A scene from "The Red Turtle."

“The Red Turtle,” one of the nominees for Best Animated Feature, at this year’s Academy Awards is a beautifully crafted epic from Studio Ghibli that takes a simple story and expands it with superb visuals and unexpected power and grace.

“Turtle” tells the story of  a man shipwrecked on a deserted island, who uses the resources around him to build a raft to attempt to escape. Those attempts are thwarted by an enormous sea turtle who seems intent on having him stay. The man tries to kill the turtle only to have something happen that begin’s a new chapter in the man’s life and leads him to understand that nature must take its course.

Written and directed by Michael Dudok de Wit, this is a film that is both simplistic and complex at the same time. There is practically no dialogue here, with the visuals telling the story.

And what a story it tells, incorporating themes of family and nature that resonate strongly throughout the film’s 80 minute running time. 

The animation is crisp and the visuals of the island are impressive, drawing the audience into the world from the opening frame until the final shot.

It may be complex, but there is still enough that even the youngest in the family will be engaged.

This is worthy of its Oscar nomination – and a nice entry into the Studio Ghibli category.

Directed by: Michael Dudok de Wit

Rating: PG for some thematic elements and peril

Playing at: Belcourt Theater in Nashville (Opens Friday)

Grade: B+