Among the most awarded and beloved movies produced by Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli, Howl’s Moving Castle is a meaningful lesson many can relate to. Aside from the quality visual effects, great portrayal of the main character, and excellent storytelling, Miyazaki redirects the plot into the universal message. The movie is undeniably relevant to the present age.
Additionally, the film was featured in Venice International Film Festival last 2004 and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature at the 78th Academy Awards. It also won several other awards, such as Tokyo Anime Awards and a Nebula Award. Truly a gem and another major masterpiece of Miyazaki.
Miyazaki’s inspiration for the film
Howl’s Moving Castle gained a lot of criticism, most of the reviews being “anti-war,” which gained attention because of the conflict in the historical bombing during World War II. The movie was the adaptation of Diana Wynne Jones’s novel Howl’s Moving Castle in 1986. Miyazaki manages to keep the character as the novel is, but includes his touch on the film’s plot.
You’ll see a strong belief in pacifism illustrated in the film, which was predicted to be against the U.S. political views and the U.S. war against Iraq in 2003. He expected the film to be a flop and unaccepted by most American viewers, but it was the opposite. Howl’s Moving Castle was praised in many aspects of the movie.
Miyazaki has a lot more to offer in this movie, not just his signature touch, but a great lesson worth timelessly. He wants to showcase the vanishing nature of humanity. Also, he features modernization and environmentalism.
The plot twist that captured the viewers’ attention
Storytelling is what makes a movie intriguing to the viewer. The turning of events gradually reveals how the main characters, Sophie and Howl, conquer the battle of a great war, love, and inner conflicts, giving the viewer valuable insights.
Besides, the story slowly unfolds as Sophie encounters a curse and brings her to Howl’s Moving Castle. She was cursed to be an older woman and later changed her stance about life. This weakens the curse and brings her back to her present age. On the other hand, Howl struggles in many life events, as problems make him mature enough to overcome war and his love for Sophie.
While the other characters in the film progressed and transformed from being villains to being good, generally, those events give prominent spice, making this film a one-of-a-kind. Likewise, spoilers are not enough, and it is better to watch it yourself.
The life lessons of Howl’s Moving Castle
Many reviews claimed that Howl’s Moving Castle was themed to the solid anti-war message of Miyazaki; nevertheless, you’ll find some lessons portrayed in different scenes if you’ve watched it closely. Here are some of the highlight lessons from the movie.
1. Love can change a person
By watching Howl’s Moving Castle, you’ll notice how each character undergoes changes personally and finally grows out of old self-habits and beliefs. When you learn to love, you’ll build care, strength, and patience, like how the main characters, Sophie and Howl, evolve. Even the villain in the movie transformed when they experienced being loved.
2. You can’t change what’s far away from you
Howl’s Moving Castle’s ending shows how Sophie resolves the conflict against the old witch. Instead of fueling the fire to ask the villain to give her the heart of Howl, she did it unusually. She hugs the witch and prays for understanding. In reality, you need to understand the other person’s feelings and point of view; from there, the wall between will tumble down.
3. Appearances don’t matter; what’s inside does
As the movie runs, you’ll see how exterior appearances are used to compel great messages. The curse given to Sophie, the raven look of Howl, and the deceiving feature of Suliman are some of the proof that what is inside matters. An outside look can be as deceiving as possible, but trusting your guts to whom or what a person is inside will make the difference.
4. War never makes any sense
Since the Iraq war also influenced the movie, Miyazaki depicts the value of understanding war. The film illustrates how destructive war is; everyone can be destroyed without escape. But the real meaning of war is the conflict that was not adequately addressed. There will always be an excellent way to handle disputes and eradicate their causes.
5. All roads lead to elderhood
The Witch of the Waste character is a good example that everyone can lead to elderhood. Though her eagerness to be noticed by Madame Suliman led her to wickedness and selfishness, the natural way of love without any spell truly transformed that woman. Sophie nursing her in her old age was a sense of having a family to her.
Everyone will get to the point of getting old, and you’ll need to realize that time is limited. Like the Witch of the Waste, do not fill your heart with baggage like jealousy, anger, and lack of self-confidence. Instead, fill it with love.
A must-watch for people of all ages
With deeper appreciation, the movie is excellent, and fun to watch Howl’s Moving Castle, considering it is one of Miyazaki’s greatest films. He never fails to deliver an astounding film that resonates with the current issues of all ages. There are a lot of problems hiddenly addressed in the movie, which are a must-discover and will surely touch your heart.
Additionally, the production ensured that the quality of visual presentation and profound effect in every turning of events would leave a great impression on professional movie critics. Overall, this movie deserves to be on your list. A must-watch film that has a light theme, but will have a significant impact.
