ANOTHER GREAT FILM TO SEE

I am becoming a huge fan of Japanese films. There have been great movies coming out of this country for some time, but it's only within the last few years that they have found a wider audience thanks in part to the growing independent film scene. Case in point: Studio Ghibli and the wonderful works of Hayao Miyazaki. If you don't know, he is the talent behind such film's as Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, and his newest masterpiece, Howl's Moving Castle. I was so excited to be able to experience Howl on the big screen since I have only seen the others on dvd. All of these films are more than just animated features, they are works of art. They combine beautiful images with wonderful stories.

Princess Mononoke tells the story of Ashitaka, the prince of a small village, who is cursed and journeys to the east to seek a cure. He becomes involved in a battle between the animals of the forest and a nearby mining town. This film addresses the question of whether man and nature can co-exist. It is a remarkable movie pairing fairy tale with a relevant storyline.

One of my favorite movies, Spirited Away, is the story of a young girl who must find her courage to save her parents. It is an inspiring tale aimed at children, but just as entertaining for adults. The one aspect of both of these films that I love is their insight into Japanese culture. They both express the importance of spirit gods and the belief that they exist everywhere in nature.

Howl's Moving Castle is different in that it takes place in a fantasy world. It tells the story of Sophie, a young woman who is cursed by the Witch of the Waste and turned into an old woman. She seeks refuge in Howl's Castle. Howl is a wizard who is feared by the villagers because they believe he lures beautiful young women to his castle and then steals their hearts. Sophie quickly befriends Markl, a young apprentice wizard, and Calcifer, the fire demon who powers the castle. She soon realizes that Howl is not as evil as people believe. The movie is a love story that carries an anti-war theme.

All of these films are splendid fairy tales, but what I truly love about them is the incredible animation. Miyazaki shows the beauty in simple things like clouds floating through the sky or the wind blowing through a field. I don't think I can ever get tired of watching his artistry.

What is most impressive is his resolve to hold onto traditional animation. His films are hand-drawn, not computer-generated. Although I do enjoy movies like Shrek and Toy Story, it is a pleasure to see such incredible images created traditionally. I anxiously await his next film.