Howl's Moving Castle
Jean Simmons, Christian Bale, Lauren Bacall; Directed by Hayao Miyazaki
Sophie is a meek and mild-mannered girl who works in a hat shop. She is nearly always submissive and unassuming. When two leering soldiers in a back alley affront her one morning, a mysterious young man comes to her rescue. After several strange things happen while in his company, Sophie begins to realize that this is Howl, the infamous wizard said to be on the lookout for the hearts of young maidens to devour. Sophie is left unharmed by him, but late that night receives a terrifying visit from the jealous Witch of the Waste, who curses Sophie's body, turning the clock forward seventy years or so, and leaving Sophie a frail, wrinkled, hunched-over old woman. Sophie resolves to try and find the cure to her debilitating curse, traveling into the dreaded Waste, where unnatural beasts and beings reside. There, she stumbles upon Howl's moving castle, an incredible contraption that takes her on an extraordinary ride, where with a cast of many strange and colorful characters, she finally finds the strength to change her life, as well as the lives of those around her.
This film was a real joy to watch. Based on a novel by respected British author Diana Wynne Jones and brought to the screen by famed Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki, expert storytelling meets visual poetry. The animation (particularly the scenic atmospheres) is on top form, benefiting from Jones's cohesive storytelling that culminates into this fine fantasy epic, which (in my opinion) surpasses Miyazaki's other works, including Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away. The voice talents are absolutely delightful; particularly the performances from Jean Simmons, playing the elderly Sophie, and Billy Crystal, voicing a hassled but intensely lovable fire demon named Calcifer. The story is not predictable for one moment, and the humor is surprisingly down to earth and humanizing for a film riddled with magic, witches and wizards. The only slip that happens occurs during the last half-hour, when an ambiguous war that had been running in the background all along suddenly comes to the forefront. We don't know exactly who is fighting whom and why or where, just that the castle is suddenly coming under a heavy ammunition attack. I found that it pulled my attention too forcefully away from the characters and their central conflicts. It could have been handled better.
I found Howl's Moving Castle to be a very delightful surprise in several aspects, and I believe that people of all ages would genuinely enjoy this film. It is a love story on the whole, and a very unconventional one at that. Howl is a vain and cowardly man at the start, and it's hugely entertaining and interesting to watch timid Sophie slowly change him, now that her curse has forced her to become indomitable and strong, with a sharp and witty tongue that keeps her sanity by drawing laughter instead of tears. These are incredibly complex characters that work to change our perceptions of them, and it is great fun. With undeniable nods to The Wizard of Oz and Beauty and the Beast, this film earns its' due, and rightfully secures a spot besides them on the shelf.
Grading:
Story = A
Originality = A
DVD Features = N/A
Acting = A-
Enjoyability = B+ (for the war)
Visuals = A
Overall = A-
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