Hello all! Still been frettfully busy running around! However I DID get a chance --thanks to my wonderful pirate grandparents-- to sit down and watch Hayo Miazaki's latese: Howls Moving Castle.

I am pleased, It turned out to be pretty interesting, and seeing as its based off of an english novel I'm going to go out to buy the book soon :) I'm such a book worm sometimes *Wigglewiggle* Althoughe I thouroghly loved this movie, there were some points that seemed a bit odd. First off, Now I can't compare to the origional japanese script here seeing as Grandma taped this for us, But Not many of the key points were explained all to well. Such as the Witch of the waste's odd beheivior near the end of the movie (Sorry if this comes out vague I'm trying to resist spoielers for those who have not seen the movie). You kind've needed to be paying really close attention to the diolauge to get that point. However her childish remarks came out rather hilariously near the end aswell. Also the contract with calcifer was a little vague aswell, KINDA FORGOT TO MENTION THAT HE WAS A STAR EH? *Coughe* ahem...oh wait speaking of that lil guy! He was simply amazing as a character! I adored his lines, the ones that got to me the most were "Ah great I'm being carried off by a crazy lady with a shovel!" As well as the "May all your bacon buurrn" bit. That was highly amusing. Overall this was another wonderfuly imaginitive and artisticly stunning film from the renowned Miyazaki. Even for one based off of an english novel, although drasticly different I beleive he'd of done the book justice. Unfortunatly, Miyazaki-san seemed to have a few weak points in this movie that IMO made it a little less enjoyable on my part. For one the Lack of various explanations, and the overall pace and flow of the movie. The introduction of howl seemed a bit early but, if any later there wouldn't be much of a begining so I'm letting that slide, What Reeeally bugged me thoughe was Sophie (our heroine)'s reaction to the curse placed upon her. While lacking confidence and self esteem from the beginning, she seemed to accomodate to her predicament o little TOO well. Sure she freaked at first, but her transition to simply dealing with it seemed a little to quick for a realistic character. But she did make for an adorable old crone! I wanted to hug her. Yet I suppose this might've been done to emphasize her lack of confidence in her beauty. Something Catman007 pointed out during the movie was that sophie's fluctating transition from Old to youg, became rather confuseing and annoying, as they would be like BAM in your face! One seconed she's old, and like two seconds of dialouge later scene change and she's young. However I found this rather interesting, I saw it as showing her confused emotions and opinions on herself as well as her beleif and love of Howl in a visual conflict. Ah yes! They also seemed to not mention the fact that her curse apparently lifted when shew was asleep. CONFUSEINGMUCH. Other than those points and Howl's overly flamboyant prettyness, I adorred this movie! The slow movment animations, the tidbits of magical workings, the strong characters facing inpossible odds. Overall a rather surreal feel was given to this rendition of Diana Wyne's Original novel.

The plot was followable for a first watch but could use a rewatch to get other points across to a first time veiwer, Animation was nothing less than whats to be expected from the magical workings of Ghibli studiois, and overall a wonderfull story both on its own and as a compliment to its inspirer.

THIS HAS BEEN ANOTHER ODD ANIME REVEIW BY YOUR LOCAL SPAZ.

Also a shout out to Ultramaniacs152 and (The sadly now absent from theO) Riri-chan12, as today was they'er birthday! I love you twoooo! Happy B-day!

And if you haven't yet go check out Ekedo AKA Gray4God's Avitar shoppe! Or I'll eat you. Seriously.

~ReN

Life: 04/06/08 | Posted By: renari-chan | 3 comments