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MOVIES / ON DVD / HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE
Howl's Moving Castle

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Howl's Moving Castle (2005)

85%
85%
93%
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85 %
Reviews Counted: 133 Fresh: 113  Rotten:20 Average Rating: 7.4/10
 
Consensus: Exquisitely illustrated by master animator Miyazaki, Howl's Moving Castle will delight children with its fantastical story and touch the hearts and minds of older viewers as well. Exquisitely illustrated by master animator Miyazaki, Howl's Moving Castle will delight children with its fantastical story and touch the hearts and minds of older viewers as well. more
 
Rated: PG
Runtime: 1 hr 59 mins
Theatrical Release: Jun 10, 2005 Limited
Box Office: $4,520,887
Synopsis:
Academy Award®-winning director Hayao Miyazaki ("Spirited Away") takes moviegoers on an amazing new animated adventure that celebrates the power of love to transform and the resiliency of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Brimming with a blend of imagination, humor, action, and... [More]
Academy Award®-winning director Hayao Miyazaki ("Spirited Away") takes moviegoers on an amazing new animated adventure that celebrates the power of love to transform and the resiliency of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Brimming with a blend of imagination, humor, action, and romance, "Howl's Moving Castle" recently played to great acclaim at the 2004 Venice Film Festival, and has become one of the biggest blockbusters of all time in Japan – earning more than $193 million at the box office and still counting. A distinguished cast of actors, under the direction of Pixar's Pete Docter ("Monsters, Inc."), lend their vocal talents to this English-language version of the film. Sophie (voiced by Emily Mortimer), an average teenage 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 (voiced by Christian Bale), and is subsequently turned into a 90-year old woman (voiced by screen legend and two-time Oscar® nominee Jean Simmons) by the vain and conniving Wicked Witch of the Waste (voiced by screen legend and Oscar® nominee Lauren Bacall). Embarking on an incredible odyssey to lift the curse, she finds refuge in Howl's magical moving castle where she becomes acquainted with Markl, Howl's apprentice, and a hot-headed fire demon named Calcifer (voiced by Billy Crystal). Sophie's love and support comes to have a major impact on Howl, who flies in the face of orders from the palace to become a pawn of war and instead risks his life to help bring peace to the kingdom. Extraordinary characters, inventive imagery, and stunning artistry make this latest masterpiece from the visionary Miyazaki an unforgettable filmgoing experience. -- © walt Disney Pictures [Less]

Genre: Animated, Japanese, Animation, Fantasy, War, Magic, Theatrical Release

Starring: Emily Mortimer, Christian Bale, Jean Simmons, Lauren Bacall, Billy Crystal

Director: Hayao Miyazaki, Hayao Miyazaki
Screenwriter: Hayao Miyazaki
Composer: Joe Hisaishi
Producer: Toshio Suzuki

DVD Info

Release:

Mar 7, 2006

[DVD Details]
  • Howl's Moving Castle
  • In Hayao Miyazaki's latest animated masterpiece, journey beyond imagination and enter a "breathtaking fantasy world" (Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times) filled with adventure, humor and heart. 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. In a life-changing adventure, Sophie climbs aboard Howl's magnificent flying castle and enters a magical world on a quest to break the spell. Featuring the voice talents of Jean Simmons, Christian Bale, Lauren Bacall, Blythe Danner, and Billy Crystal, Miyazaki's artistry comes to life on DVD with inventive characters, unique storytelling and richly detailed animation.
  • Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment
  • Buy It On DVD

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    Ratings Image

    The film gains a sense of visual wonder almost completely freed from the strains of a narrative-driven film.

    Full Review | Comment
    10/26/07 11:54 AM
    Rob Humanick
    Projection Booth
    N/R

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    08/16/07 03:15 AM
    Dave Calhoun
    Time Out New York
    Ratings Image

    few other films, or indeed filmmakers, would dare take a scene in which two elderly women struggle to climb a staircase and turn it into an extravagant and memorable set piece.

    Full Review | Comment
    07/10/07 01:37 AM
    Anton Bitel
    Eye for Film
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    10/30/06 03:17 AM
    Garth Franklin
    Dark Horizons
    Ratings Image

    A delightfully fanciful movie with engaging storytelling, visual wonders, and such worthwhile themes as contrasting wisdom and perspective with age.

    Full Review | Comment
    09/25/06 01:27 PM
    Russ Breimeier
    Christianity Today
    N/R

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    06/24/06 03:34 AM
    Time Out
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    05/12/06 03:15 AM
    Jim Lane
    Sacramento News & Review
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    03/11/06 03:40 AM
    Jeffrey M. Anderson
    SPLICEDWire
    Ratings Image

    Miyazaki has done better, and his epic style might get the best of him in this film a bit. Still, it is nonetheless a journey worth taking.

    Full Review | Comment
    03/07/06 04:53 AM
    Kevin Carr
    7M Pictures
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    If it weren't for "Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit," "Howl's Moving Castle" would be your winner for this year's Academy Award for Best Animated Picture.

    Full Review | Comment
    02/16/06 07:16 AM
    Christopher Smith
    Bangor Daily News (Maine)
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    As a lover of Fantasy and Sci-Fi books and movies, this cartoon appealed me to with its detailed plot and unique world.

    Full Review | Comment
    02/12/06 07:56 AM
    Scott Nash
    Three Movie Buffs
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    Miyazaki's latest epic (and that's just what it was... epic) lived up to every expectation.

    Full Review | Comment
    12/20/05 09:58 PM
    Chris Wyatt
    Now Playing Magazine
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    12/09/05 03:16 AM
    New York Magazine
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    12/06/05 07:45 PM
    Film Threat
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    09/26/05 03:16 AM
    Onion AV Club
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    If you're in the market for a brilliant piece of family animation you'd be hard-pressed to find anything better this year.

    Full Review | Comment
    09/26/05 03:16 AM
    Joe Utichi
    FilmFocus
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    09/24/05 03:40 AM
    David Edwards
    Daily Mirror [UK]
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    The hand-drawn animation is breathtakingly gorgeous and there's a huge amount of detail that will reward repeated viewings.

    Full Review | Comment
    09/24/05 03:40 AM
    Matthew Turner
    ViewLondon
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    09/24/05 03:40 AM
    Empire Magazine
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    A terrific little fantasy that will arouse one's childlike curiosity.

    Full Review | Comment
    09/23/05 03:20 PM
    Todd Gilchrist
    IGN Movies
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    Related Forums

    Fantastic movie
    by: Rathma 7/11/06


    REEL_REVIEWER
    HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE proves that Miyazaki is as reliable as Pixar, how-l about that!!
    by: REEL_REVIEWER 3/10/06


    REEL_REVIEWER
    HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE proves that Miyazaki is as reliable as Pixar, how-l about that!!
    by: REEL_REVIEWER 3/10/06


    REEL_REVIEWER
    HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE proves that Miyazaki is as reliable as Pixar, how-l about that!!
    by: REEL_REVIEWER 3/10/06


    REEL_REVIEWER
    HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE proves that Miyazaki is as reliable as Pixar, how-l about that!!
    by: REEL_REVIEWER 3/10/06
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    • Howl's Moving Castle at Rotten Tomatoes
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    • Howl's Moving Castle at AskMen
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