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List Price: $29.99 | | Label: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
Salesrank: 989
Released: March 7, 2006 |
| Our Price: $21.07 |
| Used Price: $18.42 |
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MPAA Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Sophie, a quiet girl working in a hat shop, finds her life thrown into turmoil when she is literally swept off her feet by a handsome but mysterious wizard named Howl.The vain and vengeful Witch of the Waste, jealous of their friendship, puts a spell on Sophie, so she embarks on an incredible odyssey to lift the curse and enters a magical world where fire talks, dogs spy for their wizard owners, and a ramshackle castle flies across the countryside.DVD Features: Behind The Microphone, Interview With Pete Docter, "Hello, Mr. Lasseter," TV Spots, Trailers, Storyboards.Voice Actors: Christian Bale, Billy Crystal, Lauren Bacall, Jean Simmons, Emily Mortimer, Blythe Danner, Crispin Freeman, Liliana Mumy, Mark Silverman119 minutesAudio: English, JapaneseSubtitles: English
Description of Howl's Moving Castle:
Like a dream, Howl's Moving Castle carries audiences to vistas beyond their imaginations where they experience excitement, adventure, terror, humor, and romance. With domestic box office receipts of over $210 million, Howl passed Miyazaki's Princess Mononoke to become the #3 film in Japanese history, behind his Spirited Away and James Cameron's Titanic. Based on a juvenile novel by Diana Wynne Jones, Howl's Moving Castle marks the first time Miyazaki has adapted another writer's work since Kiki's Delivery Service (1989). Sophie, a 19-year-old girl who believes she is plain, has resigned herself to a drab life in her family's hat shop--until the Witch of the Waste transforms her into a 90-year-old woman. In her aged guise, Sophie searches for a way to break the Witch's spell and finds unexpected adventures. Like Chihiro, the heroine of Spirited Away, Sophie discovers her hidden potential in a magical environment--the castle of the title. Using CG, Miyazaki creates a ramshackle structure that looks like it might disintegrate at any moment. Sophie's honesty and determination win her some valuable new friends: Markl, Howl's young apprentice; a jaunty scarecrow; Calcifer, a temperamental fire demon; and Heen, a hilarious, wheezing dog. She wins the heart of the dashing, irresponsible wizard Howl, and brings an end an unnecessary and destructive war. The film overflows with eclipsing visuals that range from frightening aerial battles to serene landscapes, and few recent features--animated or live action--offer as much magic as Howl's Moving Castle. --Charles Solomon
The Many Worlds of Hayao Miyazaki
The works of Miyazaki | 
The Book | 
The Art of Howls' Moving Castle (book) |
Stills from Howl's Moving Castle (click for larger image)
Howl's Moving Castle Reviews:
The first time I enjoyed watching an old woman climb some stairs! 
2008-08-29 - Let me preface this review by saying that I have never read the book that this was based on, and I don't really care to. I've heard the book's very different and I think it would ruin my enjoyment of this fantastic film.
Okay, I love this movie, it may be my favorite Miyazaki movie of all time (though The Cat Returns comes pretty close). There's just something magical in this fantasy tale that really draws me in. First off, some people complain that this movie made no sense, but I really enjoy Miyazaki's narrative style; he doesn't spell things out for you plot point by plot point (the story is not very hard to understand anyway, I don't understand people's confusion). It really gives this movie good replay value; everytime I rewatch it, I learn/notice something new.
Secondly, the animation is beautiful. Just the sweeping scenes of the landscape was gorgeous and really helped you get a feel for the setting.
Thirdly, I felt the characters were very endearing. Especially Calcifer. I really loved his character (with Billy Crystal voicing), he is very humorous ("Sophie, it looks like it's gonna RAIN!"; this line just wouldn't be as funny if someone else voiced it). The other characters were also very likeable, and showed excellent character depth and development. Especially Sophie, who we see transform from a timid, mousy girl to a woman who isn't afraid to speak her mind.
Overall, I highly recommend this movie to anyone who's a fan of fantasy films.
One of Miyazaki's best.
2008-08-17 - I'm surprised there are some people on here complaining about the book to movie adaptation. Studio Ghibli rarely follows the few novels they've based movies on... Tales Of Earthsea was totally different than any book in the series!
Anyway, this is the movie that got me into Miyazaki/Ghibli a few years back. It's beyond words how good the storyline and animation are. The only Miyazaki movie I think is better is Princess Mononoke.
BUY NOW!!!
Choose the book not the movie 
2008-08-01 - If you have read the book *and liked it*, then i recommend that you don't watch this movie. It shares very few things in common with the book, one of which is the title. The plot is almost completely different. It was like the director read the back of the book and then made up a new story.
amazing
2008-07-28 - i wonder how miyazaki comes up with such flawless ideas that just blow your mind away. I love all his films and won't ever get sick of them. I don't know why, it may sound crazy but when i watch his films i feel at a state of peace. The characters are mysterious and dark yet others liven the mood by being funny and bubbly to keep your eyes drawn to the screen. Anyways i know everyone likes different types of genre's so this is only my opinion that not all may agree with. These aren't for 5 year olds to see. Not like it sexual or weird but it would be confusing for them. This ain't no tilly tubbies people) If you like anime BUY IT lol. I seriously watched this with my mother (and know doubt she falls asleep watching cartoons) but she actually stayed awake the entire time and loved the movie! lol so i believe anyone would enjoy this. Yes even your grandmother =]
Careful, Miyazaki films are addicting!
2008-07-25 - This is the one that started me out in Anime. I caught it on tv one day and the title interested me. I was mesmerized by the quality of such a good Anime. I did not even own any Anime. (I'm a 58 year old male). I had to find out who was responsible for this artistic film. I was introduced to Hayo Miyazki. He is reviered as one of the best at his craft. Many Animies are compared to his work. What a stroke of luck that I happened on to the (genius). I now own all but "Whisper of the Heart" and "The Yamadas". They are all good and well worth watching over and over.
Howl's Moving Castle is one of his better works. It is filled with fantasy, magic, interesting characters. Even the fire that powers a moving castle is a character with a voice. The castle is magic itself. Doors that enter into other worlds. Absolutely beautiful scenery. Plenty of very imaginitive flying machines that are a trademark of Miyazaki's. Colors that are exceptional. It's so creative that you wonder what will come next. What a mind this man has!
As you can see by the reviews of Miyazaki's films most people love his work. He is compared to Walt Disney. I like both Disney and Miyazaki and would have a hard time choosing who is best. I will say that Disney started it all and had no one to be influenced by.
I recommend any of Miyazki's films. They are all top notch and probably the best of the best. Enjoy!
P.S. Looking forward to the new one "Ponyo on the Cliff".
