Howl's Moving Castle
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Movie Reviews of Howl's Moving Castle
Movie Review: Blazing brightly
Summary: 5 Stars
A young teenage girl, Sophie, has a chance encounter with a handsome young wizard. Howl. A jealous witch, one of Howl's former loves, decides to punish Sophie by turning her into an old woman. This is the starting point of my favorite Miyazaki film. It is a love story for sure, but more than that, it is the story of how someone dealt a bad hand, handles her situation with equanimity, determination, and humor. Sophie says at one point "the best in us blazes brightest when cirmcumstances are at their worst". This film is an illustration of that maxim. Jean Simmons is wonderful as the old Sophie. Billy Crystal is equally good as Calcifer, the fire demon who is the lifeforce behind Howl's home, a castle which walks and can reside in several different cities or locales at the same time. The animation is beautiful, perhaps not on par with Nausicaa and the Valley of the Wind, but lovely to look at all the same. As is usual for Miyazaki, in addition to the incredible scenery, the movie is replete with crazy contraptions and strange creatures. But for all its foreigness, I think this is the most accessible of Miyazaki's films for American audiences and it is especially meaningful for an older viewer like myself. If you are new to Miyazaki, this film is a great place to start. You won't be disappointed.Movie Review: Charming Journey Through a Powerful Imagination
Summary: 5 Stars
Howl's Moving Castle is another feast for the senses from Hayao Miyazaki, the master of animated magic. Very similar to Spirited Away, adults as well as kids will eat this up. It is probably a PG instead of G for the brief shots of the handsome Howl's bare butt.
While Spirited Away is heavily Japanese in setting, characters, and culture, Howl's is set in a European-style kingdom. The setting really screams "Western instead of Eastern." The visuals are bright and cheerful, and of course the film includes a flying sequence that the viewer can go on and feel as though he is in the air.
The story is about Sophie, a shy girl who works in her family's hattery. On a walk, Sophie is rescued from some unwelcome advances by a handsome young stranger. She falls in love with him instantly. In doing so, she angers the Witch of the Waste, a bloated, jealous woman who turns Sophie into an elderly woman. Unable to turn to her family, Sophie embarks to the Waste to look for a witch or wizard to break the spell. She encounters the vast, walking junkpile called a 'castle' and inhabited by male slobs. Sophie hires herself as cleaning lady.
The story is romantic and fantastical. I completely lost track of time and where I was and just was absorbed into the movie.
Movie Review: Good, Somewhat superficial
Summary: 5 Stars
I listened to Howl's Moving Castle with some reservations. I'm not a big fan of Anime or large-eyed moppets in school-girl uniforms. But Howl's Moving Castle was actually pretty good, even if the romance between Sophie and Howl was rather unconvincing.
The plot revolves around a spinster girl who lives in her father's shop and makes hats. She is rather plain. She catches the eye of a Howl, the town's badboy wizard and earns the wrath of the Witch of the Waste, an obese woman who covets Howl and his heart.
While the romance between Howl and Sophie seemed a little spontaneous and the message a little questionable. (Only beautiful people deserve love). (Howl rejects the "witch of the waste" after discovering she is truly ugly... This from someone who can change his shape at will), and Sophie obsesses non-stop about her appearance, (I'm too ugly to attract anyone!) The two main characters only get together after Sophie is "Made more attractive," seemed annoying to this viewer. In this day and age of Botox and Body-surgery do we need yet another reminder that a girl's self-worth is related to the sum of her physical appearence?
Overall, I enjoyed this film, despite the above mentioned bugaboo. Great animation. Beautiful art. 5 stars.
Movie Review: Has its ups and downs, but totally worth it
Summary: 5 Stars
Personally? I loved this movie. But the purpose of this particular review is to try to give you an idea of whether or not YOU will like it, not me. So. Here we go.
If you have read the book and liked it - You may my disappointed with the movie, or not. It depends on how flexible you are when it comes to changing the storyline and characters. What I think Miyazaki did was borrow the characters and put them in a totally different situation. So, fans of the book, be prepared for something different. Doesn't mean you won't like it; just be prepared.
If you have not read the book - First of all, READ IT! It's an amazing book... read it seven times in three months, I have. =) Anyway. Well, you definitely have to go into this movie with an open mind. It has a lot of plot holes that you may not understand if you haven't read the book, and some you won't understand anyway. This is the kind of movie where you just have to sit back and enjoy the ride and not worry about every little thing being explained. In a way, it's realistic. In life, you don't know why everything happens. It just...does.
Eh, this came out a lot more brief than I wanted it to be, but I got tired of typing and ran out of stuff to say. So. I hope this helped anyway. =)
Movie Review: Mayazaki Is
Summary: 5 Stars
Once again the grand master of animation makes his own world. I have seen all of Mayazaki's films and this one with out a doubt is my favorite. I did not think it possible that Mayzaki could create another film that I would love more that Spirited Away. However when I was in the theater I was found to be very wrong. Each time the grand master film maker and storyteller graces us a film he creates a whole new world. This one is my favorite because there is so much in it you have to watch two or three times to get everything. Sophie is so identifiable because I am sure anyone and everyone has felt unattractive and unloved. Howl is very childish and selfish but you fall in love with his character anyway. The visuals are stunning and I challenge anyone to not want to take the Hine the dog home with them. I have own many animes and have seen even more. However as to date this is my favorite film. The plot, the music, and the characters make this in my opinion Mayazaki's second master peace with Spirited Away being a close second. Oh yes if you like soundtracks at all get this one Joe Hisaishi really outdid himself this time. In the end I cannot recommend this film enough for anyone and everyone who believes in love and magic. You shall not be disappointed.