Scooby Doo and the Alien Invaders

Castle in the Sky

(2000)

Sheeta, a young orphan, has been kidnapped by the military and is now watched over by Col. Muska. Her safety is their priority, but Sheeta doesn't trust her guardian. One evening their flying craft is attacked by pirates, Capt.
     Ma and her boys, and Sheeta is the treasure they are after. Narrowly escaping the pirates, Sheeta looses her grip on the side of the craft and falls below the clouds. There, the magic of the crystal pendant comes to life; she gently descends and is caught by young Pazu.
     Early the next day, Pazu and Sheeta find themselves running from both the military and the pirates. Again, the crystal comes to life, breaking the fall of the young people from the train trestle, as they race for freedom. In the safety of the underground mines, Pazu and Sheeta get a bite to eat and also meet Uncle Pom. It is from him they learn of the magic and power of the crystal.
     This mine is full of it and, according to Uncle Pom, the city of Laputa floats by its power. Encouraged that Laputa actually exists, the young pair begin their search, never far from the reach of Col. Muska. They team up with Capt. Ma (Dola) and the boys, only to be separated from them while on watch for Goliath, Col. Muska's ship, in the outer atmosphere of Laputa. Pazu and Sheeta crash on the surface of Laputa and are awed by its beauty and simplicity, yet its technology is beyond anything they can imagine. Once again, they find themselves pursued by Muska. What exactly is it he wants?
     To protect Sheeta? To lead the military to something? Or does he have his own objective?
     You will be caught up in the animation by Japanese master Hayao Miyazaki, the musical score by Joe Hisaishi, and the voice talents of Anna Paquin (Sheeta), James VanderBeek (Pazu), Cloris Leachman (Dola), and our Mark (Muska).
     The story involves mystery, adventure, imagination, and come-to-life characters: what's not to like?? "Castle in the Sky" is perhaps a family favorite, unless you have young ones who are very sensitive to roughness and mild violence directed at children. (Spoiler - Muska shoots Sheeta's pigtails off towards the end.)