Miyazaki’s latest film, “The Boy and the Heron,” follows a young boy named Mahito after the death of his mother forces him and his father to relocate and start a new life. Upon the discovery of a tower that takes him to an alternate world, Mahito must save his stepmother who gets lost in the unknown world.

World-building stands as Miyazaki’s specialty. He establishes worlds beyond Earth that both wow and confuse audiences. The world in “The Boy and the Heron” feels like an “Alice in Wonderland”-esque fantasy land that always brings something new to showcase. The detail will suck viewers into the screen with every color, creature and architectural decision choice, making for a visual treat sure to leave audiences speechless.

Miyazaki also crafts this world in a way that pushes the narrative forward rather than making spontaneous decisions meant to shock. It feels lived-in and believable despite its fantastical rules and non-adherence to the laws of physics binding the movie’s real world together.

In line with most Miyazaki films, the story can get a bit confusing. Fortunately, this doesn’t work against the purpose of the film and its exploration of grief and change, it just means the audience may need to pay a bit more attention than normal. The cast of actors also aids this by giving nuanced and emotional performances. Each one gives their all and allows viewers to sympathize with them and relate to their situation.

Studio Ghibli films serve up remarkable music, and this one makes for no exception. The music manages to set the tone in ways most animated movies don’t. On top of that, the music’s feeling matches the animation style in a way that unifies them into one living entity. This soundtrack will stick with audiences weeks after the credits roll.

“The Boy and the Heron” may not be anything groundbreaking for a Miyazaki film, but it’s a satisfying return for the talented filmmaker and will have audiences in awe and distraught throughout the entire narrative.

4 herons out of 5