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Every so often, I like to revisit some of my favourite Studio Ghibli films, and this 1988 classic fantasy animation is right up there amongst my very favourites. For me, Hayao Miyazaki is one of the top three film directors of all-time. His body of work, this film included, speaks for itself. I adore this classic so much, and it holds a very special place in my heart.

The film has a beautiful soundtrack, composed by Joe Hisaishi, who was also the executive producer. It mixes nostalgia with fantasy to create a sometimes sombre but always wondrous sound. It's a soundtrack that takes me back to my childhood, to my sisters, and to that feeling of adventure we had when exploring new places growing up.

I don't need to remind anyone of how good the animation in Studio Ghibli films are, but, for the sake of emphasis, I would say that the film is breathtakingly animated. It is truly a beautiful-looking film. The style of Studio Ghibli has always been immaculate, and I think their creativity shines through in this film, with the deft mixing of fantasy and realism, on a visual and thematic scale.

The narrative is contemplative, relaxed, and magical. There is no traditional antagonist, no major conflict, only the trials of growing older and of living with change, and with grief. In that regard, it is one of the sweetest films about coping with grief and change you'll ever watch. It is also a quietly mysterious film. After all, nobody knows quite what the enigmatic spirit, from which the film takes its name, is, or represents.

As always with Studio Ghibli films, I watch this with the English dubbing. However, my most recent viewing of this film was a little different. Growing up, I watched the film with the original 90's dubbing, but, because I streamed it this time, I quickly realised that the version I was watching had the updated 2005 Disney dubbing, which has a different cast.

Dakota Fanning, who was 11 at time, and her sister Elle Fanning, who was 7, play the two sisters. It took a little getting used to, due to my familiarity with the previous voice cast, but, for what it's worth, they did a good job. I think nostalgia makes me prefer the original dubbing a little more, though, if I'm being honest.

The supporting cast all did a pretty fine job in their own right, with voices lent by the likes of Tim Daly, Pat Carroll, Lea Salonga, Frank Welker, and Paul Butcher. Each character feels unique, and serves some purpose in the development of the stories of the two girls. Again, likely due to sentimental feelings, I prefer the original voice dubbing audio, but this is not a bad cast at all.

Overall, I think this quaint little fantasy film is one of the most magical animated films you can watch. It's aged marvellously, and feels like the kind of film you can show your children at any age, and they'll pick up something different each time. It's a beautiful story, with a river of Miyazaki's personal history running through it - an absolute must-watch for Studio Ghibli and fantasy film fans.