Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) Binding: DVD Brand: Buena Vista Home Video EAN: 0786936296662 Format: Animated, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Widescreen, NTSC Label: Walt Disney Home Entertainment Manufacturer: Walt Disney Home Entertainment Number Of Items: 2 Publisher: Walt Disney Home Entertainment Region Code: 1 Release Date: March 07, 2006 Running Time: 119 minutes Sales Rank: 780 Studio: Walt Disney Home Entertainment Theatrical Release Date: 2004
Good movie. Better book.
First off, I watched the movie before I read the book so that could change my perspective a little. That being said I love the movie of Howl's Moving Castle. I just love the book more which is why the movie doesn't get five stars from me.
This movie centers around Sophie, an 18 year old girl who is under a curse that makes her look about 90. Howl is a "wimpy wizard" (so says the included trailers) who creates a moving castle to hide from the Witch of the Waste (and the King, and anyone else that might want something from him). Calcifer is the fire demon who makes the castle work. There is also an assortment of amusingly unusual characters to choose from in this movie. Together they make a great movie but I did think that the anti-war theme ... Read More
Our whole family enjoyes this movie.
After renting this movie, we had to buy it.
Our entire family enjoyed this movie, and keeps enjoying it. It's pretty odd for Dad to watch "a Cartoon" but he even sits down and watches it with the children and myself when we watch it. The kids put it in, and in no time I find myself drawn in, sitting down to watch too.
I even purchased copies for our friends with small children as holiday gifts. So far they all really like it too.
It's a great story, great direction, great animation. Love, witches, wizards, kings, demons, and even beauty in the mist of war.
Visually stunning, but a very weak adaptation
I have been a Miyazaki fan in the past. I thought Spirited Away was both a beautiful piece of work and had an intriguing plot with good characterization. Howl's Moving Castle was a very pretty movie, but it lacked substance. The original story in the novel is fun and engaging and does not leave nearly as many plot holes as what Miyazaki did to this extremely loose interpretation. It is basically the name of the story, the names of the characters, a very simple beginning skeleton of the general "gist" of the book, and then Miyazaki turned the rest of it into a protest against the war in Iraq.
Artistic license to bring something to the screen is one thing, but what Miyazaki did to what is a beloved story to many was much farther along ... Read More
Most under-rated film of all time
This film stole my heart. I am not even an anime fan, but I reluctantly watched this movie on a recomendation. It is refreshingly original to say the least. Why did I not hear about this movie upon its release?! This is The best thing I have ever seen come from Disney! It will break you out of the box of ordinary movies. Howl's Moving Castle took my imagination on an emotional adventure which I shall never forget. Buy this film without hesitation.
Creative genius at its finest
This is the finest example of creative genius I have seen in years!!!! Destined to be an example which all fantasy wtiters will hold their work up to and see if they have come close. Just buy it and get ready to be dazzled by innovative,fresh,imaginative story telling!
