Howl's Moving Castle
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Movie Reviews of Howl's Moving Castle
Movie Review: Hayao Miyazaki is back with Howl's Moving Castle
Summary: 5 Stars
Hayao Miyazaki returns from his award winning movie Spirited Away, and once again, where the land of Hayao Miyazaki, were the town looks the same no matter who the characters, or even the title of the movie. Of all of Hayao Miyazaki's works, I have only seen Kiki's Delivery Serivce, Spirited Away, and now this movie, and I have to make it a point to see some of the others he made. As the movie opens, Sophie (Emily Mortimer) works in her family's business making hats, she leaves to go to the bakery, and then meets a yong wizard named Howl (Christian Bale), when she gets caught by 2 guards. He rescures her, and takes her to his castle, that moves which we later learn by a talking fire demand named Calcifer (Billy Crystal). She returns home to find a sorceress, named Madame Suliman (Blythe Danner), and when she ignore her warnngs of of Howl, she turns her into a old woman (Jean Simmons). She sleeps in late, and manges to eacpe, while turing to get the curse that is put on her off, and before she knows it she has a walking scarecrow following her that she nicknames Turniphead. And her bepromes a good deed for her, she askign him to find her a place to stay, which is lookign to ditch him, and of coruse she ends up staying at Howl's moving castle, where a young boy prentds to be a young wizard, taking Howl's job, when he not around when custmors coming calling. And of coruse when Howl comes home, she becomes the houskeep, and takes care of the fire demand.Movie Review: Amazing work; right up there in Miyazaki caliber
Summary: 5 Stars
In fact, Howl's Moving Castle is what got me hooked on anime; Miyazaki in particular. I went to see it with my best friends and was totally blown away. The art is amazing, the characters funny but still believable, and the storyline something that will have you leaving the theater (or...er...living room) all smiles. It's great for kids but also for older viewers (I myself am 13, so...I guess I'm an older viewer). The voice actors are better than in some Miyazaki movies, and, although I cannot remember this is huge detail, I don't -think- it had as much of that anime uneven-ness in the conversation. I don't know if you understand what I'm trying to say, but... yeah. Anyway.
Some argue that Howl's Moving Castle is Miyazaki's worst; I, however, feel it is one of - if not THE - best of his work. But then again, I also thought Spirited Away was the worst of Miyazaki. So I have wierd opinions.
All-in-all, this is a sweet fantasy for all ages. 5/5 stars, all well deserved. The ONE complaint I have has something to do with a prince - saying, "Oh, my 'true love' loves someone else. Oh well. I guess I'll go stop the war now, right?" Um... well... I just found that a tiny-teeny bit.... unrealistic. If -my- "ture love" loved someone else, I'd be just a little more broken up over it. But anyway. That one little thing aside, this is an amazing movie. Amazing. Watch it!
Movie Review: Engaging fable about love, magic, and believing in yourself
Summary: 5 Stars
Master filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki has long been famous for his beautiful animated films (including My Neighbour Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service, and Spirited Away), and Howl's Moving Castle is no exception. Based on the book of the same name by Diana Wynne Jones, Howl's Moving castle follows Sophie on a quest to break the curse that's turned her into a 90-year-old woman. Miyazaki's heroines are always brave, resourceful, and intelligent, and Sophie, a quiet hatmaker who lives a drab existence working in her late father's shop, is no exception. When Sophie is involved with the mysterious wizard Howl, her life as she knows it changes forever as she struggles to break the curse that binds her, Howl, and the fire demon Calcifer.
Miyazaki once again paints an idealized Europe of grand castles, stirring military parades, and and elegant Victorian fashions, but unlike his earlier, peaceful European-influenced town of Koriko in Kiki's Delivery Service, war is an all-too-real reality in Howl.
The story is slow to develop, but ultimately captivating, although there were a few subplots that left me confused. Beautiful visuals, a European-influenced soundtrack (which, sadly, will not be distributed in North America), and a masterful story by legendary author Diana Wynne Jones makes Howl a crowd-pleaser that anime fans will enjoy.
Movie Review: Having Both Strengths
Summary: 5 Stars
Miyazaki-san is well-known for creating strong-willed and CUTE girl heroine figures that captivate both men and women young and old. And also really good at presenting impressive super-granny characters such as YU-BABA of SPIRITED AWAY and DOLA of CASTLE IN THE SKY. Surprisingly enough this movie heroine Sophie has both. Granny Sophie who eventually stays at Howl's castle is actually seventeen but by the spell of the witch she is changed into a 90-year-old woman.
Another surprise of this movie is it has handsome-looking young guy HOWL and he seems to enjoy chasing young girls. Has Miyazaki character setting really changed since the untimely death of Yoshifumi Kondo? And the appearance of beautiful young boys like HAKU of SPIRITED AWAY?
Even with these surprises old fans of Miyazaki films might have had, this movie delivers another excellent charms his previous gems had.
The most amazing thing in this movie is the castle itself. It looks really rickety and ready to tear apart every time it moves but miraculously it stands firm. Like Ghibli team the movie brings you into different yet tangible world. It may not crystal-clear like other works but the magic spell stays...
Verdict: Nice follow-up to Spirited Away.
Rating: 94 out of 100
Recommended for: Wide range of movie goers.
Movie Review: "This can't be good for the table"
Summary: 5 Stars
Along with 'Spirited Away' Spirited Away,
'Howl's Moving Castle' Howl's Moving Castle
is my favorite movie of all time.
I'm also completely in love with Howl. A wizard who can cook breakfast. Plus, Howl is witty and charming.
The movie begins with a young Lady who is content with her life making hats and being cooped up in a shop all day. Her friend urges her to go out and enjoy life, but she's stubborn and only wants to make hats.
Out on a stroll, she's accosted by some mannerless bored soldiers, and along comes Howl who, literally, sweeps her off her feet to safety.
The Wicked Witch of the Waste, who has her own desires for Howl, puts a spell on our erstwhile hat girl and turns her into a very elderly Lady. She flees from her hometown and ends up working as a cleaning lady aboard Howl's Castle, and there begins her adventure.
It's a great movie. sigh. I love Howl.
This movie includes the vocal talents of Christian Bale (Dark Knight) and Billy Crystal. Destined to be a classic among classics.