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Hauru no ugoku shiro (2004)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
20 November 2004 (Japan) morePlot:
When an unconfident young woman is cursed with an old body by a spiteful witch, her only chance of breaking the spell lies with a self-indulgent yet insecure young wizard and his companions in his legged, walking home. full summary | full synopsisAwards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 8 wins & 13 nominations moreNewsDesk:
(16 articles)
Trailer For Ponyo Goes Online (From EmpireOnline. 23 June 2009, 1:05 AM, PDT)
Images And Poster From Miyazaki's Ponyo
(From Cinema Blend. 12 May 2009, 3:29 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
A wild and surreal trip into the mind of a master. moreCast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Chieko Baisho | ... | Sofî (voice: Japanese version) | |
| Takuya Kimura | ... | Hauru (voice: Japanese version) | |
| Akihiro Miwa | ... | Arechi no Majo (voice: Japanese version) | |
| Tatsuya Gashuin | ... | Karushifâ (voice: Japanese version) | |
| Ryûnosuke Kamiki | ... | Marukuru (voice: Japanese version) | |
| Mitsunori Isaki | ... | Koshô (voice: Japanese version) | |
| Yo Oizumi | ... | Kakashi no Kabu (voice: Japanese version) | |
| Akio Ôtsuka | ... | Kokuô (voice: Japanese version) | |
| Daijiro Harada | ... | Hin (voice: Japanese version) | |
| Haruko Kato | ... | Sariman (voice: Japanese version) | |
| Jean Simmons | ... | Grandma Sophie (voice: English version) | |
| Christian Bale | ... | Howl (voice: English version) | |
| Lauren Bacall | ... | Witch of the Waste (voice: English version) | |
| Blythe Danner | ... | Madame Suliman (voice: English version) | |
| Emily Mortimer | ... | Young Sophie (voice: English version) |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated PG for frightening images and brief mild language.Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parentsRuntime:
119 minCountry:
JapanLanguage:
JapaneseColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 moreSound Mix:
Dolby Digital EX | Dolby Digital EX (English-language version) | SDDS (English-language version) | DTS-ES (English-language version) | DTS-ESCertification:
Mexico:A | Finland:K-7 | Australia:PG | Sweden:7 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Zurich) | Canada:G (British Columbia/Quebec) | Canada:PG (Alberta/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Argentina:Atp | Portugal:M/6 | Netherlands:MG6 (DVD rating) | Peru:PT | South Korea:All | Malaysia:U | Netherlands:6 (re-rating) | New Zealand:PG | USA:TV-PG (cable rating) | France:U | Singapore:G | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | UK:U | USA:PG | Ireland:G | Brazil:Livre | Germany:6 (bw)Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The character Pazu, from Miyazaki's Castle in the Sky, can be seen running in front of the Wizard Jenkins' door. moreQuotes:
Howl: I feel terrible, like there's a weight on my chest.Young Sophie: A heart's a heavy burden.
more
Soundtrack:
Sekai no Yakusoku moreFAQ
Are the "Wizard Jenkins" and "Wizard Pendragon" doors in the same kingdom?A NOTE REGARDING SPOILERS
Why is he named "Howl"?
more
more
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I think this is possibly Miyazaki's most intriguing movie. All of his other films are very linear and even though their highly varied worlds may be visually stunning and highly creative, I feel the dreamy world of Howls Moving Castle is by far the most captivating, bizarre, and imaginative of all the worlds Miyazaki has ever envisioned.
What I love about this movie is that it's highly emotional without a great deal of logic or plot or story to get in the way. In this way the film is simple, pure, and extremely beautiful. It is as if the characters go from one emotion to the next, in a world that is as random as one's own dreams. Some people have complained about the lack of plot or story or serious character development, but even though the characters are fairly static, their emotions and the physical changes they undergo as they go through these emotions brings out a higher truth that is seldom given such artistic and natural freedom.
I think this is a very smart movie in many subtle ways and it's one that I look forward to watching again on the big screen and then on DVD. Although it flirts from theme to theme to theme with a kind of animated attention deficit disorder, the landscapes and utter unabated surrealism left me stunned and never bored.
Also, from a quizzical character design perspective, Howl is certainly one of if not the most beautiful characters that Miyazaki has ever created. Howl is an interesting departure from Miyazaki's more classical wabi-sabi anime style that most of his heroes and heroines are drawn in as Howl is definitely a very contemporary bishonen.
If you're looking for quaint settings, dynamic characters and a very involving character or plot driven story, you're not going to necessarily find them here, but you will find an equally stunning and pleasing movie if you let yourself go and enjoy this passionate, heartfelt and surreal Miyazaki dream.