Howl's Moving Castle

Howl, similar to Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke, presents a darker story with very detailed, intense imagery. I enjoyed its look into what makes someone who they really are and the differences between appearance and reality. Mirroring the changing door of the castle was Howl's shifting looks and temperaments. Also changing was Sophie's appearance in age. When connected to Howl and experiencing life with him, she appears to regain her youth yet when she doubts herself or is left with fear she reverts to her old age. The character of Calcifer was interesting to me. He is good and bad at the same time, is thepartial cause of Howl's "curse", yet we place no blame on him or on Howl. Most characters in the film seem to exhibit both good and bad behaviors...even Sophie lets her emotions get the best of her and makes mistakes. I also thought it was interesting that once the witch of the waste's real age is revealed, she ironically takes on a childlike persona.