Nausicaä: More Than Just Another Animated Flick (But Still...)

Okay, so I finally got around to watching Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind after years of hearing about it. I'll admit, the visuals are stunning, even by today's standards. The way Miyazaki depicts the toxic jungle, that's just... memorable, in a genuinely unsettling way. And Nausicaä herself? A compelling protagonist, no doubt. She's not just some damsel in distress, she's actively trying to understand and bridge the gap between humanity and the natural world, even when everyone around her is ready to blow it all to kingdom come. The scene where she calms the Ohmu after its baby gets killed? Powerful stuff. But...and there's always a but isn't there? I found the pacing a bit uneven at times. There were moments where I felt like the story was dragging, especially in the middle act. The Tolmekians, while clearly the antagonists, felt a little one-dimensional. Couldn't we have gotten some more nuance there? And the whole God Warrior sequence, while visually impressive, felt almost… tacked on. Like it was there more for spectacle than actual narrative purpose. It's a classic, yeah, but I don't know to the the degree some people would argue (I'm looking at YOU, Dave!) Don't get me wrong, it's a thought-provoking film, and the environmental themes are as relevant today as they were in 1984. The idea that humanity's arrogance and destruction will ultimately lead to its own downfall is a potent message. It's just... I think some of the hype surrounding it might inflate expectations a bit. It's definitely worth watching, especially if you're into animation or environmental storytelling, but go into it with realistic expectations. One last thought: the worms are just so realistic. That part where the one worm almost eats Yupa? Terrifying. 8/10 would reccomend.