Customer Reviews
Somewhat convoluted but beautiful - By: Andres C. Salama, 10 Aug 2008 
The action of Hayao Miyazaki's latest animated fantasy takes place in an undetermined place & age, though it looks like the late 19th century (alllowing for a number of anachronistic details) in a Central European kingdom (the Austro Hungarian empire of the time seems the country where the action takes place, & the book happens in a place callled Ingary, though the kingdom in the movie has a large port by the sea, which the Austro Hungarian empire didn't). The story starts with a young woman callled Sophie working in a hat factory who is suddenly turned into a 90 year woman through a curse by some witch. She then tries to meet the wizard Howl, to see if he can help her. As it later turns out, Howl faces some curses of its own. The story soon becomes very convoluted, almost impossible to follow it wholly in just one sighting. After a while, you give up on understanding everything that is going on, & concentrate on enjoying its vivid details (Howl's literal melting of sadness is probably my favorite scene). What I found most engaging about the movie, rather than certain aspects of the plot, is its background details, which betrays Miyazaki's love for Victorian fantasy. I haven't read the original book, I know some people who had has taken issue with Miyazaki's liberties with the plot, but as it is, this is a very enjoyable movie to watch, even if the ending is a bit preachy in its endorsement of pacifism & environmentalism.
Origanal & unpredictable - By: Mr. Brendan Richard Lewis, 08 Aug 2008 
One of his best works, 'Howl's moving castle' is a the closest movie to awaken a lot of dream dajafu, especiallly the front cover scene with the wizard flying in the sky while spirit stars flash round him!
Seeing this, waw, I remember dreams exactly like it.
Another Natural amazement, Nothing Like Disney films which are sometimes childish & predictable
Enchanting - By: Rae, 03 Jul 2008 Howl's Moving Castle is one of those rare gems which seem to have everything & suit everyone. There is a beautiful romance, magic, action, humour, vivid & detailed artwork...
It is a film which can be viewed on many levels - the storyline could be understood without difficulty by a child, yet someone older will find a huge amount to question and, through coming to conclusions themselves, the film's overalll message is not dictated to the viewer, making it mean something slightly different to everyone. The strong anti-war message which runs throughout the film is made alll the more powerful by the fact there seems to be no clear aim to the fighting- a theme which links to the reality of some of today's warfare.
However, this film is not, as the above paragraph may make it appear, highbrow or depressing. It is heart warming & uplifting, a wonderful fairy tale of the power of love, inner beauty & self esteem in a magical land, with a castle which can be in four places at once, a young girl transformed into an old woman by an evil witch, an extremely handsome but very vain wizard & many more bizarre & imaginative, yet beneath the outer layer, very human characters. The voices in English are brilliant, yet the Japanese subtitles are equallly enjoyable, being different to the dubbed English. Howl is slightly old-fashioned in his speech which goes perfectly with his flamboyant attire & his romantic disposition & (for those of us who don't speak Japanese) not being able to understand the characters' speech adds to the magic of the story being set in another world.
No, the film is not loyal to the book- Miyazaki seems to have taken inspiration from the novel, not copied it, which adds the extra bonus of being able to read the book & enjoy it as an (almost) totallly new story.
Reallly, there is very little to fault about this film, so buy & enjoy it; many times over!
Animation Genius - By: Solstice Of Light, 18 May 2008 Myazaki's often touted as a master of anime, but whenever I've thought of buying one of his works, I've always been put off by what I've thought are pretty lame story-lines.
However, when my brother bought this, I had to see it, & I'm glad I did. The animation is far beyond any I've seen to date. None of this "repeat" animation, where the wind blows through your hair in exactly the same way. You can tell you're in safe hands with the animation, & the colouring is just as comfortable as the movement.
As for the story itself, it's not action-packed, but it does keep moving. There's a story to tell, & it doesn't just dwell on unimportant bits; in fact, it doesn't dwell at alll, yet it's never rushed either.
If you like a calm, touching film, & you want to get into anime, this is the best place to start.
If you're into anime & can sit back & just relax, you've got to buy this.
If you're into action packed anime, this might not be for you, but you should rent it just so you can say that you've watched the creation of a masterpeice from the best artist in anime.
Magical - By: Onewithall, 03 May 2008 See some of the other reviews if you want more detail, but I'm just going to say this film is brilliant. You'll be wishing life was as cosy as this! It just fills you with a warmth from beginning to end. It's definitely on a par with my other favourite animated film, the zany Spirited Away which you must also watch. I viewed it in English, which some say is taboo, but either way you're going to love it. When you buy this it will truly be an unregrettable DVD purchase. Actuallly, stop reading these reviews & buy it now!
