Pixar drifts Tokyo

Remember Pixar's Cars? Good film, that. And not just because it featured the handsome, gravelly voice of Lieutenant Clarkson himself.



Well, Pixar's now working on Cars 2, set to hit the silver screen in 2011. But to tide us over until then, the cuddly Disney CGI-merchants have created an animated short starring Mater, Lightning McQueen and, er, the other ones. No Clarkson vocals, sadly, but it's bloody brilliant nonetheless.



Essentially it's a magnificent parody of The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, featuring heaps of modified Japanese metal and spoilers the size of, well, we won't spoil it for you, but take a look. It's brilliant.

Whether you're six or 60, it's well worth taking six minutes and 35 seconds out of your day to watch. Honest - even sensible, sedate grown-ups are allowed to watch this one. At least two or three of you out there must fit that description?

Synopsis : Tenkuu no Shiro Rapyuta

Laputa: Castle in the Sky

It's a world out of time, in a quiet mining town, a world where a young boy's dreams (Pazu) soar as high as the mythical floating island known as Laputa. Pazu's dreams are about to be realized, when Sheeta, unconscious teenage girl, floating down from the sky, saved only by a mysterious, glowing pendant, a pendant comprised of Levitation Crystal, the supposed power of Laputa itself.

Sheeta looking through the window on government airship

Upon rescuing her, Pazu learns that she has escaped from an airborne battle miles above the earth. Together they set off in search of a legendary floating castle from a lost civilization, and vow to unravel the mystery of the life-saving crystal found around Sheeta's neck. Their quest won't be easy. There are pirates, army and government agents which are greed and astounding obstacles to keep them from the truth and from each other. Now, pursued by pirates and Secret Service agents alike, Sheeta and Pazu seek the fabled island to fulfill Pazu's dreamquest and learn the secrets of Sheeta's clouded heritage.

Sheeta & Pazu floating from the train rail when pursuit from the pirates & agents with governments

Mooska, the leader of the agent which one of the "kaum kerabat" Laputa family. In order to get his hands on a Levistone, this man was sent as a special agent and make a relation with government. At last, he betray his agent and the government for his selfishness which only to get the power of the Levistone.

Laputa view from high sky

Mooska corners Sheeta in the city's throne room. He brandishes a handgun at her, blasting off her plaits and threatening to shoot off her ears next. Pazu then enters, holding a large gun and asking for a moment to talk to Sheeta, which Mooska grants. Together, the two children decide to use the Spell of Destruction; with a single word, the pendant releases an enormous power surge that triggers the collapse of the city's core. Mooska is blinded and subsequently falls to his death; Sheeta and Pazu are hurled into the tangle of roots from the giant tree. Afterward, they find their way back to the glider and leave Laputa.

Pazu & Sheeta with the gardener robot at Laputa yard

The Dola pirates also survive Laputa's destruction aboard their moth fighters, and are overjoyed to be reunited with Sheeta and Pazu in midair. The pirates and the children bid each other a fond farewell and part ways. Meanwhile, the remains of Laputa, held together by the tree, continue to rise, until they apparently establish an orbit high above the earth.

Pazu & Sheeta use single word spell for destruction of the Laputa

With just the right balance of fantasy, adventure and comedy, Castle in the Sky is a magical animated masterpiece you’ll never forget.

Synopsis : Tonari no Totoro

Tonari no Totoro

Satsuke and Mei waiting thier father at bus stop

Two young girls, Satsuke and her younger sister Mei, move into a house in the country with their father to be closer to their hospitalized mother. Satsuke and Mei discover that the nearby forest is inhabited by magical creatures. To their surprise they find that they share this home with some these unusual creatures, when they stumble into the hollow of a giant camphor tree and meet a giant furry character called Totoro. They soon be friend these Totoros, and have several magical scene.

Mei chasing the small Totoros into the champhor tree

Totoro and his friends cannot be seen by adults, only by the children who have the capacity to believe in them. All is well with the two young girls until a telegram arrives from the hospital told that their mother won't be visiting them as planned. Adventure presides when Mei decides to run off to Shichikokuyama Hospital, with some corn that she picked from the neighbour’s (bachan) garden after hears that her mother's condition may be worsening. When everyone realizes she's missing, only Totoro knows how to find her. Totoro is called to the rescue when trouble occurs.

Mei and Satsuke with "meowing" cat bus on a tree looking to thier parents at hospital

One thing that really attached me to this movie is the freedom, sincerity and variety of emotional expression the characters use especially the two young girls and Totoro, their furry forest friend. There are lot of magical adventures to be found in this movie, from flying with umbrellas to catching a giant living and "meowing" cat bus that leaps from tree top to tree top to get around.

Although the girls' mother is in the hospital, and the youngest girl, Mei, gets lost and found, there is nothing disturbing about this movie. It is very gentle. The animation is colourful and expressionating, and the characters are youthful, lovable, and free spirited.