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Aug 27, 2021 3:11 PM

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Jan 2020
1989
To be frank the only redeeming part of this show is the art and animation. Story wise is okay at first but later on it deranged into a mess of mumbo jumbo 好乐 好乐
Sep 25, 2021 4:46 AM
A sandwich

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Jul 2020
2276
As with many other Studio Ghibli films, it’s main aspect has to be the presentation. Animation wise it's probably better than Spirited Away and the soundtrack is pretty relaxing while not feeling dull and getting intense in the most stress inducing scenes. They certainly didn't disappoint on that front.

However, I can't say the same for the story. For a 2 hour movie to be engaging to me it needs to have some cohesion for me to follow. Instead what I feel we got was an inconsistently behaved protagonist that seems to forget where she came from very quickly, changes her mood according to the plot and falls for a guy that isn't present for half the movie.

Seriously, their interactions didn't come across as a natural progression towards love, making the happy ending forced and a shift from what was happening until that point. Plus, was her aging a metaphor for her relationship status? I couldn't really tell. As for the rest of the characters, Calcifer is probably the best one and the Witch of the Waste lived up to her name in terms of time.

Overall, not bad, but not good either.
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⠎⠓⠊⠊⠅⠕ ⠁⠕⠎⠕⠊⠂ ⠼⠃⠼⠚⠼⠁⠼⠓
Dec 29, 2021 10:28 AM

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Mar 2018
489
Was good at 1 st but mehhhh idk it's pff 6.5/10 for me tho the art was good.
Feb 25, 2022 11:27 PM
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Jul 2018
561910
Maybe the most of a standard family flick I've seen from Ghibli. Still a fun watch though
Mar 5, 2022 10:15 AM

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Feb 2021
2347
Eh it's basically the same as spirited away with even less explanation to things. 4/10
Mar 6, 2022 2:14 PM
🍅 Tomato 🍅

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Feb 2020
121982
Not a big fan of this tbh..

6/10
Apr 8, 2022 9:01 AM

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Nov 2016
462
The graphics was excellent, you just can see the passion and love in it.

But the story was kinda boring.
May 13, 2022 8:29 AM
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Sep 2021
2500
Good movie, watching it from start to end was pretty good. Enjoyed the ride.
The nice plot, characters, and visuals all are good for this movie.

Advice everyone to watch this movie.

I give this movie 8/10.
Jun 23, 2022 8:50 AM
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Dec 2020
367
Good watch.
Characters were well written and animation was amazing.
An 8/10
Jun 25, 2022 12:02 AM
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Nov 2020
2445
I knew I should have watched this! Bro, I legit was about to cry, this movie is such a masterpiece!
Jul 2, 2022 12:03 AM
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Jan 2021
602
I thought this was a confusing mess and I couldn't follow it at all. The ending (last 20 minutes or so) went on simultaneously too long and was too rushed and left most things unexplained. Scenes just transitioned from one to the next because "magic" without any rhyme or reason. The scarecrow turning into a prince who flat out says "I'm going to return to my country to stop the war" was such a cop out. A) who even is this guy, and B) oh that's what they were waiting for, this random dude never mentioned before to stop the war? He's that important he was never brought up before? Why even was there a war going on in the first place, like what was the point. And why was Howl a giant crow? So many things I was expecting answers to at the end and they just hand wave it and end it suddenly because of "the power of love" or some nonsense. I didn't even know until 5 minutes ago this was based on an English book. Well it shows, because something was obviously lost in translation.
Aug 20, 2022 8:55 PM

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May 2015
2109
Best Ghibli movie I've watched so far. Fucking masterpiece of emotions, glorious scenography, remarkable soundtrack, I could keep going.
10/10
Sep 11, 2022 11:43 AM

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Jul 2017
364
this might be my favorite studio ghibli movie ever i meal like wow what a beautiful dream
Oct 27, 2022 6:43 AM
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Oct 2022
1
i always watched it as a child
Nov 27, 2022 5:00 AM
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Jul 2022
1
fav comfort movie its amazing :) can rewatch it a million more times
Dec 3, 2022 12:10 PM
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Dec 2022
3
BRO I KEEP REWATCHING THIS! I LOVED THE MOVIE, AND HOWL IS MY ONE TRUE LOVE. AND THE ENDING WHERE SOPHIE BASICALLY TACKLES HIM OWERJHKWJER I SQUEALED THE MOMMENT HE APPEARED ON SCREEN.

i had some, like, minor questions/plotholes (did howl know sophie was cursed all along? why did sophie bring the Witch of the Waste into the Castle?) and how they fell in love was kinda sudden. But overall, i loved it
Dec 10, 2022 4:56 PM
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Nov 2022
1
it was so beautiful, i loved it
Jan 8, 2023 7:05 PM
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Feb 2022
1
im in love with this movie ,probably gonna watch it again soon<33333
Jan 13, 2023 3:28 AM
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Nov 2020
1
incrivel, simoksmente
Jan 26, 2023 1:22 PM
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Jan 2023
2
Incredible watch as always.
Feb 17, 2023 6:34 AM
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Feb 2023
3
it was good:) thats all
Feb 28, 2023 1:45 PM
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Feb 2023
3
It´s just beautiful. Art.
Mar 16, 2023 3:17 PM

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May 2013
121
Disappointing movie I was expecting more due to the rating. The characters are so-so, story is bad as well as the pacing. The good things that left me a good impression of the movie was the music/sound design and the visuals. Other than that it just felt like a princess disney movie. 7/10

Apr 9, 2023 1:51 PM
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Nov 2020
1
I rewatched it 6 times
Apr 10, 2023 3:13 PM
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Apr 2023
1
It was a very good episode, they introduced a lot of the story, and it was just a very good episode in general. I liked it.
Apr 22, 2023 9:47 PM
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Jan 2023
100
What a great movie !!!!
Jun 5, 2023 5:12 AM
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Mar 2021
1
Always a comfort film for me
Jun 25, 2023 5:19 PM
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Jun 2023
2
O Castelo Animado is an anime/film that is the epitome of perfection, Hayao Miyazaki did nothing wrong when making the animations and when choosing inspiration. The expressions of the characters, the dubbing, the lines of the drawings are impeccable, another work worthy of an award.
Jul 3, 2023 10:20 PM
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Mar 2019
1
pussy tulsa jesus freak
Aug 11, 2023 4:38 PM
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Feb 2020
3
Amazing... Pure magic
Aug 11, 2023 11:27 PM

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Mar 2020
311
My respect for Miyazaki and studio Ghibli increases with each movie I watch, like wow. This is literally visual therapy now lol they never miss with the nature scenes. Not much plot but I loved it nevertheless.
Joe, Joe Forever....
Aug 14, 2023 12:51 PM
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Jul 2018
561910
This movie has a special place in my heart
Sep 23, 2023 5:54 PM

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Nov 2021
736
Finally got to see this in theaters, it was beautiful!
Oct 18, 2023 2:30 PM
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Oct 2023
6
My favourite movie ever
Oct 30, 2023 2:18 PM

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Aug 2022
3501
This looks beautiful, as all Ghibli films do, but the plot felt really weird. A lot of things are brought up, but many of them are left unanswered.
Nov 9, 2023 10:30 PM
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Apr 2023
2
Actual Masterpiece, a must watch!
Dec 4, 2023 9:13 AM
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Jul 2018
561910
Watched for the OST, stayed for the interesting plot and characters!
Dec 7, 2023 10:07 PM

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Jan 2014
1425
even better than the first time around <3 rewatched after reading the book, i highly recommend :)
Dec 9, 2023 7:04 PM
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Sep 2023
1
beautiful music and visuals
Dec 13, 2023 2:12 AM

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Jul 2013
9735
Alright I know this is a children's movie and all that but wtf was that honestly?

>Sophie got accustomed to being a grandma way too fucking fast, there's no process to grief and then acceptance and all that? nothing?
>She felt no hostility towards the witch that cursed her. Because of that, there's no need for forgiveness or anything of the sort. Witch lost her powers and turned really really old, Sophie takes care of her like it's the most common thing to do for someone who ruined your life. Common sense thrown out the window for the sake of feel-good
>Sophie sounds like a grandma even when she's on her younger form. They didn't have budget to hire two voice actors?
>Sophie and Howl's romance is rushed. It's shallow. All of a sudden they both decided they're in love. Again, there's no process.
>Suliman all of a sudden decided to end the war? Just cause she's seen a "happy end"? like what? what about the politics of it? Surely there's a good reason why there was a war in the first place but we don't need to know that do we

Whatever, I'd give it a generous 6 cause of the OSTs. I feel like if they made this into a series, it would've been way better.
Jan 9, 2024 12:23 PM

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Jan 2024
5
Nuance, emotional maturity and character storytelling take centre stage in a rapid paced turismo of breaking down adulthood with seemingly odd, nonsensical story beats woven together by cinema's greatest pastures and a second rate engineering degree.

So yeah, art.
Jan 15, 2024 12:56 PM
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Jan 2024
1
is a beutiful movie

Jan 28, 2024 7:55 AM
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Apr 2022
9
my first ghibli movie, something special
Mar 22, 2024 11:00 PM

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Dec 2022
4707
reached into my soul and violently enhanced my perspective on life and love while all the while being visually immaculate. masterpiece and favorited.
Apr 30, 2024 8:32 PM
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Nov 2022
1
i really falling in love with sophie attitude
May 4, 2024 6:00 PM

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May 2014
2411
Another of Studio Ghibli's masterpieces. A really great movie with a nice portion of romance.


After watching this movie I believe I have watched all of Hayao Miyazaki's top masterpieces.
May 20, 2024 10:13 PM
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Jan 2021
152
I will never get tired of this movie <3
May 21, 2024 10:07 AM
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May 2024
5
Very good anime film.
Jul 2, 2024 12:51 PM
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Dec 2020
1
very cool and chill to watch
Sep 16, 2024 12:55 PM

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Aug 2018
741
After watching half of it when I was younger, and hearing so much about this movie, I finally decided to watch Howl's Moving Castle.
And I must say, I surely understand the hype around this movie.

This movie is just beautiful, the animation is in another complete tier comparing to your standard anime, and the OST that accompanies it makes the experience of watching this marvelous piece of art even better. The characters are all really unique in their own ways, and you quickly become attached to them, and the movie has a whole gives you such a warm feeling, you just see yourself enjoying it without much to go for it. The movie doesn't present any strong premise besides the idea of the moving castle, but you see yourself just hooked to the movie. The way they showcase the magic of this world just feels right. When watching this movie, you get swallowed by this magical world, and you truly forget about all of the problems and stress of your own life, and just live in a magic world for 2 hours, simply a magicl experience really.

However, after so much hype, and such good early memories from this movie, after watching it fully and older, I do have to say that it wasn't able to reach my expectations for it. Although everything I said before makes the movie standout from your normal anime, there's a really big problem with this movie, that is the whole plot. The story in this film is honestly a bit all over the place. As I said, the movie doesn't really present a strong premise, and that ends up hurting the movie in the end, there are a lot of stuff that are never explained throughout the movie. While it is true that the movie does explain some stuff more visually than verbably, there are things that aren't explained either way, or were just way to quick and confusing to make anything off it. One example of a good visual explanation the movie does is the whole curse of Sophie, where you can understand that the whole curse thing was really affected by the way she saw herself, as she said herself in the beginning of the movie that she felt like a old ugly woman, and later in the movie, in the moments she's not worrying about her looks (like when she's sleeping, or when she's worried about Howl), the curse disappears, and by the end of the movie, with the love of Howl, she's able to finally accept herself. However, some proper closure to this would have been appreciated. But this instance is the best explanation they gave in the whole movie.
For a bad example of movie handled explanations, look at Sophie and her mother's relationship, we really never get explained what happened between them, what Sophie thinks of her mother, and what her mother thinks of her, since it's shown she "sold" her own child to the kingdom by delievering a present with a trap. The movie doesn't give any info about that. The same can be said about the war: why did it star, and why did they end it? Just because of the "happy ending"? And why did Sophie destroyed the castle by taking Calcifer out, to then just rearrange the castle again. This last one is said to be explained in the movie, but reality is we really don't see it, because it was supposedly to stop Howl from fighting, but did it really made him stop? It's just a confusing way to put things honestly, and could have been handled better in my opinion.
The movie certainly was made to make us think about these loose ends, but we are given so little, that it's hard to understand the symbolism behind so many scenes, and while I love movies with symbolism behind it, this one just doesn't give us anything to make out our own symbolism to it.
As many said, the final part, where the war starts, the story just becomes a lot messier, and a lot of mysteries start getting "resolved" without any explanation or development actually. When Sophie goes back to Howl's past, and sees him and Calcifer, they don't point to anything explaining why Howl made that pact with Calcifer, with my only theory being that he felt alone.
My biggest gripe with the story itself is how Sophie becomes so attached to them in like 2 days, just doesn't feel that genuine honestly.
I do know the movie is based of a novel, that most likely can answer most of my answers, but I wanted to write this before getting more info about the story, because even if it's an adaptation, I feel like the anime should have been able to explain the story by itself, even if not fully, beeing this it's own piece of art, and not needing a whole novel to make sense.

Enough with my rant, the movie still makes you feel in a way not many movies can, and I might be a bit blinded with nostalgia too, but I just can't give this movie any lower than a 9. I just can't give it the 10, because the plot really makes little sense in many parts, but the whole experience it's still magical.

Overall, a 9/10 for me, an experience that will never forget!
Pages (4) « First ... « 2 3 [4]

More topics from this board

» Should I re-watch subbed?

Krasa - Mar 10, 2014

7 by ssvmdh »»
Mar 29, 8:27 AM

» Howl's moving castle BOOK ???

Enjyu - Mar 16, 2011

10 by ssvmdh »»
Mar 29, 8:24 AM

» Howl's Moving Castle (2004)

Zea_Delphinidae - Apr 1, 2012

4 by ssvmdh »»
Mar 28, 7:30 PM

» Question about Howl and Calcifer *Spoilers*

Kryptoncat - Oct 28, 2009

3 by ssvmdh »»
Mar 28, 7:21 PM

» story question *spoiler*

removed-user - May 5, 2008

18 by ssvmdh »»
Mar 28, 7:15 PM
It’s time to ditch the text file.
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