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Kiki's Delivery Service

Kiki's Delivery Service

List Price: $29.99
Your Price: $22.49
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: "We each need to find our own inspiration, Kiki."
Review: Before the wonderful animated films "Princess Mononoke" (1999) and "Spirited Away" (2001) were produced, director/writer Hayao Miyazaki co-wrote and directed the very charming 1989 animated film now known as "Kiki's Delivery Service". Based upon a book written by Eiko Kadono, the film was originally titled "Majo no takkyubin", which translates literally as "The Witches Express Mail". As the original implies, the film is about a young, 13-year-old witch named Kiki, who, like all other witches in the story, is required to spend one year away from home and live an independent life. At the beginning of the film, Kiki (whose English voice was done by Kirsten Dunst) is still at home and very excited about her impending year away. On the night of the full moon, Kiki decides that it is time to leave. Her parents (voices done by Kath Soucie and Jeff Bennett) watch Kiki rise into the air upon her broomstick with her talking black cat Jiji (voice of Phil Hartman, 1948-1998) and travel to a city along the ocean. There, Kiki eventually finds a place to live: a bakery owned by Osono (voice of Tress MacNeille), where she starts her own delivery service. Along the way, Kiki meets an artist named Ursula (voice of Janeane Garofalo), a boy named Tombo (voice of Matthew Lawrance) and an elderly woman named Miss Dora (voice of Debbie Reynolds).

Like many of Miyazaki's films, there is no "bad guy" in "Kiki's Delivery Service", but there are some exciting moments and the story tends to focus on self-discovery and interpersonal relationships. The film is very charming and is sure to entertain any child that watches it and adults will more than likely enjoy it too. The quality of animation isn't quite as spectacular as in Miyasaki's later animated films, but like looking at paintings by the same artist, "Kiki's Delivery Service" is in Miyasaki's beautiful artistic style. Overall, I rate "Kiki's Delivery Service" with 5 out of 5 stars and highly recommend it to everyone.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A charming story
Review: 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.

The animation, of course, is magnificent. The backgrounds are filled with wonderful detail, and the main characters all stand on their own. Gigi is my personal favorite - except maybe for Jeff. Jeff's one brief scene shows more personality than some characters display in a whole movie.

"Delivery Service", centered on the hard-working young girl, is an interesting omen of Miyazaki's things to come. "Spirited Away" centers on the same kind of character. "Spirited Away" is a much more mature work, where the lead girl faces more complex situations. That difference surely comes from Miyazaki's growth as a director between the two movies. It may also be deliberate, if the two movies are intended for slightly different age groups.

This may be a little young for some viewers, but young viewers need movies too. This is a winner.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A nice family film.
Review: Kiki's Delivery Service is the story of a young witch who leaves home to apprentice in another town. It is a coming of age movie that the whole family will enjoy. Kiki must learn to grow and develop confidence in herself.

While not my favorite from director Miyazaki it is still very good. the Japanese Amine is wonderful and this one is not violent as some other amine.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Anyone who gives this less than 5 is blind to Miyazaki.
Review: This is probley my favorite Miyazaki film ever!This is a heartwarming movie that anyone can fall in love with.Perfect Anime family film!(Anime fans whose parents think Anime is demeaning to women and/or violent porn,show them this film.)And did I mention,Phil Hartman was the perfect Jiji.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Coming of Age Anime...
Review: When witches turn 13 they leave their home to live by themselves for a year. Kiki has just turned 13 and must now master the broom and face her own fears in order to be a successful witch. She must also build a strong belief in her own abilities and face love for the first time in her life. Kiki's best friend Jiji, a black cat, travels with her on her year long journey and often interjects with hilarious comments on the things and issues they face. Kiki's Delivery Service is a remarkable film with many valuable lessons to be pondered by both young and old. In addition, the film offers both humor, drama, and suspense, which in the end has been put together into a superb cinematic experience.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Middling Miyazaki
Review: Kiki starts beautifully and breezily with the bouncy rhythm of a good pop tune. Then it turns into a long sermon about virtue requiring the suppression of individuality(in this case, the ability to fly)to serve the common good. Well, the message is partly good. But, shouldn't someone gifted with talent beyond the ordinary use it for something other than delivering cookies? Kiki can be read as a Japanese as an outsider in a foreign land and the message seems to be try hard to fit in and be 'a credit to your race'. Or, if you read Kiki as an outsider in Japan, then the message is try to act humble and quiet like Japanese.
For some reason Kiki's power wanes and comes back only when it's urgently needed to rescue people in danger. Eh? Was Miyazaki suddenly saying unless we expand the scope of our talent it grows stale? If so, this message is dropped on our lap with no preparation. A very bad ending indeed.
Still, there are alot of little pleasures to be found throughout the movie. And, Kiki is really cute and adorable.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: HEARTWARMING AND ADVENTUROUS
Review: This film is plan and simple perfect. It will delight both young and old. This is the perfect film to gather you and your family around on some rainning day just to simple enjoy. Children will be inthralled with Kiki's adventures, while parents will see the story for what it is. A childs' first steps into adulthood. This is a work of pure magic that will be fond a memory to both children and adults alike.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Totaly Charming
Review: I adored this movie. It was charming, though not as great as Sprited away or Castle in the Sky, but is defantly worth the buy.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Pure Magic
Review: This animation was pure magic. The drawings are slightly outdated, but the deep storyline, nostalgia of growing up, and plain-awesome soundtrack easily make up for that.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Miyazaki does it again! We are true fans now!
Review: We got Spirited Away from the library and enjoyed it so much! When I saw Kiki at the video store, I knew that it was a hidden treasure and grabbed it! The family watched it that night and several times over the next couple of days. It is a film for the whole family with lessons of courage and finding one's own path. We are a Christian family and I had a few reservations at first, but after watching this movie, I am a true Miyazaki fan! We will be buying the three pack for Christmas this year!


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