Howl's Moving Castle [2004] Movie Reviews on CinemaClock

Howls Moving Castle is vastly entertaining, full of just about everything. Thoughtful messages; if you are interested in history, mythology and how we think, this film is for you. Funny, light hearted even in the face of evil, complex but well told, full of metaphors. Obvious reference to our history of wars, but the war machines are whimsical or even silly without playing down their horrible intent. Death and dying are figurative but danger and evil are real, as are trust, innocence, and forgiveness. Adults will enjoy it, but there is a message for the mature among us of all ages that denial ages us, makes us feel pain, makes us feel old, while trust and wonder make us youthful, make us experience beauty. A glimpse, a disturbing suggestion of how powerful people entertain themselves, relevant to today. Duty and loyalty are very evident, reflecting the land of origin and its history (Japan) But the fanciful and funny are always nearby, even in the most serious parts. The castle has a fascinating dial-a-world gadget, a new twist on the transformational and magical. The fate of the witch is to grow up and experience truth which includes her humanity, and we find out that we can have both heart and energy. See it!