Genre: Animation | Action | Adventure

Director: Hayao Miyazaki

Writers: Hayao Miyazaki, From The Novel By Diana Wynne Jones

MPAA Rating: PG

Run Time: 119 minutes

Summary:

Disney and Studio Ghibli proudly present Academy Award®-winning director Hayao Miyazaki’s (Best Animated Feature, 2002, “Spirited Away”) unforgettable animated adventure “Howl’s Moving Castle” in high definition, on Blu-ray for the first time ever — on May 21, 2013.

The fantastic new Blu-ray Combo Pack release lets “Howl’s Moving Castle” soar like never before with a breathtaking new HD digital transfer of the fantastic animated adventure that celebrates the power of love and the resiliency of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Brimming with a blend of imagination, humor, action and romance, “Howl’s Moving Castle” is the story of Sophie (voiced by Emily Mortimer), a diligent teenage girl working in her family’s hat shop, who finds her life thrown into turmoil when she is literally swept off her feet by a handsome-but-mysterious wizard named Howl (voiced by Christian Bale). The innocent encounter engages the vain and conniving “Witch of the Waste” (voiced by Lauren Bacall), who transforms Sophie into a 90-year old woman (voiced by Jean Simmons). Sophie’s efforts to break the curse bring her to Howl’s magical moving castle, where she befriends Markl (voiced by Josh Hutcherson), Howl’s apprentice, and the hot-headed fire demon Calcifer (voiced by Billy Crystal). Her love and support have a major impact on Howl, who can be maddeningly self-indulgent and singularly noble as he defies royal orders to participate in a meaningless war and risks his life to protect Sophie.

When this movie came out in 2005 it completely escaped me. I am happy to have had the luck to watch it for the first time reviewing the Blu-Ray. I waited to watch it with the kids, but I really didn’t have to. This movie is so meaty in the most magical way that I think I was more into it than the kids, and when they asked me to break for lunch, I might have scowled and huffed a bit.

This movie takes place in in what I can only describe as a brightly colored steampunk futuristic past. The clothes are conservative and traditional and the lands are ruled by Kings and Queens with Witches and Wizards roaming around. The extent of the modern conveniences are extravagant riveted metal flying machines used in the war effort.

The story follows a simple hat maker, Sophie (voiced by Emily Mortimer), who struggles with self confidence. She one day crosses paths a wizard named Howl (voiced by Christian Bale) and her life is forever turned upside down starting with being cursed to look like an old woman (voiced by Jean Simmons).

One of my favorite scenes is right in the beginning when Sophie meets Howl for the first time and he literally and most unexpectedly sweeps her off her feet. I didn’t know anything about the movie at the time and the magic of the moment was breathtaking. Here’s a clip.

My other favorite part of this movie is the look of Howl who has an uncanny resemblance to David Bowie from Labyrinth, as you can probably see from this clip. He continues to remain flamboyant but it’s excellent for the character, and later when he has a temper tantrum over his hair, it’s wonderful to laugh at.

BLU-RAY AND DVD ELEMENTS
“Howl’s Moving Castle” Blu-Ray contains the following special features:
Behind the Microphone
Interview with Pixar Animation Studios Director, Pete Docter
Hello Mr. Lasseter: Hayao Miyazaki Visits Pixar Animation Studios
Original Japanese TV Spots and Trailers
Original Japanese Storyboards

“Howl’s Moving Castle” DVD contains the following special features:
Original Japanese TV Spots and Trailers
Behind the Microphone
Interview with Pixar Animation Studios Director, Pete Docter
Hello Mr. Lasseter: Hayao Miyazaki Visits Pixar Animation Studios

Technical Information – BLU-RAY
Language: English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, Japanese 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, French 5.1 Dolby Digital
Subtitles: English, English SDH and French subtitles
Region: All Regions
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 1.85:1

Technical Information – DVD
Language: English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, Japanese 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, French 5.1 Dolby Digital
Subtitles: English, English SDH and French subtitles
Region: All Regions
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 1.85:1

Howl’s Moving Castle Blu-Ray Combo Pack is one of the most original stories I’ve seen in a long time and I’m glad my kids enjoy it half as much as I do, because I cannot wait to rewatch it. Not only is the story amazing, but the animation is top notch and the Blu-Ray is probably my second best having not seen it on the big screen.

I give Howl’s Moving Castle Blu-Ray Combo Pack 5 out of 5 stars.

 

 
Howl’s Moving Castle Two Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo is available to ship from Amazon starting today! Here’s the link:
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