Howl's Moving Castle

Howl's Moving Castle is a wonderful animated adventure from the Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki, who brought us the Oscar-winning film, Spirited Away. This story is full of wizards, witches, magic and adventure. It is fantasy without the sugar-coating. This is a lovely visual, with a story of war and love, that keeps you on your toes. My favorite characters were Turniphead, who doesn't say a word, yet brings the most joy to the screen, and Calcifer, the fire, and the power of the castle. With the voice of Billy Crystal, Calcifer is funny, warm, strong and wise. The voice of Howl is played by Christian Bale as the vain, tortured wizard, warrior and lord of the castle. Some of the war scenes may be a little too intense for little ones, but Howl's is not as scary as Spirited Away.