In Need of a Bit More Wizardry
These are troubled timed for the land of Earthsea as evil is gaining power across the land and causing the balance which once held the nations of man and dragon together to become divided. As he walks the land a wizard by the name of Sparrowhawk comes across Arren, a child with a tormented soul and so takes him to the home of Tenar and Therru where they become a quasi family. But it seems Arren is not the boy's real name and the evil Lord Cob becomes interested in the boy and his true identity as it may be the key to unlocking and almighty power.
"Tales from Earthsea" is the first animation from Studio Ghibli which hasn't really wowed me and I actually found the back story more entertaining. Evidently legendary animator Hayao Miyazaki had wanted to adapt the Le Guin "Earthsea" stories for some time but could not get permission from the author who had not seen a Studio Ghibli movie before, when Le Guin did she gave permission but it is said that Hayao was tied up on another animation and so producer Toshio Suzuki decided to go with Miyazaki's untested son Goro which lead to tension at Studio Ghibli especially between father and son which once you watch "Tales from Earthsea" you get a sense that Goro incorporated some of that tension in to the story. As I said, I find that behind the scenes story much more interesting than the final movie.
So what is wrong with "Tales from Earthsea"? Well having never read any of the "Earthsea" stories I don't know how much has been changed in turning them in to animation but going on this they don't seem that amazing. This story of magic, dragons and wizards ends up surprisingly flat and all a little too serious. For me it needed more light and darkness, drama and humour to bring the story to life and to also bring the characters to life who like the story end up strangely flat.
But then there is the animation and I hate to pile on the negative but unfortunately "Tales from Earthsea" more often than not looks visually ordinary. Oh there are some nice touches here and there but the level of detail which you associate with Studio Ghibli doesn't manifest itself.
What this all boils down to is that "Tales from Earthsea" ends up just an animation rather than another great Studio Ghibli movie. In fairness to Goro Miyazaki this was his first movie and whilst as a whole "Tales from Earthsea" didn't work for me some of the touches do impress. Maybe for those who have read the stories will be able to enjoy it more knowing already some of the detail.
