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Better than anything Disney ever did Miyazaki's movies extol virtue. The lead character in this work derives her power from an understanding of the world in which she lives and from her unselfish service to others. Interestingly and in contrast with most movies this director rewards the good characters and punishes the bad without ever seeming formulaic. This movie is set in a post-apocalyptic world and reflects a strong environmentalist mindset--take care of the Earth and all that--but it is much more. As opposed to written works, movies do not have the time to explore characters and have to use shorthand to clue you in--the Japanese do this well. You would have to go as far as Kubrick's 2001 to find another movie as bizarrely imaginative as this one. My wife shakes her head when I keep bringing these Miyazaki movies home, but I've got to say that I find them so much more enjoyable than the typical movie offerings because they are so imaginative. Whether about bathhouses for spirits, flying pigs, evil cat kings, etc., these movies all demonstrate the value of being good and honorable--they are worthy entertainment.