Miyazaki’s most romantic film is just as breathtaking 20 years later

Revisiting Howl’s Moving Castle After 20 years, there’s no need, because Hayao Miyazaki’s seminal film from Studio Ghibli isn’t just lush and idyllic, it also takes an attitude. Set in another world where magic is real and wizards roam the countryside, Will Follows the simple Sophia, when she finds herself involved in the affairs of these sorcerers. There is something uniquely enduring about the film, As for all its fantasy elements, the project is accessible to all. Stunning visuals, a timeless love story and relatable characters are just the beginning of what will be remembered for generations.

For audiences who have also read the original book by Diana Wynne Jones, it is obvious that the movie is a loose adaptation, But the spirit and heart of the novel’s story are clear. It is not surprising that Miyazaki was drawn to this book, as it touches on many elements that he often incorporates into his work. Although it was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards, it ultimately lost, unlike its predecessor, Spirited Away. However, a film’s legacy is rarely determined by the awards it wins, and Will Never fails to connect with his audience.

Howl’s Moving Castle is the most romantic Ghibli film

It’s easy to be swept away by the film’s atmosphere

It doesn’t matter whether you’re watching a dubbed version or the Japanese audio; Howl will be charming, enigmatic and devastatingly romantic in every language. The last few years have seen a resurgence in the film’s popularity, as the Internet has made younger audiences aware of it. It helps that Sophie and Howl cosplay is a frequent and expensive couple costume. Trying not to fall in love with Howl throughout the movie is a losing game, but despite the space he takes up in the story and the frame, there’s an even better love story between Sophie and herself.

returned to Will As an adult brings the perspective of seeing how Falling for Howl is basically to Sophie’s development and her journey to learn to see herself truly. Although romance is a significant part of her story, it is a lens through which she can see herself and her power. It is not Howl who lifts Sophie’s curse; She does it herself, and it eventually falls to her to save Howl and the life she’s built. The curse works as a metaphor for the catalyst that comes in young adulthood, which makes us leave home and set out on our own adventures.

Ghibli often puts strong heroines like Sophie at the forefront of the studio’s stories, And she lives up to every standard set by the other characters. Will is rarely ranked at the top of Miyazaki’s best movies, but, to be fair, it’s a competitive list. The movie is comparatively straightforward and easy to follow, but that doesn’t make it simple. There was a misconception when the film first premiered that it lacked the depth of Miyazaki’s other works, but it’s there. The striking visuals may beg for attention, but the story is better crafted than the film is given credit for.

The technical aspects of Will are just as beautiful and compelling as if the film had been animated yesterday, and it’s easy to see why The aesthetics of the movie have inspired many and taken on a life of their own. It is impossible to talk about Will Not to mention Joe Hisaishi’s near-perfect score. It doesn’t matter how many times I hear it, the music that accompanies Howl and Sophie’s first meeting walking through the sky will always be etched in my memory, and few other cinematic moments compare.

There is a deeper message in the story of Howl’s moving castle

While Sophie and Howl’s romance is key, it’s not all Miyazaki touching on

Centering an older female protagonist, even if she only spends part of the film in old age, was not something that movies were doing back then and is still an underutilized aspect of cinema. However, Sophie’s sudden aging gives her a freedom and strength she never had in her youth. In addition, the political and anti-war sentiments in Will are anything but subtle, and it’s consistently impressive how Miyazaki addresses these issues head-on. It’s no secret that Miyazaki uses his films to spread messages of pacifism and the dangers of misused technology, And Will is no exception.

World conflicts may change, but Miyazaki’s work is still relevant regardless of when it is viewed. This is especially true for WillWhich could be criticized for not taking a more complex stance on war, but I don’t think that’s the point. Every moment of the film is incredibly sympathetic to the people caught in the conflict And chooses to make the people who experience the devastation of war more nuanced than the details of the politics involved. By placing the letters in the foreground, Will Can translate to any time and any conflict, preserving its universal message.

Some of the best quotes in Howl’s Moving Castle are about like The other characters sacrifice their humanity to the cause of war but will have nothing left of themselves Until the battle is over. Although Sophie is the protagonist, Howl is much more than the heart-stealing young man he was. He is the first hand example of a character so afraid of being forced to be used as a weapon that he would hide his own heart and go on the run. Even the Witch of the Waste becomes sympathetic by the film’s conclusion.

The timeless nature of the story makes it worth revisiting Howl’s moving castle today

Watching Howl’s moving castle in another 20 years will be just as impactful

Miyazaki’s films often end on a bittersweet note, however Will isn’t afraid to deliver an unabashedly happy ending. It is a fantasy and gives us a taste of escapism while pushing them to acknowledge that there are dark parts of the world that cannot be hidden in a magical castle. for many, Will Reminiscent of childhood, but this is not to say that the story does not challenge us. Balancing safety with active discussion and interrogation of contemporary culture is not something that most movies achieve.

Howl’s Moving Castle Will probably always be one of my, for lack of a better term, comfort movies. It’s as welcoming and warm now as it was the first time I saw it, and it’s not just because of the nostalgia. There’s a part of everyone in Sophie, Howl and every character in the film, and there’s a lesson about compassion that no one is ever too old to revisit in this story. I expect to return to this movie many times before another twenty years pass, and each time, it will be just as meaningful.

Howl’s Moving Castle Will be re-released in theaters October 1-3 for its 20th anniversary.