Howl's Moving Castle DVD Review

"HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE" reviews

DVD

HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE

Author

anonymous

Date reviewed

2006-03-10 16:32:20

Provider

DVD Review

Following the Oscar-winning Spirited Away was always going to prove a difficult proposition but this touching and vivid film shows Miayazki (the Spielberg of anime) equal to the task.

The tale itself is, as all Miayazki's works are, a multi-textured feast. Part-fairytale, part-political allegory, it tells the story of a young woman called Sophie (voiced by Emily Mortimer), an innocent hatmaker who gets caught up in the ongoing conflict between two war-weary Empires. Rescued by the enigmatic young wizard Howl (Christian Bale) this act of deliverance proves to be a curse when the wicked Witch of the Waste (a stirring Lauren Bacall), who coverts Howl for herself, turns Sophie into an elderly hag. Now voiced by Hollywood's grand old dame Jean Simmons, Sophie leaves her home to take residence in Howl's foreboding castle in the waste lands which separate the two factions.

There she encounters all manner of magical and wonderful characters including the fire demon Calcifer (Billy Crystal) who gives the titular Castle it's energy. Although Howl doesn't recognise the aged Sophie her manner and charm mean he is helpless around her and his feelings for her grow. And yet curses, tragedies and moments of personal triumph must be encountered before we reach a glittering denouement.

The film itself is visually stunning: rich, vibrant colours fill every inch of the big screen and while the voices of such Hollywood A-listers could potentially detract from the story, it's to Miyazaki's credit that they do not.

Children will love the magic and the mystery, adults will appreciate the complex issues lurking beneath the Technicolor exterior. A hit on every level.

DVD extras include: Interviews with author Diana Wynne Jones and Peter Docter, Hayao Miyazaki's visit to Pixar, Behind the scenes: an explanation of CG, trailers, TV spots and much more.