Howl's Moving Castle

 So here we are, after taking care for Noshi who was sick for a week, followed by Thorin who then fell seriously ill for a week, it is my turn to probably spend a whole weekend in bed with a fever and a raw throat.

 

So okay then, let's watch anime and catch up on some Studio Ghibli movies that for some reason slipped through the maze's holes so far.

 

And let's start with the acclaimed anti-war epos, Howl's Moving Castle, which it's creator made out of protest to the american invasion of Iraq back in 2003.  Set in an alternative nation around the early 20th century, Sophie lives in a quiet nation that has come under the thread of war with a neighbouring nation.  When one night she meets the Witch of the Wastes, she is cursed to become an old woman and not tell anyone about it.  She sets out in the wild to find Howl, a famous wizard, and is taken aboard his moving castle by Calcifer, a fire demon, and his assitant Markl as a cleaning lady.

 

Meeting also a living scarecrow along the way she calls Turnip Head, she becomes a voice of reason and point of support for the inhabitants of the magical place, while trying to help Howl and his connection with Calcifer, while trying to stop the war.  When she learns of his past, she also learns how it is all connected and she can break both his and her curse as a result.  The war is ended due to the scarecrow turning out to be a missing prince of the other nation, and while a new conflict brews, Howl, Sophie and the others fly off towards better places.

 

Apart from it's obvious message, it also carries a sort of "reversed Beauty and the Beast" vibe with it, but with the same conclusion that love will bring rescue in the end for the two tragic lovers.  It is a great film, and to be honest, while I still think Totoro the best Ghibli film out there, it sure ranks highly in my favorites list.

 

So yes, go for some great family movie entertainment and watch this film, it's even on Netflix overhere.