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Rating:  - Most under-rated film of all time
This film stole my heart. I am not even an anime fan, but I reluctantly watched this movie on a recomendation. It is refreshingly original to say the least. Why did I not hear about this movie upon its release?! This is The best thing I have ever seen come from Disney! It will break you out of the box of ordinary movies. Howl's Moving Castle took my imagination on an emotional adventure which I shall never forget. Buy this film without hesitation.
Rating: - Creative genius at its finest
This is the finest example of creative genius I have seen in years!!!! Destined to be an example which all fantasy wtiters will hold their work up to and see if they have come close. Just buy it and get ready to be dazzled by innovative,fresh,imaginative story telling!
Rating: - Loved this. Great for a wide audience
I gave this 5 stars because it is very good anime and a very good story line that is great for a wide audience. There's a wide variety of anime out there and this is something that would be a wonderful starter.
Rating: - Beautiful
I adore this movie. Get whisked away to a world of magic, wizards, witches, demons, and evil spells. Howl's Moving Castle is a gorgeous fairy tale based (rather loosely) on the book. I found Miyazaki's rendition of this tale absolutely wonderful. The story follows an 18 year old hatter named Sophie after a curse from a jealous witch turns her into an old woman. Sophie meets Howl, a strange but kind wizard, and Sophie learns not only what love is, but how to love herself as well. One of my very favorite Miyazaki movies, Howl's moving castle will not disappoint. It is far better than most American Disney movies. It appeals not only to young children, but to adults as well. In fact, the complexity of the story will probably not be fully comprehended by a young child. I would recommend this movie to anyone who loves a good romance movie filled will trials, war, action, and learning. The soundtrack is simply magical as well.
Rating: - Studio Ghibli may be to Japan what Dreamworks and Universal are to America...
I can remember a long time ago seeing a preview for "Kiki's Delivery Service" on a Disney sing along video, unaware that it was a Japanese film made almost 10 years before in the year I was born by whom I now consider to be a legend, Hayao Miyazaki. It intrigued my 8 year old self, but I never got around to watching it. Then, about a month ago, on the recommendations of my already acquainted friends and having already having had some experience in watching anime, I started to watch some of the Studio Ghibli productions. They became like potato chips, I couldn't watch just one one time.
As of now, I have seen in this order Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Kiki's Delivery Service (finally!), Princess Mononoke, and Laputa Castle in the Sky
I have to say that Howl's Moving Castle is my favorite one right now, with Castle in the Sky and Spirited Away close behind. Part of that may be the fact that the character of Howl has captured my heart in a way that no other animated character has ever done before. You girls thought Aladdin was cute when you were kids? Uh-uh, Howl is someone worth crushing on, at least for me ;)
All that aside, the animation is much better than Disney has ever done, and Disney has done a lot. I think this is on par in terms of plot and animation with The Prince of Egypt and The Road to El Dorado, two of my favorite Dreamworks movies. In fact, Miyazaki-san has perhaps made me come to love animation in any country much more at 19 than at 9. I look at classics like Pinocchio and Sword in the Stone with new eyes.
As for the voice casting, I am quite pleased with who they have. I always like to hear larger name voices in a Japanese movie dub than the people who are only known for dubbing anime. Christian Bale's voiceover of Howl is one of the main reasons that I am fawning so much over him right now. That quiet, smooth voice of his makes me become giddy whenever he talks. Also, I did not realize that Jean Simmons, the woman who voiced the old Sophie, who was also very memorable, was the same person who was Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls over 50 years ago. It was one of those movies I had grown up with, so knowing that made me admire her even more. Also, Billy Crystal had managed to play a comedic fire demon, but he also had some more serious moments as well, such as when he was a blue flame in Sophie's hands about to be freed from the spell. This was definitely not a copy of Mike Wizowsky here.
All and all, this is an absolute must see for any lovers of anime, or animation in general. Miyazaki's other movies must be seen too. Do it!
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