Whether you're a seasoned anime Veteran or introducing yourself or others to the world of anime and don't want to dive into a 12 episode series. This is a staple must watch!
TL;DR
A staple anime for newbies and veterans alike.
Jaw-droppingly amazing artwork
Shabby but workable storyline
The English DUB is good! No need for a sub, look at the art!!
But most importantly:
Excellent character building and relatability with interesting mechanics at play.
Fantastical music choice! In and outside of the movie!
...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
STORY 6/10 - Ok so this is probably the worst part of this movie.
But hey, if a cliché love story premise can lubricate a lack of concreteness in story, then honestly it doesn't matter at all.
The story feels like the moving Castle if it completely broke down and struggled to keep moving but is functional enough for the rest of the elements of this movie to keep it going somehow.
The spontaneity of love is truly an amazing sight to behold and this movie does bend many things around this concept to stay afloat, which does in this case work!
Now once you're done watching the movie and you're wondering about many things with the story, have a look at this reddit post
~SPOILERS~ >> https://www.reddit.com/r/AskScienceFiction/comments/5317ee/howls_moving_castle_yo_what_is_going_on_spoilers/
^^ This post will likely answer your questions just as it answered ours.
In essence, many things felt forced for the sake of the plot to continue forward. It really didn't matter but this lack of substance was evident enough for us to be confused midway into the movie.
However the power of love (despite its cheesiness [it's from 2004, so maybe not cheesy then aha]). I still adore it and loved it throughout. But just don't expect mind-bending amounts of plot that makes sense, the ride is what you're here for after all.
However, the theory crafting on the protagonist evident in the story and other characters were more than just thought provoking on the conditions and such. So I do adore that component if anything.
Maybe the completeness I'm looking for maybe within the light novel itself. But like I said, it truly doesn't really matter.
P.S. Did you know that this movie is probably linked with the Iraq War?! and Mr Miyazaki didn't accept an award for his other piece, "Spirited Away" as he didn't want to visit a country that bombs other countries?!
Again, as interesting as this info is it parallels the story. Not needed and not the truly important component of this movie to enjoy this movie and take away some important ideas on love, beauty and how this intertwines on societies' dichotomies and viewpoints on war.
ART 11/10 - Ok so this. This was epic.
The background art was all made in watercolour and apparently took 3-4 yrs to make! The insanity and amount of time/dedication this took shows immensely, where nearly every frame of pure background can be wallpaper material (my personal favourite, Howl's room). There are times even when the background has some animation while maintaining the same level of quality. If you're an art person and are looking for inspirations for high-quality works, I definitely recommend this movie as a place for inspiration on how capturing realism and adding more can be done correctly! (Note early in the movie there is a frame where a wall is being shown with a sign and the rust stains and everything looks highly realistic, but the fantasy elements are all intact).
Animation 10/10 - Now why is this separate to art? I gave the animation an 8/10 before. But on a re-examination of this movie, it really is a 10/10.
I have separated this as the quality of animation between background art and moving animation with CGI and such can literally make or break an anime (e.g. Berserk, generic mech anime). So I feel like it is a relevant talking point.
Now the specific characters movements and such definitely feel ordinarily done, but the sheer amount of polish on more exquisite scenes later in the movie. Truly they speak for themselves on the maintenance of the level of quality in this movie.
However, With flag movements, some marching, it feels like it is the work of CGI, however the limited time for these scenes often means that seeing these slight imperfections trickier to most viewers and for that and the rest that this movie does, I feel obliged to let it go as it really does not detract from this wonderful piece of work.
MUSIC/sound 10/10 - So I made sure to listen to the music as well afterwards and see how it was in the movie and outside of it.
So my friend really hyped me up for the music and well, in the movie, that unforgettable theme song is nearly recognisable anywhere! I love that!
In the movie, the music all fits very nicely to help emphasise the themes and emotions and do not feel jarring in any way!
Outside of the movie, you can really appreciate the full orchestra and the effort that has gone into it completely! Truly amazing OSTs, if you're looking for fewer high effort songs compared to many amazing pieces from the Monogatari series, this will not disappoint from your usual study music mix!
CHARACTER 10/10 - Again, I initially gave character 7/10, but the hardships and emotions and foundations of nearly every character resound all across the movie to build characters with depth and reasons for their actions we, as an audience, can begin to decipher and understand.
Some characters are cowards who want to run but then find reasons not to and we can understand that.
Some characters are angry about their love gone sour and act accordingly.
Some characters don't know that their current situation is really what they wanted afterall and after having the choice to leave it, realise they don't want to.
Some characters believe they are unloveable and ugly, but that such concepts don't matter when there is love amongst both parties.
Some characters portray the system and carry out whatever they have to, even if they know the futility and stupidity of it all.
Some characters appear vain and shallow but every person has their reason for their actions despite this, we still think characters are vain and shallow.
Some characters often just break away and enjoy the moments when they come and want a place they can call home.
Some characters cannot even speak and yet are still kind even beyond our own reasoning on why. Yet it still is. An undeniable fact
The illogical way we humans act sometimes and the fierce rationality we also can portray form such a rich dichotomy. Through the characters in this movie, I believe these concepts are fleshed out well and form a rich cast of characters one can truly care about and understand, even if initially unclear.
The movie does break the cardinal sin of, "show, don't tell" with "tell, don't show" on some important exposition on character, however there are still plenty of, "show, don't tell" moments and it helps keeps the plot moving which is the best thing the plot can do.
For the characters, this is honestly more than fine as an initial catalyst for us in the audience to jump forward and deepen our connection and understanding of the characters presented.
VOICE ACTING - I watched the English dub version on Netflix, a little cringe at first but quickly the immersion of the world takes over! No issues here! No need for the sub (heck I liked the dub since you can spend more time looking at the amazingly beautiful art!).
I'm not very versed in voice actors, however, nothing jarringly out of place with the dub, infact I liked it. However, with no comparison, I will not score this.
OVERALL - My first Studio Ghibli movie I have watched and truly Hayao Miyazaki and his team have shown me why I have been constantly recommended this movie and others over the years!
Once again, I recommend this movie from the bottom of my heart and I only score this as a 9/10 and not a 10 because of its story. Truly the other elements allow this movie to soar higher, to fly farther than many things I have witnessed. What an unforgettable experience.
Take care and Study hard
~JST
Oct 3, 2020
Howl no Ugoku Shiro
(Anime)
add
Whether you're a seasoned anime Veteran or introducing yourself or others to the world of anime and don't want to dive into a 12 episode series. This is a staple must watch!
TL;DR A staple anime for newbies and veterans alike. Jaw-droppingly amazing artwork Shabby but workable storyline The English DUB is good! No need for a sub, look at the art!! But most importantly: Excellent character building and relatability with interesting mechanics at play. Fantastical music choice! In and outside of the movie! ... |
