Howl’s Moving Castle

Howl’s Moving Castle
Cast: Emily Mortimer, Christian Bale, Jean Simmons
Studio: Walt Disney
Rating: 9/10

CORPORATE LINE: 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.

HOWLS MOVING CASTLE

THE EXTRAS:
2-disc special edition features both the original Japanese soundtrack and an English language soundtrack

“Behind the Microphone” – Featurette with the English language voice cast and footage from the dubbing sessions.

Interview with Pixar Animation Studios Director, Pete Docter

Hayao Miyazaki Visits Pixar Animation Studios with Pixar director John Lasseter

Complete storyboards set to the movie soundtrack

Original Japanese theatrical trailers

FRANKLY: Howl’s Moving Castle is a gem. It’s a cartoon that kids will love and adults will enjoy. The theme is smart and rich of character. Howl’s Moving Castle is a true epic journey.

+ Charlie Craine


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