What It's About:

Centuries after global war has nearly obliterated the Earth, eco-conscious Princess Nausicaa (Lohman) rules the people of the Valley of the Wind, who survive at the edges of a sickened, ever-spreading forest guarded by the Ohmu, a race of intelligent monster insects. As inter-clan rivalries and endless wars with the Ohmu bedevil her people, Nausicaa attempts to restore the fragile bond between Earth and its human inhabitants.

Why I Love It:

The exhilarating first feature by "Spirited Away" director-animator Miyazaki, "Nausicaa" is an epic masterpiece about an issue very much on the minds of young people today: sustainable living and the future of our planet. Borrowing its apocalyptic scenario from Miyazaki's own manga originals, this dark fantasia pits a band of warrior activists against the encroachment of a poisonous environment. As always with Miyazaki, this is a world where good and evil coexist, sometimes in the same character. Splendid visuals, great voice acting by Thurman, Stewart, and Lohman, and an absorbing finale make this a science-fiction film with a heart, mind, and message.