One cannot deny the power and artistry of Hayao Miyazaki, whose significant body of traditionally-drawn animated feature films are second to none because the level of his craft, his witty attention to detail, and his unique style of storytelling. Based in part on the accolades, including an Oscar win, garnered by Spirited Away, a broader western audience is beginning to take note of what a few have known all along: Miyazaki and the folks at Studio Ghibli can give the likes of Disney and Pixar a run for their money.
Also nominated for a 2005 Oscar, Howl’s Moving Castle has attracted some weighty voice talent for its English language version, including Christian Bale, Emily Mortimer, Lauren Bacall, and Billy Crystal. I’m generally a foreign language film snob and insist on watching a film with its original language with subtitles. (Some English-dubbed versions of great films make them absolutely unwatchable.) Having said that, there is something about animation that lends itself to alternate language versions, especially if the translation and dubbing are done well. After all, an animated movie is always dubbed, even in its original language.
The story here involves witches and wizards with a backdrop of a Victorian era warfare. Although the title refers to the legged, anthropomorphic castle inhabited by the young wizard Howl, the story is that of Sophie, who comes under a spell that requires some serious self-reflection. As expected, there is both a story that kids can follow as well as many layers of subtext and metaphor. Miyazaki is a master of detail. For instance, look for a moment when the transformed Sophie, after struggling to the top of the imperial staircase, releases the dog she’s been carrying. While certainly as beautiful as Spirited Away, the ending seems contrived and lends a disappointing aftertaste to an otherwise succulent visual and narrative feast.
Here are this morning’s Oscar-nominated films, alphabetically. The nominees for foreign language film and documentary feature are compiled at the end of the list. (Short format nominees are listed in a 
1 response so far ↓
1 Henrietta Wu // Apr 17, 2006 at 5:57 am
Look for the moment when Howl is depressed over his changed hair colour, I’d say – the finest study of male vanity in cinema if there ever was one.
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