Kiki's Delivery Service

Submitted by Reviewer (not verified) on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 - 00:25

zen - movies

Walt Disney Video: Kiki's Delivery Service

Made	Walt Disney Video
Date	2003-04-15
Media	DVD
Catalog	DVD
Sales Rank	2376
Audience Rating	NR (Not Rated)
Theatrical Release Date	1989
Availability	Usually ships in 24 hours
List Price	US$29.99
Our Price*	US$23.99

*Price subject to change

Amazon.com US$23.99

Amazon Canada CDN$36.89

Amazon UK

Reviews:

Rating 4.5/5 from 322 reviews

Fun, light entertainment...

Rating: 4/5 2008-09-02

I could see why some people wouldn't appreciate this film. If you wrote the plot down on a piece of paper, this film would look pretty dull. Girl witch leaves home, she meets some people, makes some deliveries, etc. So, I perfectly understand why some may find it boring. The story of Kiki's Delivery Service is really more character-driven than plot-driven. I feel the movie really excels in this department. The characters are very likeable/endearing. I fully enjoyed seeing Kiki come into her own as she gained some confidence in a new place. Overall, this is just a simple, sweet film about growing up, and I think "Kiki's Delivery Service" really succeeds in being this. I recommend it to anyone who's looking for a quieter non-violent film.

P.S.- Aside from the film (which is excellent), I must complain about the bonus features, which suck. The second disc only contains storyboards, which most people (including me) will not watch (because they are boring). There's an intro from John Lasseter (why?) which just consists of him telling us in five minutes about how great the movie is. Then there's a small interview with the English voice actors. I just wished there was something better, like a making-of. Still, this doesn't detract from the overall excellent film.

Adorable, Sweet, and Fun. A Movie for the Entire Family

Rating: 5/5 (7 out of 7 think this is helpful) 2008-08-31

KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE is a wonderful family film. My entire family - my husband, 11-year old daughter, 3-year old daughter, and me - all absolutely love Kiki. We have watched it many, many times, and it is still as fresh and cute and captivating as it was the first time.

KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE is the story of a 13-year old witch-in-training (voiced by Kirsten Dunst), who, in the tradition of her people, must leave home for a year, and make her own way in the world. She must find a new city and provide it a service. Her mother, whose talent is potion making, serves her city as a sort of cross between a pharmacist and a doctor. Kiki leaves her family at midnight on a beautiful, warm night with just her broom, her cat Jiji (voiced by Phil Hartman), and father's transistor radio. Once Kiki finds the perfect city, she settles right in to help. Since she has no special gift other than flying by use of her broom, she naturally sets up a delivery service, delivering packages and messages all over town.

Kiki learns about many things over the course of the year: responsibility, how to support herself, trust, belief in herself, loyalty, friendship, and even a first crush. She slowly finds her own way, learning and growing as she goes. By the end she is stronger, more sure of herself, and settled in her new community. She has made a life, through learning life's lessons.

Myazaki's animation is, as always, simply delightful. The rich textures and delicate details bring his characters to life. It is the little nuances that draw you in: the way the wind tousles Kiki's hair, the expressions on Jiji's face, the depth of the background scenery. The pallet is soft and lovely. The entire film is quite gorgeous.

As I said earlier, my entire family is enthralled by Kiki's coming of age story; none more so than my youngest daughter. For Halloween last year (2007), she wanted to be a witch. I asked her if she wanted to be a witch like the one in the Little Einsteins' Hansel and Gretel episode or one like Kiki. "I want to be Kiki, Mommy! I want to be Kiki!!!" She was very definite on that point. So she had a black dress, red shoes, a red hair bow, a small broom, and a stuffed Jiji (ordered from Japan!). She was so excited and so cute. I think the impression that KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE made on a then 2 year old speaks volumes. This quiet, simple story of learning to be happy with and to trust in yourself is timeless and appeals to all ages and generations.

Hayao Miyazaki Amazes!

Rating: 5/5 (1 out of 1 think this is helpful) 2008-08-25

This film is filled with the wonder of childhood, elements of the adventure quest, a girls search for her place in the world, a story of friendship, confidence, trust in yourself. And optimism, that even in the face of hardships Kiki endures and recovers and believes in her self.

Stylistically it is beautiful. A reserved palette, original and quaint small town qualities, even a love of travel is presented with simple pastoral landscapes and a lovely city on the sea.

Such a gem of a film. Hopefully his films will soon be on Blu-Ray.

I'm a 37 year old man, and still love this movie!

Rating: 4/5 2008-08-17

I admit this movie is REALLY cute and intended for a younger audience, but it speaks to the inner child in me. It has a real nice spin on kids gearing up to go be on their own. I was alos surprised (and elated) to hear the late, great Phil Hartman as the voice of GiGi.

Okay

Rating: 3/5 2008-08-12

After buying Spirited Away - which my family loved, I wanted to purchase more movies by Hayao Miyazaki. Kiki's Delivery Service was AVERAGE, nice story but nothing that stands out, $24 was way too much for this movie.

Editorials:

Description

Rarely does a film touch so many hearts or reach such artistic heights as the highly acclaimed KIKI'S DELIVERY SERIVCE, the magical adventure of an enterprising young girl who must follow tradition to become a full-fledged witch. Venturing out with only her chatty black cat Jiji, KiKi flies off for the adventure of a lifetime. Landing in a far-off city, she sets up a high-flying delivery service. Here begins a wonderful experience of independence and responsibility as she finds her place in the world. The breathtaking animation of the legendary Hayao Miyazaki and the star voice talents of Kirsten Dunst (KiKi), Phil Hartman (Jiji), Matthew Lawrence (Tombo), and more make KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE soar with an energy, excitement, and the kind of imagination that entertains again and again!

Amazon.com

In Hayao Miyazaki's magical Kiki's Delivery Service, a 13-year-old girl meets the world head on as she spends her first year soloing as an apprentice witch. Kiki (Kirsten Dunst) is still a little green and plenty headstrong, but also resourceful, imaginative, and determined. With her trusty wisp of a cat Jiji (a gently subdued Phil Hartman) by her side she's ready to take on the world, or at least the quaintly European seaside village she's chosen as her new home. Miyazaki's gentle rhythm and meandering narrative capture the easy pulse of real life (even if his subject is a girl flying high upon a broomstick) and charts the everyday struggles and growing pains of his plucky heroine with sensitivity and understanding. Beautifully detailed animation and the rich designs of the picture-postcard seaside town of red-tiled roofs and cobblestone streets only add to the sense of wonder. This charming animated fantasy is a wholesome, life-affirming picture that doesn't speak down to kids or up to adults. --Sean Axmaker

[ latest article | « The Subtle Knife ... | Castle in the Sky » | 65 reads ]