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| Howl's Moving Castle : 5 of 5 | |
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5.25.2006
11:29 PM | Link |
 I have a bad habit of buying new DVDs when they're released, and then taking forever to actually watch them! Unfortunately, that's the case with the last batch of Disney-released Miyazaki films, but now I've finally managed to enjoy Howl's Moving Castle again (I was definitely inspired to watch it after enjoying Princess Mononoke so much recently). I really loved this movie at the theater, but after watching it again on DVD I can honestly say I understand it much more. The plot is definitely semi-complex in places, and the pacing isn't even (it starts off leisurely and speeds up drastically at the end), but taking the time to watch it at home with no distractions definitely helped me appreciate what's going on. I love how the movie begins in a pseudo-European world, with no explanation or backstory, and you can instantly accept the setting. Suddenly, Sophie is walking on air with Howl, escaping from evil blob men, and it's all animated so convincingly that it feels real! I love Miyazaki's choices in animation - the movement of the castle is shown in detail, which becomes so believable on its huge bird-like legs, but then for the transformation of Sophie to an old woman, he has it happen off screen (which makes it more mysterious, in a way). The DVD has a great segment where Miyazaki comes to Pixar to visit John Lassater, and he talks a bit at the screening of the English dub to Pixar employees. As usual, I haven't watched the dub, but I'm thankful that Studio Ghibli has allowed Disney to release these masterpieces in the US!
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