as a Gelfling, navigate your life, in the shadow of these incredible creatures? That’s what the story tells - you worship them as gods, you treat them cautiously as potential allies or enemies, you rise in rebellion to eject them from your world - and maybe in the end you find a new peace and balance. I do think that mystic and skeksis perspectives are present, in little peeks and glimpses, but I would still welcome another excursion into Thra to find out more about what their lives are like.
    - engineer_22 2y ago
      i find the AoR to be subtle enough about what is right and wrong to be entertaining. good number of plot twists and hooks. a shame the garthim war wasn't covered... but maybe 20-30 years and they'll return to it

donatj 2y ago

If you have not seen "Princess Mononoke", I highly recommend it. I rewatched it recently and the people and creatures on both sides of the conflict are neither really good nor evil. Just two opposing forces with different goals. It offers a level of subtlety I have not seen often in film, particularly since Star Wars.

tmountain 2y ago
Very common in eastern storytelling. Ghibli films are some of my favorite for many reasons, but I particularly love how they contrast ideas.
- icu 2y ago
  I think Studio Ghibli's 'secret sauce' is the "Kishōtenketsu" or four act structure that makes Studio Ghibli special: 1. Ki (Introduction) - Sets up characters and situation. 2. Shō (Development) - Expands the characters and fleshes them out. 3. Ten (Twist) - Introduces a new element or change. 4. Ketsu (Conclusion) - Shows the outcome and connections between elements. In contrast Western films usually follow a three act structure: 1. Setup - Introduces the hero, often stepping into the unknown, and establishes the initial conflict and sets the stage for the story. 2. Confrontation - The hero faces mounting challenges and conflicts, often involving threats to innocent people or community. Stakes are raised and the story progresses to a conclusion. 3. Resolution - The story culminates in a climatic confrontation between the hero and the villain. Some sacrifice is usually paid, the hero triumphs, justice is served and order returns to the community. I grew up on Disney and the three act structure, so when I experienced Studio Ghibli for the first time with Princess Mononoke it felt very different, fresh and more mature. While I don't necessarily love all of Studio Ghibli's catalogue, I do treasure Princess Mononoke, Kiki's Delivery Service, and Porco Rosso. In the case of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, I highly recommend reading the manga over watching the Studio Ghibli anime.
  - chuckadams 2y ago
    They look like the same steps to me, with steps 1 and 2 both being Setup. The dramatic arc is fairly universal, and Miyazaki is hardly an exotic unfamiliar with western culture.