“…a story about storytelling, and how folk tales and real life can intermingle.”

“Here and there, it’s as if the mythology of Tolkien has been filtered through the imagery of Miyazaki.”

“…a visual swoon over the delights of flight.”

“…compiles pop-culture references and genre tropes that are not only crudely envisioned, but often downright contradictory to the story at hand.”

“…true to the camaraderie of boys who have been left alone to roam on their bikes.”

“…as buoyant as you’d expect from a movie largely set amidst the clouds.”

“…still functions as a potent moral tale, this time with a particular awareness of patriarchal oppression.”

“At once enchanting and emboldening…”

“…has a refreshing lightness that’s rare in animation these days.”

“…as if they took the adage that the ‘sequel is never quite as good’ as permission, rather than a challenge.”