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Movies / On DVD / Howl's Moving Castle
Howl's Moving Castle

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Howl's Moving Castle (2005)

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Reviews Counted:144

Fresh:123

Rotten:21

Average Rating:7.4/10

Consensus: Exquisitely illustrated by master animator Miyazaki, Howl's Moving Castle will delight children with its fantastical story and touch the hearts and minds of older viewers as well.

Rated: U [See Full Rating] for frightening images and brief mild language

Runtime: 1 hr 59 mins

Genre: Childrens

Theatrical Release:23-09-2005

Synopsis: Academy Award®-winning director Hayao Miyazaki ("Spirited Away") takes moviegoers on an amazing new animated adventure that celebrates the power of love to transform and the resiliency of the human... Academy Award®-winning director Hayao Miyazaki ("Spirited Away") takes moviegoers on an amazing new animated adventure that celebrates the power of love to transform and the resiliency of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Brimming with a blend of imagination, humor, action, and romance, "Howl's Moving Castle" recently played to great acclaim at the 2004 Venice Film Festival, and has become one of the biggest blockbusters of all time in Japan – earning more than $193 million at the box office and still counting. A distinguished cast of actors, under the direction of Pixar's Pete Docter ("Monsters, Inc."), lend their vocal talents to this English-language version of the film. Sophie (voiced by Emily Mortimer), an average teenage girl working in a hat shop, finds her life thrown into turmoil when she is literally swept off her feet by a handsome-but-mysterious wizard named Howl (voiced by Christian Bale), and is subsequently turned into a 90-year old woman (voiced by screen legend and two-time Oscar® nominee Jean Simmons) by the vain and conniving Wicked Witch of the Waste (voiced by screen legend and Oscar® nominee Lauren Bacall). Embarking on an incredible odyssey to lift the curse, she finds refuge in Howl's magical moving castle where she becomes acquainted with Markl, Howl's apprentice, and a hot-headed fire demon named Calcifer (voiced by Billy Crystal). Sophie's love and support comes to have a major impact on Howl, who flies in the face of orders from the palace to become a pawn of war and instead risks his life to help bring peace to the kingdom. Extraordinary characters, inventive imagery, and stunning artistry make this latest masterpiece from the visionary Miyazaki an unforgettable filmgoing experience. -- © walt Disney Pictures [More]

Starring: Emily Mortimer, Christian Bale, Jean Simmons, Lauren Bacall

Starring: Emily Mortimer, Christian Bale, Jean Simmons, Lauren Bacall, Billy Crystal, Blythe Danner, Josh Hutcherson

Director: Hayao Miyazaki

Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Screenwriter: Hayao Miyazaki
Composer: Joe Hisaishi
Producer: Toshio Suzuki
Studio: Buena Vista Pictures

[See More Credits]

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  • Theatrical Trailer
    >
    Exclusive Clip: 'Howl in Battle'
    >
    Clip: We're Moving
    >
    Clip: Sophie Finds Howl's Castle
    >
  • Clip: Escape from Suliman
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    Featurette
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    Howl's Moving Castle Trailer
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1 - 4 of 7

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Reviews for Howl's Moving Castle

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21 - 40 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

Miyazaki's latest epic (and that's just what it was... epic) lived up to every expectation.

Full Review Source: Now Playing Magazine | comment Comment
12/20/05
Chris Wyatt
Chris Wyatt
Now Playing Magazine

There is giggling, belly-laughing, and gasping to be done watching Howl's Moving Castle.

Full Review Source: New York Magazine | comment Comment
12/09/05
Ken Tucker
Ken Tucker
New York Magazine

A compelling story is the main ingredient missing from Howl's Moving Castle.

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/06/05
Pete Vonder Haar
Pete Vonder Haar
Film Threat

Miyazaki's animated adaptation of Jones' book is a charming and thoroughly absorbing treat.

Full Review Source: AV Club | comment Comment
09/26/05
Tasha Robinson
Tasha Robinson
AV Club

A terrific little fantasy that will arouse one's childlike curiosity.

Full Review Source: IGN Movies | comment Comment
09/23/05
Todd Gilchrist
Todd Gilchrist
IGN Movies

There are some truly inspired moments, although this new animation from Japanese writer / director Hayao Miyazaki never reaches the heights of the brilliant Spirited Away.

Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
09/18/05
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile

Positively sings with color and light.

Full Review Source: Bryant Frazer's Deep Focus | comment Comment
08/31/05
Bryant Frazer
Bryant Frazer
Bryant Frazer's Deep Focus

It’s Miyazaki’s most difficult work to get a grip on.

Full Review Source: Coast (Halifax, Nova Scotia) | comment Comment
08/09/05
Mark Palermo
Mark Palermo
Coast (Halifax, Nova Scotia)

Strange and beautiful, “Howl’s Moving Castle” is the latest anime offering from Hayao Miyazaki.

Full Review Source: KWQC-TV (Iowa) | comment Comment
07/19/05
Linda Cook
Linda Cook
KWQC-TV (Iowa)

a visual delight and a reminder of the continuing power of two-dimensional animation done right

Full Review Source: Q Network Film Desk | comment Comment
07/10/05
James Kendrick
James Kendrick
Q Network Film Desk

Puts forth a sensitive and well-meaning story that makes sense for today's troublesome world.

Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
07/09/05
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki continues to show there's still a world of wonder to be found in traditional hand-drawn animation.

Full Review Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette | comment Comment
07/09/05
Daniel M. Kimmel
Daniel M. Kimmel
Worcester Telegram & Gazette

It is worth seeing a second time simply to focus on the incredible artistry.

Full Review Source: Kaplan vs. Kaplan | comment Comment
07/07/05
David Kaplan
David Kaplan
Kaplan vs. Kaplan

It's the combination of the characterizations, the of truths dropped here and there in the dialogue, and the sheer visual dazzlement that truly make the film what it is.

Full Review Source: Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) | comment Comment
07/06/05
Ken Hanke
Ken Hanke
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

The story is old-fashioned ... much like a Grimm fairytale, complex and with a dark edge.

Full Review Source: Atlantic City Weekly | comment Comment
07/06/05
Lori Hoffman
Lori Hoffman
Atlantic City Weekly

The moving castle alone is worth the price of admission.

Full Review Source: NYC Film Critic | comment Comment
07/05/05
Ethan Alter
Ethan Alter
NYC Film Critic

What I love so far about Miyazaki is how he never fails to take advantage of the fact that his entertainment medium of choice is animation.

Full Review Source: Window to the Movies | comment Comment
07/01/05
Jeffrey Chen
Jeffrey Chen
Window to the Movies

Don't wait for video. See Howl on the big screen.

Full Review Source: Movie Habit | comment Comment
07/01/05
Marty Mapes
Marty Mapes
Movie Habit

If you like anime even a little, prepare to be stunned.

Full Review Source: Orlando Weekly | comment Comment
06/29/05
J. Bowers
J. Bowers
Orlando Weekly

A beguiling, visually fanciful diversion

Full Review Source: Modamag.com | comment Comment
06/28/05
Susan Granger
Susan Granger
Modamag.com
 
 
21 - 40 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >> >|
all

Latest News for Howl's Moving Castle

August 21, 2008: Japanese Audiences Flocking to Miyazaki's Latest Opens in new window
He delighted audiences with Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle -- and now director Hayao Miyazaki is doing it all over again with his latest film, Ponyo on the Cliff by the... More...

March 20, 2007: Will Miyazaki's Next Film Be His Last?
It's been speculated that legendary animator Hayao Miyazaki will retire after the release of his next film, "Ponyo on a Cliff," but now it looks like we'll have at... More...

October 19, 2006: Critical Consensus: "Flags" Flies High; "The Prestige" Is Magic; "Flicka" Is A Pretty Good Ride; "Marie Antoinette" Spared Critical Guillotine
This week at the movies, we've got a complex tale of heroism (Clint Eastwood's "Flags of Our Fathers," starring Ryan Phillippe), a story of dueling magicians... More...

October 03, 2006: Miyazaki Prepares Next Animation Classic
Let's face it: When the director of "Spirited Away," "Princess Mononoke," and a whole bunch of other brilliant pieces of animation announces that he's about... More...

See All

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