Howl's Moving Castle

Buena Vista International | Release Date: June 10, 2005

8.7	USER SCORE Universal acclaim based on 541 Ratings

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User Reviews

User score By date Most helpful

animefanMar 8, 2006

Complete mess, aswell as weakest Ghibli movie so far.

1 of 7 users found this helpful

gimmedatsammichDec 7, 2012

Stunning animation and charmingly idiosyncratic characters fail to make up for an incomprehensible, utterly nonsensical plot- even by anime standards. I never once felt like I understood what was going on. What, exactly, is this "war" about?Stunning animation and charmingly idiosyncratic characters fail to make up for an incomprehensible, utterly nonsensical plot- even by anime standards. I never once felt like I understood what was going on. What, exactly, is this "war" about? Who is the Witch of the Waste, and why did she curse Sophie? Who is Howl? Why does the moving castle have a tongue? Perhaps the answers to these questions can be found in the book on which the film is based, but you won't find them here. Children and adults alike will enjoy the intricate, vibrantly colored artwork that fills each and every frame of "Howl's Moving Castle," but I doubt many among us would be able to explain just what the heck the movie was about. Miyazaki's previous film, "Spirited Away," is a far superior work.… Expand

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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TyranianApr 8, 2019

Terrific animation but can't shake the feeling of bizarre incoherency typical of Japanese animated films.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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papeadojhonAug 21, 2016

Howl's Moving Castle suffers from confusing storytelling, incomprehensible story and character development, undone characters and choppy plot points, enough to downgrade its beautiful animation, great score, an interesting first impressionHowl's Moving Castle suffers from confusing storytelling, incomprehensible story and character development, undone characters and choppy plot points, enough to downgrade its beautiful animation, great score, an interesting first impression and imaginative ideas.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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GoobisJul 8, 2020

The movie starts out strong and is at it's best when Sophie is interacting with anyone other than howl. Howl is the most boring, bland character in the film and whenever Sophie interacts with him the film stops being nearly as interesting.The movie starts out strong and is at it's best when Sophie is interacting with anyone other than howl. Howl is the most boring, bland character in the film and whenever Sophie interacts with him the film stops being nearly as interesting. Also the twist is one of the stupidest things put on film.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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AcclamationAug 13, 2018

The short answer is that this is a Feminist rant, chick flick, mainly for retarded or soon-to-be retarded kids.
Morales that are prominant: Fat people suck, hero men wear earings on both ears, random people will destroy your life, young girlsThe short answer is that this is a Feminist rant, chick flick, mainly for retarded or soon-to-be retarded kids.
Morales that are prominant: Fat people suck, hero men wear earings on both ears, random people will destroy your life, young girls should clean houses, war is bad.

Some of this is true . . . Good luck figuring out which morals are true after watching this.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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edwardolardoSep 3, 2019

first Ghilbi movie here. Was expecting a great anime, since everyone seems surprised i've never watched a Ghilbi movie and apparently they're good. But i was bored to death for the whole 2 hours. 3 points only for the classic art style and animation.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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KenE.Mar 22, 2006

It was almost totally incomprehensable. I was pretty much hoping they would finally fall over a cliff and get it over with.... a huge dissapointment given the glowing ratings from most sources.

3 of 15 users found this helpful

DebrissanceJun 17, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I am ENRAGED First of all, the stereotypes are KILLING ME. Poor country girl who thinks she's ugly just because she doesn't wear makeup is being hit on by men, saved by a charming prince figure, who then shows up to his house and cleans it like some snow white rip off. The "master of the house" sees that as normal, is emotionally and mentally immature as seen in the little back story with having a child's heart, or when he was about to destroy the entire house because his hair color changed. He is seen as the bread winner and LITERALLY GOES TO WAR.

Tell me it's based off life in the 50's without telling me it's based off life in the 50's.

Second, this girl gets cursed for NO REASON WHATSOEVER by an evil witch who looks like an important character, who then is dehydrated and turn into their grandma? Somebody tell me how this makes sense because it just doesn't. Same grandma who stole the heart to EAT IT basically threathening the entire movie.

Third, cursed girl whose curse is irrevresible magically transforms back at certain parts of the film and at night with NO EXPLANATION.

Same girl who leaves her hometown doesn't get any homesickness and even when she gets back she has no intent portrayed to visit her home. The mother visits her, doesn't realize her daughter's an old lady, and tries to sabotage the whole thing because of her new rich husband because a husband is more importanf than your daughter who has been missing and is also an old lady.

Fourth. Will you please cut me some slack on the love story? If this movie was supposed to be a love story then let me tell you, they failed MISERABLY. NOT ONCE did Howl have a conversation with her, so the idea of "looks don't matter, personality matters" is completely dismissed. And I'm sorry to break it to you but the only actually good explanation is that he has a thing for old people In conclusion, people GET YOUR S**T TOGETHER THIS MOVIE HAS NO PLOT, IS SUPER STEREOTYPICAL AND A SNOW WHITE RIPOFF, MAKES 0 SENSE AND THE ENDING IS ABSOLUTE GARBAGE. THANK YOU FOR COMING TO MY TEDTALK.
Summary: Read at your own risk… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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JimSep 26, 2008

This movie stinks!

0 of 8 users found this helpful

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