Howl's Moving Castle

About two years ago I went to see a relatively unknown animated film called Spirited Away at my local arthouse cinema. I didn't know what to esxpect, but ended up loving the film and have bought it and seen it many times since. I have seen some other studio ghibli films since, but have been anticipated this, their latest offering (an adaptation of a book by a British author of all things) for months now. Well last week I went to see it and.... I was blown away again. Hiyao Miyazaki is a very special filmmaker. He has childlike visions of pure imagination and the talent and ability to put that on sceen in an undiluted form. Films like this are such a refreshing change from typical Hollywood movies where predicability and formula so often rule, meaning nothing leaves you with a sense of wonder any more. This film, however, is full of moments that just make you smile. Little touches that make the world he has created come to life, it is so vibrant and colourful and tagible that I wanted more. I wanted to wander the paved streets, the mix of european architecture intergued and surprised me for a Japanese film. Some of the landscapes are as lush and beautiful as anything Pixar have created inside a computer and knowing this has been hand crafted gives it a special touch. The story itself focuses on a young girl who is cursed into looking like an old woman. She sets out to find the myserious wizard Howl who patrols the countryside in his moving castle (hence the title). The plot is unexpected and constantly intreguing. Miyazki handles many different elements well, there is a war going on as well, of which we only get small glimpses and little explanation. In fact about the only criticism I could give this film is the somtimes unclear storyline. In places it becomes quite complicated and many things are left unexplained, it's not a big problem at all, but it means that unless you are willing to just go with sometimes unexplained turns of events you may be left feeling cheated. But Miyazaki's aim is not just to tell a story, or to make a statement about the world today, but to focus on these characters and that hallmark of all his work - love. Once again these are complex characters that seem totally real and that you care about. The voices are excellent, I saw the dubbed version and while I would like to have had the original Japanese ones, the English voices are very well done and suit the characters perfectly. I can't say enough about this film really. It came as a wonderful wake up call to the possibilities of cinema and another example of why Miyazaki is such a talent. This is a film for everyone and it's warmth, humour and heart will make it a favorite of mine for years to come I'm sure. If you haven't seen this and are not sure I encourage you to take a chance and try something new, this is a film that's worth the risk. Miyazaki does it again with a wonderfully magical adventure. More accessible than Spirited Away and just as imaginitive and funny this is an utterly charming film that you will fall in love with instantly. Only let down by the slightly confusing and ambiguous plot.