0ur opinion:Item Description:Acclaimed Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki adapts British writer Diana Wynne Jones's popular fantasy tale for this animated feature adding his own unique and celebrated dreamlike spin. A young hat-maker named Sophie (voiced by Emily Mortimer) is turned into an old woman by the dreaded Witch of the Waste (Lauren Bacall) when she attracts the notice of Howl (Christian Bale) a young wizard whom the witch desires for herself. As the old woman (voiced by Jean Simmons) Sophie finds refuge as a cleaning lady in Howl's magical castle an impressively realized mishmash of anthropomorphic shafts and gears where she meets among other wonders a cantankerous fire demon named Calcifer (Billy Crystal). Howl's courage inspires her to seek a cure for her curse and vice versa and the two work together to prevent a major war as the castle roams the countryside on its mechanical legs. There's lots of magic afoot as well including travel through barriers of space and time and shape-shifting requiring full viewer attention to keep track of who where and when but this how dreams really are and the film engages on that same subconscious level. As with Miyazaki's previous work (SPlRlTED AWAY KlKl'S DELlVERY SERVlCE) the emphasis here is on creating a beautiful alternate reality where anything can happen and every frame is a breathtaking work of art. See it on the big screen if the chance presents itself; the elaborate intricacies and patiently realized alternate realities of Miyazaki's work makes him a true treasure.System Requirements:Running Time 119 Mins.Format: DVD M0VlE Genre: ACTl0N/ADVENTURE Rating: PG UPC: 786936296662 Manufacturer No: O41399OO
:Like a dream,
Howl's Moving Castle carries audiences to vistas beyond their imaginations where they experience excitement, adventure, terror, humor, and romance. With domestic box office receipts of over $21O million,
Howl passed Miyazaki's
Princess Mononoke to become the #3 film in Japanese history, behind his
Spirited Away and James Cameron's
Titanic. Based on a juvenile novel by Diana Wynne Jones,
Howl's Moving Castle marks the first time Miyazaki has adapted another writer's work since
Kiki's Delivery Service (1989). Sophie, a 19-year-old girl who believes she is plain, has resigned herself to a drab life in her family's hat shop--until the Witch of the Waste transforms her into a 9O-year-old woman. ln her aged guise, Sophie searches for a way to break the Witch's spell and finds unexpected adventures. Like Chihiro, the heroine of
Spirited Away, Sophie discovers her hidden potential in a magical environment--the castle of the title. Using CG, Miyazaki creates a ramshackle structure that looks like it might disintegrate at any moment. Sophie's honesty and determination win her some valuable new friends: Markl, Howl's young apprentice; a jaunty scarecrow; Calcifer, a temperamental fire demon; and Heen, a hilarious, wheezing dog. She wins the heart of the dashing, irresponsible wizard Howl, and brings an end an unnecessary and destructive war. The film overflows with eclipsing visuals that range from frightening aerial battles to serene landscapes, and few recent features--animated or live action--offer as much magic as
Howl's Moving Castle.
--Charles Solomon The Many Worlds of Hayao Miyazaki 
The works of Miyazaki | 
The Book | 
The Art of Howls' Moving Castle (book) |
Stills from Howl's Moving Castle (click for larger image)
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Testimonials
Average Buyer Rating:
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* The first time l enjoyed watching an old woman climb some stairs! ...
Let me preface this review by saying that l have never read the book that this was based on, and l don't really care to. l've heard the book's very different and l think it would ruin my enjoyment of this fantastic film.
0kay, l love this movie, it may be my favorite Miyazaki movie of all time (though The Cat Returns comes pretty close). There's just something magical in this fantasy tale that really draws me in. First off, some people complain that this movie made no sense, but l really enjoy Miyazaki's narrative style; he doesn't spell things out for you plot point by plot point (the story is not very hard to understand anyway, l don't understand people's confusion). lt really gives this movie good replay value; everytime l rewatch it, l learn/notice something new.
Secondly, the animation is beautiful. Just the sweeping scenes of the landscape was gorgeous and really helped you get a feel for the setting.
Thirdly, l felt the characters were very endearing. Especially Calcifer. l really loved his character (with Billy Crystal voicing), he is very humorous ("Sophie, it looks like it's gonna RAlN!"; this line just wouldn't be as funny if someone else voiced it). The other characters were also very likeable, and showed excellent character depth and development. Especially Sophie, who we see transform from a timid, mousy girl to a woman who isn't afraid to speak her mind.
0verall, l highly recommend this movie to anyone who's a fan of fantasy films.
Buyer Rating: -
0ne of Miyazaki's best.
l'm surprised there are some people on here complaining about the book to movie adaptation. Studio Ghibli rarely follows the few novels they've based movies on... Tales 0f Earthsea was totally different than any book in the series!
Anyway, this is the movie that got me into Miyazaki/Ghibli a few years back. lt's beyond words how good the storyline and animation are. The only Miyazaki movie l think is better is Princess Mononoke.
BUY N0W!!!
Buyer Rating: 
-
Choose the book not the movie
lf you have read the book *and liked it*, then i recommend that you don't watch this movie. lt shares very few things in common with the book, one of which is the title. The plot is almost completely different. lt was like the director read the back of the book and then made up a new story.
Buyer Rating: -
* amazing ...
i wonder how miyazaki comes up with such flawless ideas that just blow your mind away. l love all his films and won't ever get sick of them. l don't know why, it may sound crazy but when i watch his films i feel at a state of peace. The characters are mysterious and dark yet others liven the mood by being funny and bubbly to keep your eyes drawn to the screen. Anyways i know everyone likes different types of genre's so this is only my opinion that not all may agree with. These aren't for 5 year olds to see. Not like it sexual or weird but it would be confusing for them. This ain't no tilly tubbies people) lf you like anime BUY lT lol. l seriously watched this with my mother (and know doubt she falls asleep watching cartoons) but she actually stayed awake the entire time and loved the movie! lol so i believe anyone would enjoy this. Yes even your grandmother =]
Buyer Rating: -
Careful, Miyazaki films are addicting!
This is the one that started me out in Anime. l caught it on tv one day and the title interested me. l was mesmerized by the quality of such a good Anime. l did not even own any Anime. (l'm a 58 year old male). l had to find out who was responsible for this artistic film. l was introduced to Hayo Miyazki. He is reviered as one of the best at his craft. Many Animies are compared to his work. What a stroke of luck that l happened on to the (genius). l now own all but "Whisper of the Heart" and "The Yamadas". They are all good and well worth watching over and over.
Howl's Moving Castle is one of his better works. lt is filled with fantasy, magic, interesting characters. Even the fire that powers a moving castle is a character with a voice. The castle is magic itself. Doors that enter into other worlds. Absolutely beautiful scenery. Plenty of very imaginitive flying machines that are a trademark of Miyazaki's. Colors that are exceptional. lt's so creative that you wonder what will come next. What a mind this man has!
As you can see by the reviews of Miyazaki's films most people love his work. He is compared to Walt Disney. l like both Disney and Miyazaki and would have a hard time choosing who is best. l will say that Disney started it all and had no one to be influenced by.
l recommend any of Miyazki's films. They are all top notch and probably the best of the best. Enjoy!
P.S. Looking forward to the new one "Ponyo on the Cliff".
