Tales from Earthsea - Science Fiction Fantasy Chronicles: forums

Bant Warick · 17th August 2007, 07:33 PM

Watch out for spoilers
Just in case I have let slip.

Went to see this recently. Despite the average reviews it's been receiving I actually found myself enjoying the film. There are moments when it's obvious why it's not as good as previous films. i.e. The plot feels like it's just plodding along sometimes and it all feels very familiar if you have watched most of the previous ghibli films. But still, The film is an good one and you find yourself hoping the characters make it through. Also moments of the film just feel good when watching them, such as Sparrowhawks rescue of Arren or Theru's song (no cheesiness at all). overall it's not going to be the classic that spirited away or princess mononoke are, but it will still fill any gap you have if you haven't seen a studio ghibli film in a while.

Talysia · 17th August 2007, 07:42 PM

I've been a fan of Ghibli for a long time, so I'll be interested to see this one myself when I get the chance.

Siberian · 18th August 2007, 12:16 AM

How does it compare to books, anyone knows?

Melanie Nilles · 19th August 2007, 08:12 PM

I'd like to know how it compares to the books too. Ghibli ripped apart Howl's Moving Castle so the movie and book were two different but vaguely related entities (Or was it Miyazaki who did that?).

Thadlerian · 20th August 2007, 09:38 AM

According to Ursula Le Guin on her website, the movies compare rather poorly to the books. She seems rather displeased with the interpretation of the tone. Besides, the movie seems to take place on one big island, so the "sea" part of Earthsea becomes sort of meaningless.

From what I've seen of trailers, Goro seems to be borrowing very heavily from Hayao, especially from an old Miyazaki manga called The Journey of Shuna.

Overread · 2nd September 2007, 12:58 PM

Well it has to be better than the disaster that sci-fi channel produced - white people in the cast - did they even read the book? (wait silly question american producers never read the source material)

Azure · 8th September 2007, 09:17 AM

It's better than the Sci-fi channel one but not by that much. Everyone is still white, and the plot is very incoherant being a combination of two of the later books(Farthest Shore & Other Wind) . I suspect if you haven't read the books you'd get confused,and if you have you'd get annoyed.
It's OK but not top Ghibli at all.

Who's Wee Dug · 10th September 2007, 12:56 PM

I bought the four disc version in the Worldcon dealers room, it was the only thing apart t-shirt I bought as there were only two American dealers one with the con t-shirts & one with a very small quantity of books, suitcase size.

Only Worldcon where I have not bought any books because there was virtually none in english,found out there are not normally big on dealers rooms in Japan,and there was me making plans to have them shipped back.

GOLLUM · 3rd November 2007, 08:30 AM

I got a copy from the Dealer's room too. I've seen this film and actually liked it quite a bit. I gather Le Guin still wasn't pleased with the outcome but still better than that TV hash they made over in the states!

17th August 2007, 07:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
Bant Warick Guild wars addict Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Bristol Posts: 35	Tales from Earthsea Watch out for spoilers Just in case I have let slip. Went to see this recently. Despite the average reviews it's been receiving I actually found myself enjoying the film. There are moments when it's obvious why it's not as good as previous films. i.e. The plot feels like it's just plodding along sometimes and it all feels very familiar if you have watched most of the previous ghibli films. But still, The film is an good one and you find yourself hoping the characters make it through. Also moments of the film just feel good when watching them, such as Sparrowhawks rescue of Arren or Theru's song (no cheesiness at all). overall it's not going to be the classic that spirited away or princess mononoke are, but it will still fill any gap you have if you haven't seen a studio ghibli film in a while.

17th August 2007, 07:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
Talysia Lady of Autumn Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lincolnshire Posts: 4,672 Blog Entries: 17	Re: Tales from Earthsea I've been a fan of Ghibli for a long time, so I'll be interested to see this one myself when I get the chance.

18th August 2007, 12:16 AM	#3 (permalink)
Siberian Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 114	Re: Tales from Earthsea How does it compare to books, anyone knows?

19th August 2007, 08:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
Melanie Nilles SFF Writer Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: North Dakota Posts: 63	Re: Tales from Earthsea I'd like to know how it compares to the books too. Ghibli ripped apart Howl's Moving Castle so the movie and book were two different but vaguely related entities (Or was it Miyazaki who did that?).

20th August 2007, 09:38 AM	#5 (permalink)
Thadlerian Riftsound resident Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Norway Posts: 989	Re: Tales from Earthsea According to Ursula Le Guin on her website, the movies compare rather poorly to the books. She seems rather displeased with the interpretation of the tone. Besides, the movie seems to take place on one big island, so the "sea" part of Earthsea becomes sort of meaningless. From what I've seen of trailers, Goro seems to be borrowing very heavily from Hayao, especially from an old Miyazaki manga called The Journey of Shuna.

2nd September 2007, 12:58 PM	#6 (permalink)
Overread Direwolf of the chrons Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Suffolk Posts: 2,214 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Tales from Earthsea Well it has to be better than the disaster that sci-fi channel produced - white people in the cast - did they even read the book? (wait silly question american producers never read the source material)

8th September 2007, 09:17 AM	#7 (permalink)
Azure I should be writing Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Greater London Posts: 82	Re: Tales from Earthsea It's better than the Sci-fi channel one but not by that much. Everyone is still white, and the plot is very incoherant being a combination of two of the later books(Farthest Shore & Other Wind) . I suspect if you haven't read the books you'd get confused,and if you have you'd get annoyed. It's OK but not top Ghibli at all.

10th September 2007, 12:56 PM	#8 (permalink)
Who's Wee Dug Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Stirlingshire Posts: 653	Re: Tales from Earthsea I bought the four disc version in the Worldcon dealers room, it was the only thing apart t-shirt I bought as there were only two American dealers one with the con t-shirts & one with a very small quantity of books, suitcase size. Only Worldcon where I have not bought any books because there was virtually none in english,found out there are not normally big on dealers rooms in Japan,and there was me making plans to have them shipped back.

3rd November 2007, 08:30 AM	#9 (permalink)
GOLLUM Moderator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Australia, Victoria Posts: 9,197	Re: Tales from Earthsea I got a copy from the Dealer's room too. I've seen this film and actually liked it quite a bit. I gather Le Guin still wasn't pleased with the outcome but still better than that TV hash they made over in the states!