Movies
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Starring: Christian Bale, Emily Mortimer, Billy Crystal, Lauren Bacall, Jean Simmons
Running time: 119 mins
Certificate: U
Created by the man behind the Oscar-winning Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle is the English-language version of Hauru No Ugoku Shiro which now hits British screens after proving extremely popular at the Japanese box office.
Set in a 19th Century Europe-esque fantasy land with a blend of science and magic in which two kingdoms are at war, the movie tells the story of Sophie (Emily Mortimer). By chance, Sophie crosses paths with notorious wizard Howl (Christian Bale). Witnessed by the jealous Witch of the Waste (Lauren Bacall), she is given a curse changing her into an old crone (Jean Simmons). Transformed, she sets off into the wastelands where, with the help of a sentient scarecrow, she hops aboard the eponymous walking abode of Howl. There, she befriends a captivated fire demon called Calcifer (Billy Crystal) who promises to lift her curse if she helps him gain his freedom.
As is the case with all of Miyazaki's work, the animation in this film is undeniably breathtaking. His style, which fuses elements of both Western styles of animation and that found in Japanese anime, will be equally impressive to children and adults alike. Whilst the physical features of the characters, particularly Howl, are drawn in Japanese style, the entire film is filled with exquisite detail of Western pictures.
The voice acting is all solid too, with Billy Crystal standing out as Calcifer, with Christian Bale also impressive as Howl. All do well, although Mortimer as well as never really sounding like the age of the character, provides a fairly bored monotone performance.
Composed by frequent Miyazaki collaborator Joe Hisaishi, Howl’s music accompanies the film well and is better than that in Spirited Away. It also makes effective use of silence, although occasionally the soundtrack seems inappropriate in relation to the events onscreen.
Although the storyline, based on the book by Diana Wynne Jones, has been accused of being confusing, the loose ends are predominantly tied up at the end, albeit in a strangely rushed manner. In fact, the pacing is a little strange after a particular plot turn near the middle of the film, after which rather than a thrilling run up to the climax, the story seems to fluctuate between excitement and scenes devoid of any action.
Despite such minor grumbles, Miyazaki has provided another beautifully animated piece with well-conceived and well-voiced likeable characters. Even if the plot leaves something to be desired in terms of explanation, it can be followed if you stay on your toes. Either way, Howl’s Moving Castle is a marvel to watch.
Starring: Christian Bale, Emily Mortimer, Billy Crystal, Lauren Bacall, Jean Simmons
Running time: 119 mins
Certificate: U
Created by the man behind the Oscar-winning Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle is the English-language version of Hauru No Ugoku Shiro which now hits British screens after proving extremely popular at the Japanese box office.
Set in a 19th Century Europe-esque fantasy land with a blend of science and magic in which two kingdoms are at war, the movie tells the story of Sophie (Emily Mortimer). By chance, Sophie crosses paths with notorious wizard Howl (Christian Bale). Witnessed by the jealous Witch of the Waste (Lauren Bacall), she is given a curse changing her into an old crone (Jean Simmons). Transformed, she sets off into the wastelands where, with the help of a sentient scarecrow, she hops aboard the eponymous walking abode of Howl. There, she befriends a captivated fire demon called Calcifer (Billy Crystal) who promises to lift her curse if she helps him gain his freedom.
As is the case with all of Miyazaki's work, the animation in this film is undeniably breathtaking. His style, which fuses elements of both Western styles of animation and that found in Japanese anime, will be equally impressive to children and adults alike. Whilst the physical features of the characters, particularly Howl, are drawn in Japanese style, the entire film is filled with exquisite detail of Western pictures.
The voice acting is all solid too, with Billy Crystal standing out as Calcifer, with Christian Bale also impressive as Howl. All do well, although Mortimer as well as never really sounding like the age of the character, provides a fairly bored monotone performance.
Composed by frequent Miyazaki collaborator Joe Hisaishi, Howl’s music accompanies the film well and is better than that in Spirited Away. It also makes effective use of silence, although occasionally the soundtrack seems inappropriate in relation to the events onscreen.
Although the storyline, based on the book by Diana Wynne Jones, has been accused of being confusing, the loose ends are predominantly tied up at the end, albeit in a strangely rushed manner. In fact, the pacing is a little strange after a particular plot turn near the middle of the film, after which rather than a thrilling run up to the climax, the story seems to fluctuate between excitement and scenes devoid of any action.
Despite such minor grumbles, Miyazaki has provided another beautifully animated piece with well-conceived and well-voiced likeable characters. Even if the plot leaves something to be desired in terms of explanation, it can be followed if you stay on your toes. Either way, Howl’s Moving Castle is a marvel to watch.
More: Movies
Your Views
6 Comments
Your Responses
A fantastic film and a brilliant adaptation of Wynne Jones' novel. I loved the animation and the development of the characters which managed to reveal just as much of each of their personalities within a short time frame, as in the book. Although many important segments of the novel were either missed out or glossed over, I thought that this, as well as the many additions and changes gave the film a new, brisk feel successfully resurrecting a well-loved novel. In my opinion, Howl was portrayed far more successfully than in the book as the film brought out more of his personality, magic, goodness and change caused by Sophie. All in all, a wonderful piece of entertainment that I know I and others will repeatedly enjoy.
I think this is the first time the dubbed version of a Miyazaki animation has felt natural and definitive - Christian Bale is a perfect choice for Howl, and to be fair, Emily Mortimer isn't exactly voicing Sophie for most of the film - the fabulous Jean Simmons is. It has that strange quality of Miyazaki films that, even when nothing is seemingly happening to advance the plot onscreen, you can quite happily watch it all night: it's just fascinating, beautiful and very human animation. The Diane Wynne-Jones story is beguilingly adapted, and we’re left with a subtle meditation on inner beauty, how war changes people and growing old gracefully. all the little motifs are present that will be familiar to anyone who saw 'Spirited Away', leaving this feeling like a slightly more grown-up spiritual sequel to that. Pure, pure escapism - I'm off to see it again next week!
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, finding the animation a wonderful blend of the best points of the stylistic Japanese Anime and more detailed western animation. The backgrounds are sometimes "blocky" but I actually feel this adds to the feel of the movie, making the characters stand out. I love the humour that has been injected into this too, in particular the scene where Howl throws a teenage hissy fit over the colour of his hair, summoning the demons of darkness and nearly destroying his castle. Just like a vain wizard. Overall the storyline was good, being a fan of Wynne Jones I was bound to like it although the end was confusing and rushed with plot points that had had little attention previously playing a large role in resolving the story. I definately enjoyed this movie though and will probably buy it on DVD - if only to see the subtitled version as they are often superior to the dubbed versions.
I found this film quite strange - on the one hand, there was the usual fantastic animation/characters/atmosphere typically found in a Miyazaki film, but the plot, fantastic as it is, left me generally confused.
I know everyone raves about the animation but I find it quite ugly. The castle and flying boats are great but the clothes are blocky and coarsely animated, fabric all moves in one way and the backgrounds generally are all the same sort of colour tone and have no atmosphere to them The animation of the characters have their moments of good animation with well observed detail but then this descends into a generic coarse and badly animated style that feels like a cheap kids tv series. The plot is not fantastic as the review says it ties up all loose ends in a minute and all too easily that leaves you feeling dissatisfied. The plot device of the different portals works well and some of the humour works without being overplayed.
Movie Reviews
'The Vow' reviewChanning Tatum tries to win back Rachel McAdams in romantic drama The Vow.
At the Movies
This Week's 5 Hottest Movie VideosTrailers for The Avengers and Spider-Man are among this week's highlights in film.
Movies Interviews
Daniel Radcliffe talks 'Woman in Black'The actor talks to Digital Spy about his first post-Potter outing.
Box Office Charts
'Chronicle' leads UK box officeSuperhero drama Chronicle leads the UK box office ahead of Journey 2.
OH MY GOSH! I loved it so much! I cant tell you how much. You did a fantastic job in your illustations and your story telling as well. I hope you make a new one soon! I have all of them so far and I adore them all. You have a great knack for capturing your audience in your work. I wish I could meet you in person but this is all I can do sadly. Hayao-sensei you have helped my creativity to grow since I saw "Whispers of the Heart" and I thank you, for a lot. One day I hope to be as good as you. Once again. Arigoto Hayao-sensei.