Extraordinarily inventive, but not viscerally engaging

Rating: 8/10 (28 February 2006)

Possibly the most theme-driven of Miyazaki's fantasies. The director has almost totally forsaken plot in favor of visually transporting flights of the imagination. The big visual set pieces are presented quite matter-of-factly (Sofi's first encounter with the moving castle, for example) and the build to the climax is strangely casual. Still, the film, like all of Miyazaki's work, is extraordinarily inventive and revisits familiar themes and motifs. The character mix has close parallels with "Spirited Away", just as the dark, oily forces of evil resemble army's of the former film's 'No Face' character. The Joe Hisaishi music is strong but not amazing, and both the Japanese and American voice actors acquit themselves well. The film is not engaging on a visceral level, but it is filled with enormous warmth and rich humanity. And, for me, the most wonderful character who truly personifies the Miyazaki world is the bouncing scarecrow.