Howl's Moving Castle
There is not much that can be said about Studio Ghibli that hasn't already been uttered in revered hushed tones. Alongside Disney, they are the pinnacle of animation - helping create wildly imaginative action filled pieces that speak to the heart and soul of adult and child a like. The powerhouse evocatively gifts us stellar films that, even when received poorly in comparison to their greats are still a level above over animation films. When they are bad, they are actually great. When they are good, they are superb. That's an achievement in skill and defying cinematic excellence that is rarely replicates. To celebrate the recent The Tale of Princess Kaguya release, presumed to be the studios last, Film4 are hosting a season of Ghibli films which is an insanely good reason to get your children into the films during the Easter Break. Especially to watch Howl’s Moving Castle repeatedly.
Based on a book by Diana Wynne Jones, Studio Ghibli's 2004 fantasy spectacle is a sublime treat visually and narratively. The film revolves around Sophie, a lowly hat maker who does not think of herself as anything special. A chance encounter with the mystical wizard Howl, who aims to steal the hearts of young women, sends her on a journey of self-discovery as, through jealousy, the Witch of the Waste transforms her into a 90 year old women. Running away from home, she soon gets swept up in Howls titular moving castle with a whole host of characters including Calcifur the flame and s young boy named Markl. But as the country is torn by war, Howl’s talents are sought out in order to aid the Queen whilst he flatly refused for pacifist reasons setting a new motion for the gang to follow.
Howl's Moving Castle is a gorgeous and timely film that sweeps along with these unforgettable images. Doused in a whole spectrum of colours, the anime romp is a terrific example of how to use pen and palettes for tone. Enhancing the already excellent narrative, the entwining of magical creatures with the realism of war is ultimately spell binding. Adding enough quirks such as the enchanting creature like castle kept alive by Calcifur, Howl's Moving Castle is an astonishing visual feast. Every second is another for your eyes to completely gorge upon and feel satisfied on the beautiful, divine aesthetics.
Sophie is a terrific heroine to invest in and feels much like the catalyst for recent dystopian war based films such as Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games. Believing herself to be unassuming at first, when she grows haggard she uses the transformation to find comfort, strength and will. The confidence and determination she powerfully encompasses delightfully sparks a journey of self-innovation and hope. Though largely ignored in her prior life, the aged version she becomes - all with a core of vitality - enthuses together to become a hero; a voice of reason that sees the centre of all around her including Howl.
It's interesting because comparatively, as she finds her strength, Howl becomes to lose his. Admirably, the plot doesn't make her a silly young woman who, through her besotted obsession, follows him around. Instead, she sees the inner spirit, however impetuous it is. The stubborn Howl is matched in dialogue and action by Sophie's fiery spirit and that allows the pair to really grow together.
There is a definitive message here that it isn't your shell that completes you, but the core within you. Sophie's transformation is treated as a hindrance for roughly a minute and soon she finds freedom in it. The unequivocally is a superb lesson for all those who watch it. Sophie finds her own voice and family, it's a gorgeous take away for anyone who feels trapped in the shadows.
Alongside this is the message that you can help, aide and give to people but you must retain some of that power for yourself; giving away all of your heart even starts to ebb away at the person you bestowed it too. Ultimately, if you look deeper, that is what Calcifur and Howl's relationship is trying to say. Whilst it is admirable that Howl saved Calcifur's life by giving him his heart - the pair end up regretful and unidentifiable with the fire demon feeling cursed and trapped with the burden while Howl is stuck in a childlike personality transforming into beasts through petulance. When Howl is given back his heart - the pair are and Cal is not lost either; returning to share in the plentiful rewards of the finale.
Howl's Moving Castle is a beacon, if you will, of excellence. A stirring impeccably divine film with a lot of thematic resonance, legendary filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki captures a burning heart and passes it on through audiences and generations. A must see for fans of any cinema, this is part of a legacy that Studio Ghibli encompasses.