Tales from Earthsea

"Tales from Earthsea" is an anomaly in the Ghibli catalogue. The first film by Goro Miyazaki (son of Hayao Miyazaki, Ghibli's ace) is an adaptation of a work of multi-volume children's literature, and as such is filled with the type of mythology and grandeur that may seem more at home in a serial adventure.

The film follows the adventures of Prince Arren and the wizard Sparrowhawk, who seek to bring peace to their universe. Animals and weather patterns alike are out of whack -- nature is out of balance -- and they've found themselves among the few able to figure out why. Battles with dragons and raging storms await. If Ghibli's other films emit at a whisper, the younger Miyazaki's first film is a hoarse battle cry.

Disney's Blu-ray release of "Earthsea" comes with the standard Ghibli extra features. For starters: There's the storyboarded presentation of the film (which presents the entire movie in a sketched, unfinished format) as well as trailers and television advertisements from the film's original Japanese release.

The most significant special feature, surprisingly enough, has nothing to do with the animation at all; it's focused on the soundtrack. "The Birth Story of a Film Soundtrack" runs for a full hour, tracking the production of Tamiya Terashima's score from the first draft through the final recording, unreservedly documenting his struggles -- and his clashes with Miyazaki -- along the way.

Finally, there's also a four-minute long "Origins of Earthsea" featurette, which links the film to the rest of the projects completed at Studio Ghibli. And indeed, "Earthsea" has a picturesque quality that all Ghibli films share, even if it's imagery and tone diverts in a new direction. Goro Miyazaki's compositions are filled with deep, dark-hued colors, often of contrasting shades. It looks a bit like the old "swords-and-sandals" epics of the past, filled with images of red cloaks against weathered walls, and brown horses streaking against the backdrop of a dark blue sky.

In straining for an epic tone, Goro Miyazaki's first film never found the poetic rhythms of Ghibli's other works. But it remains gorgeous to look at, if nothing else.

"Tales from Earthsea"
Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack
Disney.com
$34.95