Since it’s finally spring, I wanted to pick a movie that feels like a fresh start– something a little weird, a little warm and very full of life. Hayao Miyazaki’s “Howl’s Moving Castle” ended up being the perfect choice. Something about it fits the season, with its open skies, bright colorful fields of flowers and the general hope that anything can change at any moment.
The animation alone is reason enough to give this movie a watch if you haven’t already. The way the castle lurches and creaks across the hills, patched together from different scraps of metal and magic, makes it feel like a character in and of itself. I love how every shot is packed with even the most minuscule details–flowers growing between cracks in the pavement, laundry flapping on a tiny balcony bolted to the side of the castle, raindrops running down window panes. Even the way Sophie’s hat shop is drawn, with the soft pastel color palette and cluttered shelves, makes it feel real and lived-in.
The story follows Sophie, who gets cursed by the Witch of the Waste and turns into an old woman overnight. Instead of giving up, she sets off into the countryside and finds Howl’s castle. What I liked most is how quietly Sophie’s character grows. Even though her body is aged, she becomes braver and more stubborn. There’s this one scene where she bullies Calcifer, the fire demon, into letting her stay–and it’s hilarious because even though she looks like a frail grandma, she’s bossing around this ancient magical being like it’s nothing.
Speaking of Calcifer, Billy Crystal nails the voice in the English voiceover. He’s funny without being annoying, and there’s a real edge to him, too. Christian Bale’s Howl is dramatic in the best way–the infamous hair dye meltdown scene is just as funny now as it was the first time I saw it. But underneath all of that near-comedic drama, a deep sadness rests just underneath the surface. Howl’s avoidance of conflict, his constant shapeshifting, and the way he keeps giving pieces of his heart away (literally and figuratively) make him feel way more complicated than the typical charming wizard character.
The movie also doesn’t shy away from showing how ugly and pointless war is. In true Miyazaki fashion, he delivers a poignant real-world message that lurks behind the romantic subplots. The flying battleships and burning cities look beautiful at first until you realize how much damage they’re causing. The shot with Sophie standing in the wreckage of a town square sticks with you because it’s so quiet and so sad.
The music by Joe Hisaishi ties it all together. “Merry-Go-Round of Life” plays during key moments, and it never feels repetitive–it just makes everything feel bigger and a little bittersweet, like you’re watching something important even if you can’t put it into words.
I’m glad I chose “Howl’s Moving Castle” to kick off spring. It’s not about perfect beginnings–it’s about messy, unpredictable change and the beauty it can bring. What better way is there to sum up springtime?
