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| Poster (Miyazaki, 2004) |
Like a ship appearing out the mist, the Steampunk castle looms ahead. But as the air clears, the absurd spindly little legs carrying monstrous castle appear, and it's not so terrifying anymore.
Howl's Moving Castle directed by Hayao Miyazaki is an anime movie based on the fantasy novel of the same name, by Diana Wynne Jones.
Howl's Moving Castle directed by Hayao Miyazaki is an anime movie based on the fantasy novel of the same name, by Diana Wynne Jones.
We are taken on a whirlwind ride along with Sophie, a young woman only just starting to take on responsibility in her family's hat shop. Her life feels stiffled amongst all the ribbons and bows, and there's warnings across the land that all young women should watch out for the dangerous Wizard Howl, who lives in the moving castle. But the jealous and compulsive Witch of the Waste makes and entrance and, for reasons unclear, puts Sophie under a curse. She finds herself transformed into a wrinkly and grey - but lively - old woman.
Sophie decides that the hat shop is no longer the place for her, and sets out in the world, with a new found sense of freedom and lack of responsibility. She can't have that much more bad luck, and anyway, who's going to bother with a little old lady?
On her journey she finds the magical castle, which decides that Sophie's alright, and lets her take refuge. But she must live alongside Howl, the impetuous, dazzling, vain, impulsive and powerful wizard, and his household of characters - Calcifer the fire demon who strikes a deal with Sophie to let her stay, Markl, Howl's apprentice wizard in training, and Turnip-Head, a scarecrow that Sophie helps to get out of a sticky situation, and now won't leave her alone.
The characters have depth - the baddies are terrifying, but are simply working towards their own goals, while the goodies may have a touch of bad in them, or maybe it's a sense of mystery.
Sophie decides that the hat shop is no longer the place for her, and sets out in the world, with a new found sense of freedom and lack of responsibility. She can't have that much more bad luck, and anyway, who's going to bother with a little old lady?
On her journey she finds the magical castle, which decides that Sophie's alright, and lets her take refuge. But she must live alongside Howl, the impetuous, dazzling, vain, impulsive and powerful wizard, and his household of characters - Calcifer the fire demon who strikes a deal with Sophie to let her stay, Markl, Howl's apprentice wizard in training, and Turnip-Head, a scarecrow that Sophie helps to get out of a sticky situation, and now won't leave her alone.
The characters have depth - the baddies are terrifying, but are simply working towards their own goals, while the goodies may have a touch of bad in them, or maybe it's a sense of mystery.
And the mysterious Wizard Howl. Can Sophie trust him? Can she break her curse? Does she even care enough about herself to break it?
This is sumptuously animated movie, brings life, movement and layers of visual delight to Jones' classic fantasy novel. Watch this movie for the food, the flying and the adventure, magic and romance.
This is sumptuously animated movie, brings life, movement and layers of visual delight to Jones' classic fantasy novel. Watch this movie for the food, the flying and the adventure, magic and romance.
Bibliographic details:
Jones,
D. W. (Writer), & Miyazaki, H. (Director). (2004). Howl's moving castle
[Motion Picture]. Japan: Toho.
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