This Los Angeles Times has a nice article today about the upcoming release (on Friday) of HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE, the newest animated film from Hayao Miyazaki.

Even if you're not a fan of Japanese anination, Miyazaki's work should please you. Unlike much of anime (which alternates between goofy kid stuff and ultra-violent adult material), Miyazaki often brings a pastoral beauty and sense of fantasy to charming stories that have a broad, almost Disney-like appeal (MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO). At the same time, he can take on more sophisticated (often pro-environment, anti-war) themes that make his films appeal to adults, perhaps best examplified in the excellent PRINCESS MONONOKE.

His newest film, based on the book by Dianne Wynne Jones, tales the tale of a young girl turned into an old crone when she is cursed by the witch. She seeks help from a wizard name Howl, who lives in the mobile castle of the title. The film (which is distributed in the U.S. by Disney) will open at El Capitan Theatre in Hollwyood on Friday (there is a special "preview" on Thursday). Screenings at El Capitan will alternate between a sub-titled version with the original Japanese dialogue and a dubbed version, supervised by some people from Pixar (the company that made THE INCREDIBLES).

The L.A. Times article is interesting, although the writers did not speak to Miyazaki (who seldom grants interviews). Most of the information comes from Americans involved with dubbng the English language version. Unfortunately, some familiar sentiments emerge: everyone loves the original, yet still they could not resist the urge to "improve" the dialogue for the American release:

"Japanes audiences don't mind as much when a film leaves things a little mysteirous," says one. "For American audiences...we don't like to elave the theatre scratchign our head and asking, 'Now what was that about?'"

Hopefully, not too much "clarifying" has been done for the American dub. Apparently, Studio Ghibli (Miyazaki's company, which produced the film in Japan) had approval over any changes made.

Miyazaki's previous release in America, 2003's SPIRITED AWAY, took home an Oscar for Best Animated Feature. Who knows? If HOLW'S MOVING CASTLE is a hight, and Oscar lightening strikes twice, maybe the reclusive director will bother to show up and accept the award next time.