[Anime Movie/Book] Howl's Moving Castle

[zhy378]

Based on Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones. Howl's Moving Castle follows the story of young Sophie Hatter, a bookworm, the eldest of three daughters, a girl doomed to an uninteresting life as a hat maker. Sophie resigns herself to her boring fate, but fate has other plans for her. Cursed by the Witch of the Waste with the body of a 90-year-old woman, she finds her way to the moving castle inhabited by the wizard Howl, said by all to eat the souls of young girls.
Howl has been cursed by the Witch as well, and is seeking the love of young girl to help him break the curse. The book has enchanted readers of all ages for nearly 20 years, and the film is set to be released on November 20, 2004 in Toho theaters across Japan.
The screenplay for the film was written by Hayao Miyazaki, who also directed the film. Katsuya KONDOU (Kiki's Delivery Service) was the Animation Director. Mamoru Hosoda had been selected to direct the film but abruptly left the project. Miyazaki then took up the director's role.

:excited: cant wait for the movie, i love that book, read it more than twice, plus since is by Miyazaki, even better :happy: So have u guys hear about it, read the book?

[twink0star]

absolutely love miyazaki 's work !!! cant wait for da movie to be released ...

[ankh]

I just caught the movie 2 days ago.

I liked the movie, but I find the plot somewhat lacking compared to Miyazaki's previous genuis work Spirited Away.
And the fact that the movie was loosely adapted from a novel with the same title by Diana Wynne Jones, in my opinion Miyazaki didn't do well to tie in the loose ends.
A lot of details were left unexplained (I shall not list since it'll be spoiler-ish) and I ended up coming out of the theatre confused.

Aside from the lack in plot, the visuals were still as good as ever.
I love how the steam planes look and the cute moving castle.
The characters were lovable too.
Markl (such a cute name!), Howl's apprentice was so cute! Calcifer and the Witch of the Wastes provided the humour. Howl was such a bishounen *drools* despite being such a vainpok and Sophie definitely kicked more ass as an old lady.
Oh the voice casting was well done too... I kept listening out for KimuTaku's voice. Haha.

[petricia]

hmmm... i caught the movie as well....
for me... it is quite cool and nice... visual and the sound tracks are really wonderful..
the plot wise... maybe a little confusing.... my friend and i were trying to come up with a reason... *spoiler* why Sophia looked older and at times younger... *spoiler end*

Apart from it... i think it is still a wonderful piece of work... :bleh:

[ankh]

Hmmm petricia... I shall try to answer your question.
I find that very puzzling too.

*spoiler*
The contract between Howl and Calcifer, in my opinion was about Howl finding his true love which would mean that he could feel with his heart.
Remember Calcifer says that he would help Sophie lift the curse if she breaks the contract between him and Howl? And how Sophie was the one Howl had been waiting for, she unknowingly loves Howl and also extends Howl's love for her so Calcifer's powers whose source is Howl's heart would gradually return her to her original form.
When they deny each other feelings, Sophie looks older.
*spoiler end*
Sorry it sounds so confusing and gibberish. I didn't understand a lot of it too.

[twink0star]

wait ...where did u guys see it !?!!?!?!? is it released ????!!?!?? cuz i dont hear ANYTHING about here in tx ...or rather U.S.

[Elisya]

Oh its from a book. Gee...now I know. LOL.
Anyway, I find the trailer quite interesting...Planning to watch it with my brother though...
Oh yah, the movie was rated 4 or 5 stars, if I'm not wrong.

[ankh]

wait ...where did u guys see it !?!!?!?!? is it released ????!!?!?? cuz i dont hear ANYTHING about here in tx ...or rather U.S.

The opening dates for each country
Japan - November 20, 2004
Korea - December 24, 2004
France - January 12, 2005
Switzerland (French) - January 12, 2005
Taiwan - February 5, 2005
Singapore - February 24, 2005
Hong Kong - March 17, 2005
USA - June 10, 2005
Brazil - July 1, 2005
Sweden - September 2005
Belgium - 2005 (unconfirmed)
Israel - 2005 (unconfirmed)
Germany - 2005 (unconfirmed)
The Netherlands - 2005 (unconfirmed)
UK - 2005 (unconfirmed)

We live in Singapore. Go watch it, it's really good!

[twink0star]

ahhhh thats sucks...u.s is slow...coming out in june....imma get my peoplez to buy it for me in HK

[indigo]

I was almost going to create a thread for one of my favourite idol :D
I can't believe they released it soooo late, I was about to watch it in Japan last year when it opened, but it was hell expensive and I had to wait for 3 long months! Aha, but I finally got the chance to watch and Miyazaki really live up to his name <3333333

The movie was insanely hilarious and all the characters were so darn kawaii I'd kidnap Markl and Calcifer if they're real :shifty: Ahhhh and Howl's simply gorgeous, I love his hair XDDD *butIpreferitblonde* And the Witch of the Waste, she looks so funny after her powers were removed that we can't stop laughing aloud at the cinema everytime we saw her :tongue: *is going for a second time for the movie*

However, I had to agree that Spirited Away was better, in the plot and the visuals, but it's still a great film worth the money :bleh: Hope the DVD comes out fast, I wanna complete my collection :-)

Edit: I went to catch a second time today XDDD I want more...

[zhy378]

hehe almost forgot i started this thread...:rolleyes:

so yeah, i saw the movie when it came out in theatre, too bad like always movies like these are only shown in certain theatres. saw the movies with my friends, hehe. yeah the movie, some parts seem a bit confused and not explained. didn't like how they put some characters together, like the queen with the witch..same outline of the plot, of sophia being cursed then found her love, but weirdly didn't stick with the book, the book is so much interestin, guess too much info to put into a movie...man i think i needa read this book again lol. oh yeah:happy: i got the movie from china. tho it is japanese and cantonese, except the sucky part is the subtitles do not match like it is from another movie or soemthing...:dry: