Howl's Moving Castle (2004) Review

 

This is one of those films that is larger than its settings, than its set pieces and than its story. This is one of those films that resides in your heart. Both caressing you and frightening you. Holding your hand in the dark and then shoving you into it. This is a story about love and war and this is a story about how treacherous both can be.

In typical Ghibli style the animation is flawless. It is perfection at its finest. The colors are bright and vibrant. The characters oozing personality. Not just the main cast but all of them. The monsters breathed life just like the flowers and all were just as interesting to look at.

The writing was fantastic as well and the characters were deeper with more personality than you would have expected. They were three dimensional and complex. You never really knew how they would react to situations. Sophia, the shy girl with little to no self esteem often surprised me with her actions. Over the course of the film the characters changed. Each one becoming more than they were in the beginning.  

The story, too, was just as beautiful as its animation. The love between Howl and Sophia breathed life into it and into your heart. You didn’t really know what was going to happen next but you knew they would be a constant. Always together no matter what happened.

This is one of those films that really moved you and in many ways it may have changed you, too. It shows the horrors of war and selfishness, How what the human heart wants isn’t always what it needs. And it tells a story of love and what it takes to have courage. In short, this film is a masterpiece and one that everyone needs to see.

10 out of 10

Princess Mononoke (1997) Review

 

Princess Mononoke is a film that stands above the average film in its genre. Telling an epic tale of Gods and Demons. What mankind will do to the earth out of greed and how they will fight anything that gets in their way. The characters were heartwarming and three dimensional. Full of heart and drive. Their personalities different than they initially appear. Each one grew and became better versions of themselves. Closer friends and bridging the gap between enemies. The musical score was fantastic but that is to be expected with a Studio Ghibli film. The writing was full of warmth and character. Everything seemed alive. From humans and animals to the Gods and Demons. Even the plants themselves brought life to this film. The movie, however, is a long one. And, in all honesty about half way through it I wanted it to end. However, having stuck to the ending all I can say is that I am so glad I stayed. The ending fit the story like a glove and brough much closure to the story. Yes the film is a long one but the wait is totally worth it.

9 Out of 10

Porco Rosso (1992) Review

 Porco Rosso is one of those films that are hard to find faults in. Just about most of it was flawless, telling a story about love and war. The consequences of being a coward and how it can change you and those around you. The characters were lively and fit their personalities perfectly. From the arrogance of the pilots and the hatred that was thrown Porco Rosso’s to the love he felt for his Gina. Porco Rosso’s role was surprisingly human. Here, though, is one of the few faults in the film, and it’s not even a major one, either. The voice of Porco Rosso wasn’t done with the level of care as you would expect. It was good, and Michael Keaton did an amazing job with it, it just felt like his heart wasn’t really in it. However, at the same time Michael Keaton's voice did happen to fit his character of Porco Rosso. It just took a few minutes to accept that and I feel like Michael Keaton could have just put in a little more effort. In short, even though it fit the character it seemed a little lazy.

The art style was of your typical Ghibli tone. If you’ve seen one you’ve seen them all but that isn’t a bad thing. The colors are bright and amazing. They lept out of the TV and straight into your eyes and soul. I still see them when I close my eyes and it’s rather peaceful. The music, too, was delightfully charming. One of Ghibli’s strengths is their sound and music and that is one thing that will never go out of style.

All-in-all this was a masterpiece. Hitting all the right notes that told a story not just to you on the surface but who you are deep inside.

9 out of 10

Castle in the Sky (1986) Review

 

Castle in the Sky really has a lot to say. From its message of greed of wealth and power to its themes of loyalty and love. How two people, when brought together can form a friendship that can fight off corruption and lust for control. It shows how people aren’t always how they appear and that deep inside of us all is someone we may not recognize.

The writing of this film, however, was rather hit or miss. It was more direct and lacked subtlety. The dialogue  was more straightforward, telling you the story rather than showing you or letting you figure it out for yourself. Yes it did guide you through it but at times the hand holding was too firm and I think the film would have been more enjoyable if we were able to discern for ourselves what was going on.

The art direction was amazing, though. From the bright colors to the dark skies. From the explosions to the more subtle aspects. All of it was a pure joy to view. The sound, too, was fantastic! Studio Ghibli is known for the music and this film truly embraced it.

The characters were enjoyable as well. From Dola the pirate captain to Patzu and Sheeta. They were all more than they appeared on the surface and truly played off their personalities with each other. Every one of them was great because of the characters around them. None of them were a lone wolf and without their companions they wouldn't be who or what they became.

This film tells a story of what friendship can overcome. How bravery can save the world and how greed can destroy it. It shows how our world needs more love in it and without that who knows what might become of us.

8 out of 10

From Up on Poppy Hill (2011) Review

 

This film tells a story of both friendship and loss. Umi lost her father in the Korean War, his ship having struck a mine. As such she raises the signal flags every morning hoping that in some way she could guide her father home. She looks out at the sea from her garden, longing to once again see her fathers ship. Her flags, though, did not go unseen as she would soon learn. Umi befriends a classmate of hers named Shun. As they grew closer to each other their friendship slowly became more than that. However, a discovery that would soon come to light would complicate matters.

This film is nothing short of a masterpiece. This film having been done by Studio Ghibli is a rather obvious statement. The art style is what you would expect. Bright and colorful it almost absorbs into you. As you take in the pictures and consume their sounds you feel as though you are actually there. The music fit the scenes perfectly, they played on your heart strings and really made you care about the characters and their lives. 

The characters, too, were deep. They didn’t fall into those cliche, stereotypical tropes. They were unique and relatable. They actually felt like real people. The writing was also phenomenal. The dialogue fit the scenes like a glove. Each one unique to their respective characters. Their voices, too, fit their characters perfectly.

The story was not sad but rather emotional. Their friendship was something that you actually cared about. You wanted to see how their friendship grew and how it would evolve. What was going to become of them. It had a happy ending and this was one of the few films where I actually cared about what happened to the characters after it ended.

This is a movie that everyone should watch. It is a work of art and one that would really tug on your heart stings. Not too many films can say that.

10 out of 10