801 T.T.S. Airbats Anime Review

801 T.T.S. Airbats
ADV Films
Complete Collection - 2 discs
175 mins. - 7 episodes
$34.98 (2002)
ISBN 702727026621
Japanese/English Audio - English Subtitles
Director - Yuji Moriyama
Studio - Studio Fantasia

Synopsis: Fighter technician Takuya Isurugi is transferred to the 801st Tactical Training Squadron.  The 801st is an all-female aerial acrobatics unit (like the Blue Angels) and a dumping ground for rejects.  Isurugi quickly gets on the ladies' bad sides by accidentally walking in on them changing while the group's mascot (a bat) is conveniently dive-bombing him.

Isurugi accidentally walks in on Haneda changing

He meets his new flight crew and learns their idiosyncrasies, and they learn his.  Somehow he manages to become the love interest between the two incredibly beautiful fighter pilots of the 801st - Miyuki Haneda and Arisa Mitaka.  The two ladies battle it out in the skies and on the ground for Isurugi's affections.

Isurugi's positive attitude bombards Mitaka

Each of the 801st group has an interesting personality and they must come together as a tight-knit unit in order to remain in existence!  Constant threats of disbanding the group are made by the Self Defense Force higher ups.  Haneda and Mitaka must put aside their rivalry in order to save the team.  A visit by an American aerial acrobatics team puts them in another tailspin, almost as much as an eating contest at the local ramen house.

Isurugi works on a plane while Haneda talks to him

Get to know your 801st T.T.S. Airbats team:

• Takuya Isurugi - airplane mechanic, closet otaku with an extensive collection of anime figures, positive attitude and supportive of his teammates
• Miyuki Haneda - one of the two top fighter pilots of the 801st, positive attitude, very self-conscious and shy at times, Isurugi's kind demeanor and personality won her over and she is hopelessly in love with him
• Arisa Mitaka - the other of the top two fighter pilots of the 801st, bad ass piloting skillz, branded a major trouble-maker, despite her best efforts to dislike Isurugi she ends up a falling for him just as hard as Haneda
• Mitsuru Konishi - always wears sunglasses, he's a man's man and constantly working out, hardcore food eating contestant, secretly in love with Sakura
• Sakura Saginomiya - compulsive gambler - particularly horse races, loves her dog Patriot, she makes me nervous
• Yoko Shimorenjaku - has pink hair and a pet bat (Chi-Chan), is not a very good drunk, constantly eats junk food and snacks
• Kouji Kengamine - officer in charge of the 801st who really wants the team disbanded so he can command a combat unit, went to training school with Konishi, a total suck up to superiors and only interested in getting promoted away from the 801st

The 801st crew - Chi-Chan the bat, Yoko eats sushi, Sakura sings karaoke,
Konishi screams, Kouji attempts to flee, Mitaka and Haneda drink too
much and fondle Isurugi!

Pros: Decent animation (it's an OVA), amusing comedy moments, a bunch of fan-service (particularly in the hot springs episode with a little nudity thrown in), couple extras, good supporting cast outside of the three main characters

Haneda and Mitaka perform aerial maneuvers

Cons: No clue why Haneda and Mitaka are so hung up on Isurugi - he's a total dork, no conclusion to the series - just another episode, bland opening/ending themes, the team goes head-to-head with an obnoxious American aerial acrobatics team -

The 801st crew cries bloody murder at a haunted hot spring!

Mike Tells It Straight: This is not a harem anime - it's a love triangle comedy show.  The animation is well done and the plot is pretty standard - lots of slapstick comedy and convenient misunderstandings.  We get the typical hot springs episode with a little nudity from the female cast members (mostly Mitaka) while the guys are all closet perverts.  Amusing stuff and completely formulaic.

Mitaka has a wardrobe malfunction at the hot springs!

Isurugi is a nerdy otaku who 'just happens' to have two beautiful fighter pilots swooning over him constantly. WTF!  I found it interesting the short OVA series wasn't structured to have a conclusion and instead played like a much longer episodic series.  Overall a cute little comedy show with airplanes.   


TO BUY and Recommendations:

The Sky Crawlers Anime Movie Review

The Sky Crawlers
Sony Pictures
Movie - 121 mins. - 1 disc
$34.95 (2009) Blu-Ray
$27.96 (2009)
ISBN 043396307520
Japanese/English Audio
English/French/Spanish Subtitles
Director - Mamoru Oshii
Studio - Production I.G

Synopsis: Yuichi Kannami is a fighter pilot reassigned to the base at Area 262 as a replacement for another pilot who died recently.  The plane he is assigned belonged to the deceased pilot, but its in perfect condition. Being curious as to what happened to the pilot he is replacing, Yuichi attempts to discover the pilot's cause of death from the base's commanding officer, Suito Kusanagi.  She appears to be a young woman and coldly brushes off his questions.

Yuichi Kannami arrives at Area 262

Three other pilots are stationed at the base - Aizu Yudagawa, Yuriyuki Shinota, and Naofumi Tokino.  Yuichi attempts to fit in, but only manages to befriend the reckless Naofumi.  The two bond during a trip to the nearby whorehouse where one of the escorts reveals her past relationship with the man Yuichi replaced, Jinro Kuita.  

Suito Kusanagi and Yuichi Kannami

Amidst the endless sorties and downtime ennui, Yuichi grapples with a disturbing mystery as puzzle pieces slowly reveal themselves in a greater picture.  He is one of the Kildren, a group of people who never age and can only die by being killed.  It appears they are exclusively fighter pilots in a neverending aerial war fought by rival corporations.  The young CO, Suito, is also a pilot and Kildren, but she has lived long enough to begin questioning the order of things.  A young girl visits the base - is it Suito's daughter?  Who could the father be?  Why is Yuichi irresistibly drawn to Suito despite her cold demeanor?

Yuichi and Naofumi pilot two push-prop planes on a sortie

The greatest mystery is what happened to Yuichi's predecessor, but will learning the cause of his death result in Yuichi's similar demise?  Something is not right in the war and on the base.  What is the origin of the Kildren and how does their existence fit into the larger whole of society?  The other side's ace pilot, "The Teacher", appears in the combat theater - will Yuichi and the pilots of Area 262 survive long enough to discover the cause for their predetermined existences? 

Yuichi learns about Jinro from a prostitute

Pros: Excellent computer graphics melded with seemingly hand-drawn animation, good soundtrack, suitably vague characterizations, captivating mystery by end of film, lots of extras, hardcore final dogfight, has received a lot of critical praise (won awards at the Venice and Sitges film festivals), the 'ah-ha!' moment when I was reminded of George Orwell's book 1984

Yuichi and crew participate in a massive aerial battle

Cons: Agonizingly slow-paced at times, characters (particularly Yuichi and Suito) have zero personalities, final scene with "The Teacher" was unsatisfying (guess that was the point), Kildren are not really explained until much later in the film, character facial designs are somewhat generic/simple

Yuichi and Suito have dinner and talk about existentialism

Mike Tells It Straight: Based on the first book in the novel series by Hiroshi Mori.  The pace of this film is incredibly slow, but it really works to build up the mystery of the Kildren and Yuichi's personal dilemma.  I liked the synergy between the computer graphics and traditional character animation - the two didn't noticeably clash.  The planes and dogfights were highly detailed CGI (completely obvious and unnatural), and while not perfect by any means they were much better than a score of other anime which attempt to do the same.

Naofumi and Yuichi make plans to hit the town before the big battle

By the end of the movie the great mystery is revealed and it all makes sense - the slow pace, Yuichi's bland personality, and a score of subtle atmospheric hints.  Watching the film I had a great 'ah-ha!' moment when I realized the connection between George Orwell's book 1984 about a totalitarian society where independent thought is a crime, information is suppressed by an all-powerful government (to the extent even history is rewritten constantly to suit the current party objectives), and nations are perpetually at war causing all sorts of food rationing/resource shortages.  Loved that book!

This image (w/fish-eye lens) pretty much sums up the whole film

If you have the patience and are looking for a vague, psychological mystery then The Sky Crawlers is your anime film.  Overall, I enjoyed it quite a bit, but was scratching my head half the time and have to admit it took me three sittings to finish watching it.  

TO BUY and Recommendations:

Shuten Doji Anime Review

Shuten Doji
ADV Films
Complete Collection - 2 discs
200 mins. - 4 episodes
$26.98 (2009) w/Mazinkaiser
$29.98 (2005) Vol. 1
$29.98 (2005) Vol. 2
ISBN 702727206221
Japanese/English Audio - English Subtitles
Director - Junji Nishimura/Jun Kawagoe/Masatomo Sudo
Studio - Nippon Columbia/Studio Signal

Synopsis: We start with a battle across time and space between several giant demons called Oni for the life of a baby.  The battle ends with the demon Senki giving the baby to a human couple and warning them he will return in 15 years to collect the boy.  Fast forward 15 years to Jiro Shutendo, high school student, whose parents are agonizing over the return of the demon to take away their cherished son.  Jiro is a regular young man with an intense aura.  His classmate Miyuki has a crush on him, but he warns her off due to his malevolent aura.

Senki protects a baby Jiro by carrying him around in his mouth

A secret society of demon worshipers is targeting Jiro and attacks those close to him.  Jiro is supposed to be the prophesied 'Shuten Doji' (pronounced sh-ten doji) which is a positive opposing force among the Oni.  Now he must harness the growing darkness within himself to protect those he loves.  Will his parents lose their adopted son to his demonic true nature?

Jiro's parents try to save him as the demonic forces descend

The battle will take him across space and time, but allies rise to aid his quest: a group of teens indoctrinated from birth to support the Shuten Doji, two powerful Oni named Goki and Senki, and a giant figure floating in the remote recesses of outer space.  What caused the Oni clan's destructive nature and can Jiro solve the mystery in time to save those most dear to him?

Jiro rushes to save a naked and vulnerable Miyuki

Pros: Giant demons ripping each other apart, Miyuki is naked...a lot, high death count of cool characters (i.e. unexpected), neat sci-fi segway in chapter 3 (really enjoyed Jiro in space and Iron Caesar)

Jiro gets examined in his Shuten Doji form

Cons: No extras, no opening or ending themes, plot is really convoluted, the ending explanation is confusing and mildly unsatisfying, old animation style (this came out in 1989-1991), Miyuki's character seems to only serve the purpose of having her clothes ripped off and being victimized by the bad guys

An Oni named Goki comes to Jiro's father's aid

Mike Tells It Straight: Go Nagai (creator of Mazinger Z, Mazinkaiser, Demon Lord Dante, Getter Robo, Devilman, Cutey Honey, Kekko Kamen and about a hundred other manga/anime) we meet again!  Another anime title based on his work with a heavy dose of violence and nudity.  Shuten Doji is dark, perverted, and filled with demons.  It's classic old skool anime from the late '80s/early '90s targeted at an immature audience.  

A spaceship in the far flung future encounters a massive body
floating in a remote region of space

Horror fans will likely enjoy this show, but it's pretty simple and doesn't offer any real complexity other than the lame reasoning for the Oni clan's violence (from the final episode).  I found it somewhat entertaining (what can I say - I'm a sucker for old skool!) and actually enjoyed the segway into outer space.  The authors are utterly merciless with the supporting character death count - this is good because it keeps you guessing/in suspense on who is going to die next!

Oh hey, it's Jiro!  He's been floating in space for awhile
and just forgot his normal proportions

Overall an old, mediocre anime with a bunch of monsters killing stuff for a ridiculous reason (as explained in the final episode).  Can't say there's much suspense or build up of emotion here aside from characters getting offed fairly regularly.  If you liked Demon Lord Dante then you will probably like this one - although Demon Lord Dante was better and that's kind of a bad sign!  Until we meet again, Go Nagai.


TO BUY and Recommendations: 

DubSub Contest Official Details

HEY ANIME FANS!!

DubSub is celebrating its first milestone - we're going to hit 100,000 pageviews in August 2012!

As a big thank you to our fans and casual viewers we're going to have a contest - like us on Facebook and/or join us on Google for a chance to win free anime dvds!

On August 31st we'll choose one person from our Facebook page as a winner, one person from our Google member list as a winner, and one person who is on both Facebook andGoogle as a winner.

The winners will get to choose from these recent anime review dvds:

Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki Complete

Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade

Kekko Kamen

Zaion: I Wish You Were Here

Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children

Mazinkaiser

Ellcia

Dante's Inferno

Le Portrait de Petite Cossette

Rune Soldier Complete

HOW DOES IT WORK?

For Facebook - click on the 'Like' button in the gadget on our sidebar and follow Facebook's instructions 

For Google - click on the 'Join this site' button in the gadget on our sidebar and follow Google's instructions for joining

The winners will get to choose one item from the above list of titles in this order: winner from both groups of Facebook and Google fans (i.e. someone who is part of both groups) will go first, winner from either Facebook or Google (whichever group has the most members) will go second, and final winner from remaining group will choose last.  

We will announce the winners on September 1st in the sidebar contest box!  

Good luck and thanks for helping us reach this great milestone!

Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children Anime Review

Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children
Sony Pictures
Movie - 2 discs
101 minutes
$26.96 (2006)
$49.95 (2007) Limited Edition
$38.96 (2009) Blu-Ray
ISBN 043396118966
Japanese/English Audio - English/ French/Spanish/Portuguese/Korean/
Thai/Mandarin/Cantonese Subtitles
Director - Tetsuya Nomura
Studio - Square Enix

Synopsis: It's been two years since Cloud Strife and his band of fighters were able to defeat Sephiroth and stop him from destroying all life on the planet by summoning a catastrophic meteor.  Sephiroth died in the battle and the group managed to cast the spell "Holy" to counteract "Meteor", but the spell was not strong enough to save the day.  The planet itself fought back by sending the Lifestream (the coexistent life energy of all beings on the planet) to halt "Meteor" and preserve itself.

Cloud visits his old Buster Sword and reminisces about the past

After the final confrontation the group has begun picking up the pieces of their lives.  Cloud lives with Tifa and they care for Barret's adopted daughter Marlene along with an orphan boy named Wenzel.  Tifa is broken-hearted because Cloud still holds a torch for the deceased Aerith (who died at the hands of Sephiroth before she could fully complete the spell "Holy").  Cloud runs a delivery service and the group still remains in touch.

Yazoo, Kadaj and Loz are searching for Jenova's remains

The Lifestream has been acting strangely and a debilitating disease has spread called Geostigma.  Despite many efforts it has no known cure and is currently ravaging the population.  En route to a meeting with the Turks (former elite soldiers from Shinra, the corrupt corporation which harnessed the Lifestream to establish a stranglehold on cheap energy supply), Cloud is attacked by three men bearing a striking resemblance to Sephiroth.  They are incredibly powerful and seeking their "mother" (presumably Jenova, the extraterrestrial lifeform used to genetically create Sephiroth).

Tifa fights Loz in an old abandoned church

Many think Geostigma is the planet's retribution against those who would exploit the Lifestream, but it's clear the three men plan to resurrect Sephiroth.  Cloud has become a loner, but the band has to get back together in order to save the human race.  We'll see all of our old favorites, but will their combined power be enough this time?  Will Geostigma consume the population just in time for Sephiroth's return?  What happened to all that Materia from the final battle?  Can Cloud find his true memories and move past the devastating loss in his life (Aerith)?

Cloud is ready for a final showdown

Pros: Stunning CG (computer-generated) visuals - literally everything has a lush texture, nostalgia overload at seeing all of the FFVII characters again, superb character redesigns, sequel to original FFVII game which was a critical (almost historical) success for video game console RPGs (role-playing games), eye-popping fight scenes, great musical score - especially the theme, nice love triangle resolution with Cloud/Aerith/Tifa, additional scenes in Blu-Ray edition + even better HD visuals, actual FFVII story scenes included to recap events of the game (for the most part), Sephiroth!

The gang's all here - Yuffie, Cid, Tifa, Vincent, and Barret

Cons: Plot is relatively simple yet horribly convoluted by bad writing/dialogue, the Turks get more screen-time than 90% of the group members, the three "Sephiroth" clones are really annoying, barely any emotional depth to the characters (yeah, they're CG, but c'mon!), CG is highly detailed yet surprisingly crude in terms of character movements and depicting emotions (facial expressions primarily, but also body language)

The three clones of Sephiroth summon Bahamut!

Mike Tells It Straight: I spent at least 100 hours playing Final Fantasy VII during college and was the first in my crowded apartment to actually finish the game.  It was a memorable experience back in late 1997 and FFVII will stand as one of my favorite video game experiences (in front of the original Final Fantasy and close behind the Tekken franchise - a tale for another review) while I still had time to play video games.  The characters were awesome, the story was interesting with a key death of a main character (Aerith), amazing CG cut story scenes, and the game-play was ground-breaking (Materia, Summoning, optional attributes, side games).  FFVII will always have a soft spot in my heart.

Red XIII - the Samuel L. Jackson of Final Fantasy VII

When Square Enix put out the first fully-rendered, CG Final Fantasy film (The Spirits Within) I was disappointed to see the plot was completely unrelated to any previous FF game.  It never resonated with me.  I guess they got the hint as Advent Children is a direct sequel to FFVII!  Score one for Square Enix.

Sephiroth!

It was great seeing all of the old characters stunningly redesigned with incredible detail and returning in an interesting story premise.  Cloud's motorbike and wide array of swords were better than anything I expected.  The fight scenes were fast and epic - timed perfectly with slow motion cuts amid lightning fast exchanges.  The music added audio texture to an already abundant visual palette.  The writers resolve the Cloud/Aerith/Tifa love triangle in a satisfactory way.

Does Aerith return from the dead!?

The story premise seems promising as it starts with a real crisis (Geostigma killing people), but it quickly falls apart as we jump from one action scene to the next.  Square's fully-rendered CG scenes were awe-inspiring back in 1997 and we all thought a full-length CG movie would be the best thing ever, but today we expect more from our CG.  Sadly, the character motions and 'acting' are horribly stiff and awkward in this film.

The haunted eyes of a former SOLDIER

If you loved FFVII back in the day or came to it later - Advent Children is a great experience.  Those with no prior contact to the original game are likely to be lost at the significance/backstory of most characters - you've got to have some familiarity with FFVII because this film is a sequel.  The slick visuals and exciting action scenes are impressive, but the story and CG character 'acting' are terrible.  After my awe at the rich CG wore off and I focused more on the story it was clear the plot sucked.  Definitely a visual feast and that fact alone makes this film worth checking out, but the poorly executed story really killed any urge for repeat viewings.

TO BUY and Recommendations:
 

Madara Anime Review

Madara
Anime Works
Complete Collection - 1 disc
110 mins. - 2 episodes
$29.95 (2003)
ISBN 631595031720
Japanese/English Audio - English Subtitles
Director - Yuji Moriyama
Studio - Bandai Visual

Synopsis: King Miroku is an evil despot with unparalleled power ruling over a humanity mired in a post-apocalyptic wasteland.  He holds captive a lovely princess who bears him twin sons.  One is stillborn and the other has incredible psychic potential to eventually overthrow his father.  Miroku doesn't hesitate and kills the living twin in order to harvest his chakra.

Fast forward fifteen years and we observe a pair of travelers journeying through the desert.  They come across a town untouched by the rough touch of the Mouki, Miroku's henchman, due to an ancient mystical ward surrounding the town.  The young Madara is apprentice to his Grandfather and both are wandering blacksmiths.  People use prosthetics called "gimmicks" in this land and blacksmiths are able to repair the complex cybernetic machinery components.

King Miroku rules with a pair of heavy metal dragon boots

Madara meets and becomes smitten with an attractive girl from the village named Kirin who is also an orphan.  It's revealed his entire body is a very powerful gimmick put together by his Grandfather.  The town's ward is mysteriously destroyed and a group of Mouki raid the village.  Madara must summon his courage and fend them off, but their leader is a diabolical magical creature which even a battle gimmick may not conquer.

Madara and Grandfather sense danger in the village

His battle gimmick awakened, Madara begins his quest to overthrow Miroku and reclaim his chakra.  Kirin accompanies him and they meet up with two rogue princes with considerable psychic abilities.  Madara and his allies must overcome a horde of deformed monsters on their way to an ultimate showdown with Miroku.  

A bunch of werewolves (the Mouki) attack the villagers

Secrets are revealed as Madara's brother may still be alive!?  A pair of ancient war machines lie in wait to be resurrected and put to use again.  Can Madara avenge himself and save this hopeless world?

Kirin does her best damsel-in-distress imitation

Pros: Lots of old skool anime action, Madara and Kirin are endearing/funny together, some good plot twists (like Madara's twin brother), very brief nudity, the princes Chaos and Seishinjya were good supporting characters

"Grandfather" perfects Madara's battle gimmick body

Cons: Slightly dated animation, plot is pretty standard/boring, some of the characters/visuals had potential yet never really went anywhere (like all those random creatures at Miroku's castle)

This freaky monster can only be stopped by Madara!

Mike Tells It Straight: Madara is another post-apocalyptic anime from the early '90s with both mediocre plot and animation.  It's sad, but I'm a sucker for these old shows and usually have to pick them up when I see them.  I was surprised Bandai Visual put this together since the character/monster designs were fairly lame.  Guess I can blame the original manga for that one.  Madara still had a few good moments - mostly Madara and Kirin getting to know each other along with some okay fight scenes.  

These two princes join forces with Madara and Kirin

The show doesn't explain anything about the world Madara lives in nor how things got so bad.  I liked the idea of gimmicks/prosthesis, but how the heck would people be able to use/create sophisticated bionics in what appears to be a medieval-type society?

Yeah, Madara can shoot his arms off like Mazinger Z

If you're looking for the standard spikey-haired anime protagonist and old skool action then check out Madara.  It's waiting for you in the dollar bin at Best Buy.  

TO BUY and Recommendations: 

Howl's Moving Castle Anime Movie Review

Howl's Moving Castle
Hauru no Ugoku Shiro
Buena Vista Home Entertainment (Disney)
Movie - 119 mins. - 2 discs
$29.99 (2006)
ISBN 786936296662
Japanese/English Audio - English Subtitles
Director - Hayao Miyazaki
Studio - Studio Ghibli

Synopsis: Sophie works in her mother's hat shop and is a responsible, level-headed young lady.  A war is brewing between her country and a neighboring state with soldiers being stationed in her town where several protests have been happening.  She is stopped on her way home by a pair of rude soldiers and deftly rescued from the situation by a dashing young man who appears to have magical powers.  He is being pursued by strange, globular phantoms, but manages to elude them and deliver Sophie to safety. 

Sophie encounters Howl and they fly above the rooftops
to evade his pursuers

He is the renowned sorcerer Howl who is wanted by the wicked Witch of the Waste.  Howl's home is an enchanted castle which walks about on two legs and is magically obscured from detection.  Back at the hat shop Sophie is visited by a rude old woman who inquires on Howl's whereabouts.  Sophie gives the old woman's attitude right back to her, but is shocked to discover the old woman is the fearsome Witch of the Waste.  The Witch curses Sophie by transforming her into an old woman! 

Sophie gets a rude visit from the nasty Witch of the Waste

Now Sophie is trapped in an aging body, unrecognizable to any of her loved ones, and unable to tell anyone of her condition.  She sets off on a journey to find a cure and manages to gain entrance to Howl's moving castle. The inhabitants of the castle are Markl, a young boy who is apprentice to Howl, and Calcifer, a fire demon under a spell to obey Howl and the power source for the moving castle.

Sophie discovers the result of the horrible curse the
Witch puts on her!

The door to Howl's castle is magic and opens upon several different physical locations - typically wizards' storefronts where Howl poses as other wizards plying their trade.  Howl is out while Sophie gains entrance to the castle and when he returns she quickly explains she is the new cleaning lady.  Howl accepts her and she starts cleaning the castle - which is a daunting mess as no one has cleaned it ever before!

Sophie sets out to find a cure for her curse and happens upon Howl's
 Moving Castle (doesn't look like any castle I've ever seen)

Each of Howl's wizard alter-egos is summoned by the king to participate in the war, but Howl is not interested.  He tries to avoid participating yet cannot when he learns other wizards are transforming into giant creatures and destroying towns.  Now he is being hunted by the Madam Suliman, the king's royal mage, along with the Witch of the Waste.  In order to protect himself and those he cares about he repeatedly transforms into a powerful, bird-like creature, but each transformation brings him closer to losing his humanity.  Can Sophie help protect Howl, break her own curse, and keep her wondrously strange new family together? 

We meet Calcifer, a fire demon who is cursed to
serve Howl as the power source for the castle

Pros: Beautiful animation - hand drawn figures in front of lush/complex backgrounds with unobtrusive computer-aided elements, typical Miyazaki themes - anti-war and discovering inner strength through external struggles, great voice-acting for young/old Sophie, ending neatly wraps up the plot threads, very nice musical score, nominated for Best Animated Feature at 2006 Academy Awards 

Sophie sets to work cleaning the filthy castle

Cons: Film plot and character portrayals are drastically different than the original novel by Diana Wynne Jones, dub actor choices were questionable for Calcifer (Billy Crystal - too silly) and Howl (Christian Bale - too gruff), plot jumps around quite a bit and the reason for the war wasn't readily apparent (maybe I'm just dense, but after like ten viewings I still don't know why the war is happening)

Howl transforms into a giant bird-like creature to try and
oppose the other wizards involved in the war

Mike Tells It Straight: Hayao Miyazaki followed up his critically-acclaimed film Spirited Away with this film based on the novel Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones.  His films are usually original creations written and directed by him (with the exception of Kiki's Delivery Service which was based on a short novel), but he was a great fan of the book and wanted to create a film from it. 

Sophie helps Howl to rest after a traumatizing experience

For those fans of the original novel this film is a big departure as it is not a direct representation of the book.  The Witch of the Waste was a beautiful ex-lover of Howl's and is instead an overweight aging madame.  Michael the teenage apprentice who was in love with Sophie's sister is instead Markl the young boy.  Howl was an irresponsible lothario and is instead a gruff anti-war hero. 

The castle and its inhabitants take a break from walking

Obviously Miyazaki used the book as a loose basis for the story he wanted to tell with the characters in order to reiterate recurring themes from past works - anti-war, a perpetual battle between technology and the natural (magical) world, and discovering inner strength through difficult trials.  Despite the change to the characters I think Miyazaki really made them stand for something. 

Heen, Markl and Turnip Head

Instead of a vapid womanizer we get a socially-conscious Howl willing to sacrifice his humanity in order to stop senseless violence.  Sophie discovers adventure and a chance at love after a debilitating curse alters her life.  I like the underlying theme of personal freedom portrayed in this film, particularly Howl's lifestyle and desire to stay unfettered of responsibilities.  His house is always on the move, he assumes false identities, and spreads unsavory rumors to keep himself at a comfortable distance from others.

Sophie holds a flaming heart in her hands

The spectacular visuals alone are worth viewing and the story is interesting if not a bit scattered.  Fans of Miyazaki and animation in general will really enjoy this film.  It's not the best Miyazaki has done, but in the upper strata for sure.  I would recommend seeing the film and then reading the book to minimize any potential disappointment with the film.  Absolutely see this and it actually improves a bit on repeat viewings.

TO BUY and Recommendations: