Howl’s Moving Castle

Opened June 10, 2005 (limited release)

Opened June 17, 2005

Starring: Christian Bale, Emily Mortimer,

Billy Crystal, Lauren Bacall

Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki

Running Time: 119 minutes

Rated: PG

Review Rating: A+

I love Hayao Miyazaki’s films and Howl’s Moving Castle is no exception. The film tells the story of Sophie (Emily Mortimer), a shy, insecure teenaged girl who works in a hat shop. While going to see her sister at the bakery she meets a mysterious wizard named Howl (Christian Bale) who quite literally sweeps her off her feet.

Later that evening a run n with the Wicked Witch of the Waste (Lauren Bacall) leaves Sophie a 90 year-old woman. Leaving the hat shop and the city behind, Sophie heads into the wastelands where she meets a cursed scarecrow who leads her to Howl’s mysterious moving castle. There she meets Markl, Howl’s apprentice, and Calcifer, a fre demon wonderfully voiced by Billy Crystal. As Howl, Markl, Calcifer and Sophie form a family Sophie’s love gives Howl the strength he needs to risk his life and bring peace to the kingdom.

Beautifully animated this story holds the interest of adults and youngsters. Based on the book by Diana Wynne Jones the only bump seems to be the lack of explanation for Madame Suliman’s (Blythe Danner) motive for apparently instigating the war and the ease with which she accepts the end of the war and her plans. Highly recommended. - Stephanie L Bannon