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Satsuki

Okay, I just saw Howl's Moving Castle (saw Batman Begins too and made a whole Christian Bale weekend out of it ) and LOVED IT.

As to be expected of Miyazaki, the film was visually stunning. Just swept me away into the dream world, and I loved every minute of it. I also liked the dub, and kudos for getting some British and aged actors. I loved Lauren Bacall as the Witch of the Waste. And for Miyazaki's first real "romance" I really liked the dynamic between Howl and Sophie. And woot for the first kissing scene in a Miyzaki film, EVER! (at least, I think that's true . . . . )

Now, the bad points. I don't think this is his best movie. I think the plot was either too jumpy, or maybe it was just lacking something that the greats Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away had. I wasn't completely FLOORED like I was with those movies. Nonetheless, even Miyazaki's "not-best" movies are heads and tails above the rest of the crap in the theaters lately. If I hadn't seen the superb Batman Begins right before this, I would have said that this is the best movie I've seen in a LONG time.

One last note: My jaw dropped when I was watching the credits and saw Crispin Freeman listed as the voice of the Turnip scarecrow. Or at least, I believe that was who he was listed under. Still, you normally don't see the usual english anime voice actors in Miyazaki dubs. Freeman must be dancing with joy for landing a part in this. Even if it only was about six lines or so . . . . .

Senshi Mizaka

I haven't seen it yet, but I heard that Howl's Moving Castle was awesome. Normally, I wait to see Miyazaki's films when they come to DVD. Can it possilbly compare to Spirited Away? If it is, then wow; it must be worth seeing.

taboo

I plan on seeing it, even if I have to go by myself! >=O I love Miyazaki's films. points to avy

The lack of 2d animated films is driving me crazy.

oceanizer

I watched first part and lost interest. Maybe I'll give it a second chance and I'll change my mind. ~.~

Senshi Mizaka

I was thinking of downloading it using bittorrent, but I can wait for it to come to DVD. I'm kind of glad that Disney dubbed it, since they got such good voice actors. I was dissapointed at first when they started dubbing Spirited Away, though.

Captain Panda

Went and saw it yesterday…I really can't say I was incredibly impressed. Now, on the one hand, I'm not really all that big a Miyazaki fan (his movies aren't bad, but most of them really aren't among my favorites either), but this seemed below his average.

The plot was choppy, all over the place, and generally hard to follow; I'm told by the friends who saw it with me, and who had read the book, that the movie glosses over or completely leaves out a lot of the story, but I could more or less tell that just by watching the movie. I was disappointed a bit because with as much trouble as I had following the plot, I imagine a younger audience would have even more trouble, which is a shame, since outside of the confusing story, it would have been a very kid-friendly, all-audiences kind of movie. The voices as well, in my mind, weren't really up to the usual high standards that Disney's made common in their other Ghibli releases...though the Crispin Freeman fan in me liked hearing him in a semi-important part.

All that said, for folks who are Miyazaki fans...they'll still enjoy this. Other people might not have much fun. There are certainly better ways to spend two hours.

My friends say it's good, but I don't like Miyazaki's stuff, so I'm hesitant…

I might go see it, though, since he didn't come up with the story.

oceanizer

For whoever wants to see it:
http://raws.kefi.org/avi

I don't know what smi files are (I'm media dumb), but well, probably you know what they are. Please don't give out the links. It's your priviledge to download as an AP member ^^

I'll take it down after one week or so.

I have 60G more bandwidth to burn for 3 more days >.>

Mennen728

the good thing is that i can go see it becase it is playing at a theatre near me…the bad thing is that i dont have money.

I love Hayao miyazaki's works!!! Chihiro is my Best!!!
I bought the Spirited away because the story is so beautiful and magic!!!

I can't wait to see this new movie!!!
Of course and i'll watch it in Japanese language because it's the original version and if i saw this traslated then the movie will loose all the magic!!!

Except this the Japanese seiyuu of the Howl is Takuya Kimura one of the Best singer of japanese band "SMAP"!!! his voice is awesome and definately i want to hear him in this Fantastic with no doubt movie!!!

Howl's moving castle sounds so beautiful!!! Miyazaki's movies always have something special and all these colours, the awesome music, the kind/evil characters and always the magic/gorgeous young prince/god boy/man anyway are so good!!!