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User Reviews for: Howl's Moving Castle

Xadyu_1417456017
8/10  9 years ago
I love the Studio Ghibli films. So far I think it is safe to say that Miyazaki is my favourite anime author, and I doubt anyone will ever take his place because I have grown so attached to the work of this man and his ideals reflected on the way he conceives animation, that I can't think of a deeper connection with one's style in any way.

That is the reason why "Howl's moving castle" was, at my first viewing, a serious disappointment. It was the first time a movie by Miyazaki didn't transport me to the world and imagery it showed. Almost two years later, however, and trying to bring another perspective about this film, I have watched it again, and while this has worked with some other works, it seems "Howl" is still my thorn in Miyazaki's filmography and will always be.

Of course the world introduced here is amazing. This is probably the most gorgeous and visually powerful film Miyazaki has ever done, just watch the scenery, the many traces of impressive imagery, and of course Joe Hisaishi with another solid performance. It's a pleasure for the senses, such a beautiful experience to look at and hear that surely makes it worth viewing.

But that is not an excuse for the many plot holes and sudden changes in character behaviour. That is, in the same way we have a really eye-candy experience given only by the -already known- technical skills of Miyazaki and his group of animators, the story is always lacking.

I would seriously like to be able to fill my review with interpretations and theories about this fascinating world, but quite honestly, didn't find any thread to follow or to keep my interest on. I just can't sit through what in my opinion are clear character and story inconsistencies sucking the emotion or the involvement in whatever the movie is trying to tell me. I won't go with specific scenes to avoid spoiling anyone, but will just say that I find it really disappointing to find that Sophie, the girl who is supposed to introduce me to the story and let me see the events from her eyes, looks so incoherent and variable in her interaction with many of the elements, say the Witch of the Waste or the reactions at some magic events happening around her.

The construction of the storyline is pretty poor, and that is fully shown at an ending scene that feels rushed and ridiculous, where there is not any hint to follow why some characters make some relevant decisions, and looks just plain lazy writing. Really, really lazy, and unsatisfactory. I don't know the original source, but I know Miyazaki far enough to be sure that the fact the novel may or may not be good shouldn't affect the quality of the movie, as in his adaptations he chooses to change stuff freely in order to adjust it to his own subjects and concerns.

It has been said that in this case the plotline is secondary, and it should be seen as a fascinating travel around a world full of magic, where the logic is not needed and if it appears it doesn't make any effect in the enjoyment of the movie. I couldn't disagree more with that statement. During my experience in Miyazaki's works, I have found often this recurrent idea about him, seeing his films as powerful visuals with messed up plots, and as far as I can tell I have never conceived them in that way. Even -and specially- at his least linear and most complex narrative, "Spirited away", every event tries to follow an internal logic, therefore the plot is here and is unavoidable. It also should happen with "Howl"; the fact that it's filled with fantastic and strange elements isn't a valid excuse to make the storytelling lackluster and inconsistent, and of course doesn't change the fact it is needed. More so when it's so clearly intended to be.

In conclusion, and while I can say this work is extremely powerful and memorable at the artistic aspects, I still see it as an unsuccessful attempt that becomes evident at the many plot holes and lack of competent character writing. As entertaining as it could be, it is my biggest disappointment with the otherwise excellent work of this director and the only one that has never fulfilled my expectations.
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drqshadow
7/10  4 years ago
A relatively obscure Welsh fantasy novel provides the material for this, Miyazaki's follow-up to _Spirited Away_. It's a lovely marriage; two visions meant for one another. _Howl_'s land of witches and wizards, steam-powered societies and shadowy machinations, calls back to several preceding chapters in the Studio Ghibli catalog, while still standing firm as its own original story.

The first hour is particularly good, setting the stage with the director’s usual doses of playful imagination and enchanting personality. We've got magic doorways, talking flames, witches' curses, fantastic flying machines, ticker-tape military parades and, of course, gigantic palaces propelled by mechanical chicken legs. Ghibli always profits from these long establishing shots, having mastered the art of breathing life into a world and watching it blossom, and the opening act is stuffed with so much of it that I couldn't have wiped the smile from my lips if I'd tried.

It falls into a bit of a rut after that, struggling to stretch an airy premise into something larger and more meaningful. There's depth to the story, but much of it remains unrevealed as the plot meanders and stumbles its way to a hazy finale. The animation is great, as expected, with colorful characters and alluring scenarios to spare, but _Howl_ grows lost after that initial sheen wears off.
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enry_cami
/10  3 years ago
DISCLAIMER: I did not see this movie in its original language(Japanese), but in a dubbed version(Italian). I may have missed some nuances.

What attracted me to _Howl's Moving Castle_ is without a doubt the steampunk-ish vibe of the castle itself. It looked very interesting from every picture I saw online and it seemed like it could be a great setting for a story.

But when it actually come down to the movie itself, it was a bit of a letdown. For starters, the castle itself doesn't feature nearly as much as I'd hoped, but I won't hold that against the movie. Let's go in order.

First, the good stuff.

The animation is top notch, as it's norm for a Studio Ghibli movie. Everything feels "alive", in a way. Not only that, but the drawings are absolutely beautiful. You could take a still from any point of the movie and it would probably look great hung on a wall.

I enjoy the score as well, but I don't have much else to say.

Now for the not-so-good aspects.

The story was full of holes. That's inexcusable. It barely made sense overall. If you've ever played with children, it's like when they start making up a story. At first it makes sense then, as it goes on longer, weird things start popping up with little relation to the story or an explanation. If that is acceptable from a kid, it absolutely isn't from a studio such as this.

The world building was another aspect were they missed the mark, in my opinion. It started out great, I was very intrigued about the mix of technology we see at the start (which had a steampunk/dieselpunk vibe) and the magic of Howl and of the Witch. But then it started becoming messier and messier. You couldn't tell what the rules where in that world and so the whole thing started to crumble for me.

In the end, _Howl's Moving Castle_ is neither a bad or a good movie. It's a missed occasion for something much greater that could have been. I would only recommend it to fans of Studio Ghibli and even then with some reservations.

6/10

P.S.: Calcifer is the shining star of the whole thing
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CinemaSerf
/10  3 months ago
Certainly my favourite Miyazaki film. The animations are a touch angular, but colourfully and stylishly depict this story of a beautiful young girl who is cursed by an evil witch. In despair, she sets off, directionless, from home and comes across "Howl" and his moving castle - and the sprite "Calcifer". She begins a journey of discovery - about herself as much as anything. "Howl" - the ultimate free spirit is also facing down demons of his own that he is struggling to reconcile with. "Calcifer" provides the conduit for them to get to better understand each other and also much of the humour as they seek to break the spells that bind them. This works on many different levels and each time I see it, I seem get something different from it.
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Andres Gomez
/10  6 years ago
Really good movie staging in a fictional center European country. The drawings are great and the story is as delicate as any other from Miyazaki.
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