Kiki's Delivery Service product reviews

This is such a fun film.

What I really appreciate about this movie is the simplicity of the characters and the plot. There are no robots, no psychotic megalomaniacs, no monsters, no superheros, no bratty smarty kids that are smarter than adults, no evil moron adults, and no fight scenes. No one is kidnapped or seriously injured. Even though the movie a about a witch, the only supernatural acts in the movie are Kiki flying on a broom and talking to her cat. The movie is about a young girl witch who leaves home with her cat Jiji, moves to a new town, and starts a delivery service. In her business she has some adventures and meets mostly nice people who help her out. In the process she meets a boy named Tombo. Tombo does not have any special powers. He is just a nerdy guy who is trying to build a bicycle that can fly. Tombo gets in to some trouble and Kiki helps him out.

That sounds very dull, but by avoiding the supernatural and monsters, the story is much more easy to relate to. It is a story about leaving home and starting anew, meeting people, helping people, and have people help you when you get into trouble. It is very upbeat, even when things look bleak, they work out with a little help from friends. I liked Tombo's problems trying to be friends with Kiki because they seem like the problems people really have. One of the most beautiful scenes in the movie is Tombo silently waiting in the rain for Kiki who never shows up.

This movie is full of silent beauty. When the baker's wife invites Kiki to move in above the bakery, you get the impression that the gruff but silent husband does not care for Kiki. But in a later scene you see that he has baked a loaf of bread shaped like a girl riding a broom and mounted it in the bakery window. Nothing is ever said about it, but you see how he appreciates her.

This anime has beautifully drawn artwork in bright harmonious colours. It tells a simple engaging story that will appeal to a young audience. I am surprised at the PG rating in NZ. It has an international G rating which I think is appropriate.

This is a light-hearted tale of a young girl who sets off to discover and master her unique talents as a witch. Kiki has no idea what her particular gift might be, but she is determined to prove herself worthy.

It soon becomes clear that Kiki's flying skills and eagerness to help others are her strengths and she sets up a flying delivery service. In the escapades that follow, Kiki triumphs in the struggle to keep believing in herself in the face of apparent failures and learns the value of friendship. Through it all she establishes a role and place for herself in the town.

A worthwhile addition to the children's/family movie collection.