Kikis Delivery Service

 

 

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Face it: any kids' video you buy will be watched over and over, mostly in your presence. You want to choose carefully, since you will be spending so much quality time with this video. Kiki's Delivery Service won't disappoint you. This sweet, gentle movie is a coming-of-age story about Kiki, a 13-year-old witch-in-training. As part of said training, she is required to spend a year away from home practicing her craft. Her subsequent adventures are the subject of this endearing film by Japanese anime director Hayao Miyazaki. The animation is splendid, the casting mostly inspired (Kirsten Dunst, Janeane Garofalo, Debbie Reynolds, and even the late Phil Hartman as the voice of Kiki's companion cat). Unlike the standard Disney fare, this movie has no violence, no sex, no profanity, and not even a dysfunctional family.

The themes of Kiki's Delivery Service are noble ones. There are far worse ways to spend a few hours (or a few dozen) than watching a young girl make friends and gain self-confidence, especially one as appealing as Kiki. Buy yourself an extra copy of this video. When you wear the first one out watching it by yourself, you'll need the spare to placate the kids.

i got this movie for my son becouse he LOVES ponyo and i know miuzaki is a god of film and i was not disapointed. this is one of the pest animated movies ive seen and i was raised on the age of the lion king
please if you love movies get this and ponyo you wont regret it

"Kiki's Delivery Service" is a perfect example of a story idea that is merely decent, but is turned into a brilliant story because it's handled by a master storyteller. It's a literally enchanting story of a young witch who goes out to begin her life as an apprentice witch -- but it's the lovely animation, endearing characters and upbeat message of having confidence in yourself that are really striking.

It's witch tradition that when a young witch begins her training, she spends a year living alone in a strange city. So Kiki (Kirsten Dunst) and her grumpy cat Jiji (Phil Hartman) for a big city. Despite her iffy flying skills and a sudden storm, Kiki successfully makes it to a seaside town -- and soon she has found a room to stay in, job as a delivery-witch, and some new friends (as well as an admiring young boy named Tombo, who's crazy about flying machines).

It doesn't take long for Kiki's business to start booming, and for the townspeople to become very fond of their resident witch. But when she starts feeling like an outsider around Tombo's friends, Kiki finds that she can no longer fly or hear Jiji's voice. Is her magic gone forever -- or does it need something special to finally make a return? Will the little witch learn her greatest lesson, or will she fail before she even really starts?

Personally, most stories that emphasize "believing in yourself," "doing your best" and so on end up being pretty nauseating because it never feels like the filmmakers actually believe it. I can't speak for Hayao Miyazaki's outlook on life, but he is one of the few who actually makes you believe that there's a kind of magic in self-confidence.

The story itself is so simple that it could be summed up in just a couple sentences, but Miyazaki weaves in enough complications and twists that it stays interesting (such as Kiki losing one of her deliveries). Things get rather bittersweet when Kiki loses her powers, but most of the movie is fairly lighthearted and sunny -- and there's some dry humor from Jiji to counterbalance Kiki's earnestness ("Okay, first: don't panic. Second: don't panic. And third: did I mention not to panic?").

And he sketches a truly enchanting backdrop for Kiki's coming-of-age -- a idyllic little village by the sea, framed by the blue sea and rolling green fields. The people are almost unreally kind and generous, leaving you wishing you were in Kiki's place.

And Kiki may be a witch, but she's probably the most realistic "kid" heroine that I've ever seen in a movie. She worries about what people think of her, works hard to do her best, and feels lonely at times after leaving her loving home -- just what you'd expect of a thirteen-year-old. Jiji is a hilariously sardonic familiar with an eye for the lady cats, and Tombo is an endearing young aviation geek who clearly has a crush on Kiki. And Miyazaki sketches out a supporting cast of lovable characters -- kind old ladies, a forest-dwelling artist, a pregnant baker, and others.

"Kiki's Delivery Service" is a simple story with a simple message, but it's delivered with such warmth and sweetness that you don't care at all. Truly magical -- and not the kind you need a witch for.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Fun family film
Kiki's Delivery Service, My Neighbour Totoro and Spirited Away are the three most enjoyable family films by Miyazaki. Read more

Published on Dec 18 2009 by S. Latendresse

5.0 out of 5 stars uplifting movie
VEry cute and wonderful movie for children over 8yrs old..Very adventurous and full of enjoyment

Published on Nov 7 2009 by Linton D. Brown

5.0 out of 5 stars i love this movie!!
this movie is in my list of most watched movies. its about a witch who loses her power to fly and has to struggle with herself to find who she is to be able to fly again. Read more

Published on Dec 26 2007 by elfdart

5.0 out of 5 stars An exciting film for all ages
When enthusiastic young witch Kiki leaves home one full moonlit night to make it on her own, she discovers that more than magic is needed to overcome life's obstacles. Read more

Published on May 25 2004 by L. Mintah

2.0 out of 5 stars Not Miyazaki's finest hour
Once a young witch turns 13 she must go live on her own for 1 year to a town with no other witches to learn her craft. Read more

Published on May 15 2004 by Beardyjin

5.0 out of 5 stars not much to say but THIS MOVIE ABSOLUTLEY ROCKS!!
i love this movie. it rules. its so awsome. when i rented it, i fell in love with it. the pacing is slow, but the art and plot are great. Read more

Published on Mar 20 2004 by Elijah hall

5.0 out of 5 stars A film that everyone will enjoy. As delightful as they come!
It's great that Americans are finally discovering the dazzling animation of Japanese genius Hayao Miyazaki (whose film "Spirited Away" won the award for Best Animated Film in... Read more

Published on Mar 15 2004 by Claude Avary

5.0 out of 5 stars "We each need to find our own inspiration, Kiki."
Before the wonderful animated films "Princess Mononoke" (1999) and "Spirited Away" (2001) were produced, director/writer Hayao Miyazaki co-wrote and directed... Read more

Published on Mar 4 2004 by M. Hart

5.0 out of 5 stars A charming story
Kiki is a delightful character - strong (mostly), friendly (mostly), and successful in the end. This is a real family movie, with enough in it to keep the adults interested. Read more

Published on Feb 19 2004 by wiredweird

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful! Strong female character
It is so hard in this day and age to find movies for little girls to watch that have strong female role models. Read more

Published on Jan 20 2004 by Maisy Daze

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