Howl's Moving Castle

Went to see Hayao Miyazaki's latest animated tale, Howl's Moving Castle, last night and really enjoyed it.

It's based on a book by Diana Wynne Jones and follows the story of young Sophie who works in a hat shop and seems fated to remain there forever, being the older plainer sister. However, after a chance meeting with the wizard Howl, she is cursed by the Witch of the Waste who turns her into an old woman. With nothing to lose she sets off in search of the strange moving castle inhabited by Howl, who is said by all to eat the hearts of pretty young girls, and seek his help but Howl is also cursed and he in turn needs her help.

The background artwork is superb and, as expected, Miyazaki's screenplay and direction are excellent. If you're a Miyazaki fan (Spirited Away, Castle In The Sky, Kiki's Delivery Service, Princess Mononoke), then you'll love this one. Definately one for the DVD collection when it hits the stores.

Genre: Adventure, Animation, Fantasy, Romance, Science Fiction.
My Rating: 9/10