Mar 23, 2025
This Ghibli movie is directed by Hayao Miyazaki. The story follows a girl who is cursed into an old woman, and her journey leads her to meet Howl, eventually becoming his housekeeper. I assume you've already read the synopsis, so I won’t waste time repeating it. Let’s get straight to the review. Since this movie is quite famous and well-loved, my review will likely get lost among thousands of others. If you come across this and like it, feel free to leave a thumbs-up!
This is my second Ghibli movie. I think the movie is decent. I’d say it deserves a 7-ish rating, yet it's enjoyable.
...
The plot becomes a bit messy in the middle, and there's little to no logic behind certain elements. The unexplained use of magic made things confusing. The romance also lacks proper development. But despite all that, it's still a highly enjoyable watch.
The animation is appealing, and I really love Howl’s character design. Some scenes had inconsistencies in his design, but that’s expected since it’s hand-drawn. Considering the sheer effort that goes into traditional animation, I really appreciate the artistry. The music at the end was also great.
The movie has a good vibe overall, but Howl’s motivations should have been explored more. His childhood needed better development. He’s a dramatic and likeable character, but the lack of depth in his character is a drawback. The ending also felt rushed. It wrapped up too quickly without proper relationship development, also leaving several questions unanswered.
Despite its flaws, it’s still a great movie. It’s fun, family-friendly, and easy to enjoy. I believe it deserves a rating around 7, my personal enjoyment doesn't change that. I’m giving it a final rating of 7. If you like Disney fantasy films especially Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, or The Princess and the Frog and want something with a similarly lighthearted yet beautifully animated style, you’ll probably enjoy this one!
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
What did you think of this review?
Nice
0
Love it
0
Funny
0
Confusing
0
Well-written
0
Creative
0Show all