Howl's Moving Castle (2004)

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. January 2, 2009

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 the scale. He would have been better to claim this was merely based on the novel and give the movie a different name, similar to what was done with the adaptation recently of the Dark is Rising, Seeker, as what Miyazaki presented, while pretty, was mostly certainly *not* Howl's Moving Castle. December 11, 2008

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. November 29, 2008

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! November 17, 2008

Loved this. Great for a wide audience

I gave this 5 stars because it is very good anime and a very good story line that is great for a wide audience. There's a wide variety of anime out there and this is something that would be a wonderful starter. November 16, 2008

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