The first third of this production is magical: captivating, breathtaking, imaginative, magical. A modest young woman is literally swept off her feet by a charming prince-like wizard. That sounds standard fairy tale fair, I know, but the way this production makes it happen is magical. Right up to and including a spell expected to knock the life out of the modest woman. I love the way that she adapts.

As the film lumbers on (pun intended: Howl's Moving Castle is made of wood -- among other things), however, the production becomes more and more about magic while slowly waning in the magical department. This wizard has stronger power than that wizard; this witch casts a stronger spell on that human than this spell. That stuff burdens what is otherwise a human tale of love, longing and identity.

Actually, as the film comes to its revealing close, and many questions are answered (too many), we're left with the feeling that the whole story was more or less an extended metaphor for how the human mind, will, and heart interact. I wouldn't mind screening the film with that knowledge; perhaps I'd appreciate more of it. But as it stands, an enchanting send-off slowly loses a bit of its luster, stays en route about 15 minutes too long, then wraps up too many mysteries in too short a time.

That said, some gorgeous imagery, charming to look at, and a cast of endearingly animated characters keeps the production enjoyable. If you like it... you should see Spirited Away.

(I screened the English dubbed version.)