LoginKiki's Delivery Service Reviews
A delightful little gem
Posted : 1 year, 6 months ago on 16 November 2022 08:37
Like I said with Nausicaa, Kiki's Delivery Service for me isn't quite a top 5 of my favourite Ghibli movies, it makes for a solid position in my top 10. It is a beautiful film, light-hearted and entertaining with very little to criticise really. The story is simple yet very imaginative, the dialogue is good and the pacing is well judged. My favourite assets of Kiki's Delivery Service are the animation, music and characters. The animation as you would expect is gorgeous especially in the colours, and the music is stunning. The characters are unique, likable and always engaging, I have to say Kiki is one of my favourite protagonists ever in a Ghibli movie and I mean that. Overall, lovely and delightful. 9.5/10 Bethany Cox
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A good movie
Posted : 6 years, 1 month ago on 22 March 2018 10:33
Since this movie was the last one directed by Hayao Miyazaki that I haven't seen so far, of course, I was really eager to check it out. Eventually, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this movie. Indeed, when I heard that it would be about a young witch called Kiki, I thought it would be really childish but I really enjoyed it, even if it was still too cute and gentle for my taste. First of all, as usual with this director, the animation was just really impressive, especially since it has been made almost 30 years ago. Then, even though Miyazaki gave us another nice little girl as a protagonist, she turned out to be much more complex than his usual characters who can be slightly boring to be honest. Basically, she was a teenager going through puberty explaining why she was almost rude during some scenes, at least, that's how it seemed to be for me. As a result, there was an interesting balance between the cuteness you get in your average animated feature and also in many Ghibli productions and a nice darker and more believable approach about growing up in a real or fantactic world. Still, the whole thing never reached the depth and complexity of 'Spirited Away' which remains by far the best movie delivered by this director. Anyway, it didn't miss much to be really amazing but it was still a really strong Ghibli production and it is definitely worth a look, especially if you like the genre.
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Kiki's Delivery Service review
Posted : 10 years, 2 months ago on 24 February 2014 12:38
Brilliant, very creative, and touching animated film by Hayao Miyazaki. Its level of simplicity is the strength that drives this amazing visual experience.
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Kiki's Delivery Service review
Posted : 11 years, 12 months ago on 19 May 2012 02:46
Miyazaki continues to surprise with this coming-of-age tale of a young witch who leaves her home for her training according to the tradition and after taking refuge in a beautiful city she starts her own delivery service. As is with other Miyazaki films, this anime too isn't artificial in its emotions even when Kiki is equipped with the same old movie clichés. Kiki is an interesting character: she is optimistic, energetic and smart but at the same time she covets, she is proud making her sound a little foolish at times. Miyazaki's portrayal of young girls has always been perfect in every sense (e.g. his other films like Totoro, Spirited Away). Thus our Kiki is the hero and the villain both at the same time. She is that kind of person whose true goal is not to face life but is to face herself and her pride. Honestly, we all have gone through this phase, haven't we? Thus the portrayal of the lead character itself is so strong the film engages the audience like a thriller film does. Secondly, the people around Kiki were captured equally powerfully. She befriends a boy of her age, Tombo (he kind of looks like Waldo from Where's Waldo), then a pregnant woman and her husband who runs a bakery.
If you watch Kiki then one will realize that Miyazaki has used a variety of characters in Kiki who actually are the real juice of the movie. The early 20th century city itself has a character of its own and adds to the sweetness of the film without making it “too” sweet. The animation itself is another surprising element. Miyazaki has taken care of all the intricate details so powerfully that it’s impossible for us not to notice them and the hidden meaning behind it. Over the years critics and fans have debated the age in which the story actually takes place. Miyazaki deduced later in an interview that the story takes place in a different universe where both the World Wars never took place!
Another surprising masterpiece from Miyazaki with lovely imagery, interesting characters, an engaging story and most important of all: a thought-provoking conclusion that we never probably get to see in any other animated films. Highly recommended for animation fans and non-fans alike.
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If you watch Kiki then one will realize that Miyazaki has used a variety of characters in Kiki who actually are the real juice of the movie. The early 20th century city itself has a character of its own and adds to the sweetness of the film without making it “too” sweet. The animation itself is another surprising element. Miyazaki has taken care of all the intricate details so powerfully that it’s impossible for us not to notice them and the hidden meaning behind it. Over the years critics and fans have debated the age in which the story actually takes place. Miyazaki deduced later in an interview that the story takes place in a different universe where both the World Wars never took place!
Another surprising masterpiece from Miyazaki with lovely imagery, interesting characters, an engaging story and most important of all: a thought-provoking conclusion that we never probably get to see in any other animated films. Highly recommended for animation fans and non-fans alike.
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''We each need to find our own inspiration.''
Posted : 14 years, 5 months ago on 15 December 2009 06:49
''We each need to find our own inspiration, Kiki. Sometimes it's not easy.''
A young witch, on her mandatory year of independent life, finds fitting into a new community difficult while she supports herself by running an air courier service.
Kirsten Dunst:Kiki
Majo no takkyûbin(1989) known as Kiki's Delivery Service features such a character in Kiki, a thirteen year old witch whom is made to leave home and find a new city in which to hone her skills.
The trials and liberations of independence await Kiki in the town she chooses to live. But for the most part Kiki seems to be able to find a generous benefactor to help her overcome obstacles without resorting to her natural powers. Her helpfulness earns her a lodging at a bakery where Kiki quickly resolves to start a delivery service. When she almost botches her first errand she relies on the kindness of a cabin dwelling artist who has found the toy black cat Kiki had dropped. And later a sleepy eyed St Bernard helps her exchange it with her black cat Jiji, who had been pretending to be a toy in the recipient's house. Because Kiki meets with friendliness from everyone; the film avoids confronting the lurking menace the big town would normally pose for a thirteen year old girl. Rather, the unimaginative conclusion of the film seems to be that friendliness always benefits it's patrons.
After Kiki promises a boy she meets to attend a party with him, she spends her entire day helping an old woman prepare a herring pie for her granddaughter and misses the appointment. This is around the time Kiki begins to lose her magical powers. But this is a rare reminder that Kiki is supposed to be a training witch, and the film never explains how Kiki loses her magical powers and how she subsequently regains them at a conveniently helpful interval in the story.
Due to Hayao Miyazaki's spirited direction the film rarely loses its magical spark. Nonetheless; also the writer of the film, Miyazaki takes many thoughtful detours from the fundamental themes underlying the story. After seeing this film, a viewer may still wonder why those people seemed to be so undisturbed by the sight of an adolescent witch zooming across their town on a broomstick. One may also ask why Kiki decides to start a delivery service instead of sticking to her avowed mission to train to be a witch. Unfortunately, Kiki's Delivery Service leaves these and many more questions unanswered. Fortunately we can fill in the blanks with our imaginations.
What sets Kiki's Delivery Service apart from many of Miyazaki's other works is the personal, rather than epic, nature of the story. It wonderfully captures the daily life of an aspiring 13-year-old girl moving into the life of a bustling town. While there is plenty to please the thrill-seeking adventurous spirit, the film's real beauty lies in its ability to portray the more introverted aspects of life. Most Western animated cinema centers around loud, pop-influenced music and a bad-guy-fighting action-oriented plot, but Kiki's Delivery Service has a charming and understated musical score, and lacks a traditional antagonist. Life isn't all excitement and fighting bad guys; something that this film seems to get across more so than any Disney, Pixar, Fox, or other Western animated film I've ever seen. In fact, the doldrums of life are what form the heart of this film.
Majo no takkyûbin is a masterpiece, and Kiki's search for the heart within herself is a tale that adults may appreciate more than their children. Indeed, Kiki is one of the most appealing characters that Miyazaki ever brought to life, which is certainly saying something. One of Miyazaki's great talents is in never be belittling his audience, and with this fantastic story he proves this point once again.
''Well, well, well... hello kitty.''
A young witch, on her mandatory year of independent life, finds fitting into a new community difficult while she supports herself by running an air courier service.
Kirsten Dunst:Kiki
Majo no takkyûbin(1989) known as Kiki's Delivery Service features such a character in Kiki, a thirteen year old witch whom is made to leave home and find a new city in which to hone her skills.
The trials and liberations of independence await Kiki in the town she chooses to live. But for the most part Kiki seems to be able to find a generous benefactor to help her overcome obstacles without resorting to her natural powers. Her helpfulness earns her a lodging at a bakery where Kiki quickly resolves to start a delivery service. When she almost botches her first errand she relies on the kindness of a cabin dwelling artist who has found the toy black cat Kiki had dropped. And later a sleepy eyed St Bernard helps her exchange it with her black cat Jiji, who had been pretending to be a toy in the recipient's house. Because Kiki meets with friendliness from everyone; the film avoids confronting the lurking menace the big town would normally pose for a thirteen year old girl. Rather, the unimaginative conclusion of the film seems to be that friendliness always benefits it's patrons.
After Kiki promises a boy she meets to attend a party with him, she spends her entire day helping an old woman prepare a herring pie for her granddaughter and misses the appointment. This is around the time Kiki begins to lose her magical powers. But this is a rare reminder that Kiki is supposed to be a training witch, and the film never explains how Kiki loses her magical powers and how she subsequently regains them at a conveniently helpful interval in the story.
Due to Hayao Miyazaki's spirited direction the film rarely loses its magical spark. Nonetheless; also the writer of the film, Miyazaki takes many thoughtful detours from the fundamental themes underlying the story. After seeing this film, a viewer may still wonder why those people seemed to be so undisturbed by the sight of an adolescent witch zooming across their town on a broomstick. One may also ask why Kiki decides to start a delivery service instead of sticking to her avowed mission to train to be a witch. Unfortunately, Kiki's Delivery Service leaves these and many more questions unanswered. Fortunately we can fill in the blanks with our imaginations.
What sets Kiki's Delivery Service apart from many of Miyazaki's other works is the personal, rather than epic, nature of the story. It wonderfully captures the daily life of an aspiring 13-year-old girl moving into the life of a bustling town. While there is plenty to please the thrill-seeking adventurous spirit, the film's real beauty lies in its ability to portray the more introverted aspects of life. Most Western animated cinema centers around loud, pop-influenced music and a bad-guy-fighting action-oriented plot, but Kiki's Delivery Service has a charming and understated musical score, and lacks a traditional antagonist. Life isn't all excitement and fighting bad guys; something that this film seems to get across more so than any Disney, Pixar, Fox, or other Western animated film I've ever seen. In fact, the doldrums of life are what form the heart of this film.
Majo no takkyûbin is a masterpiece, and Kiki's search for the heart within herself is a tale that adults may appreciate more than their children. Indeed, Kiki is one of the most appealing characters that Miyazaki ever brought to life, which is certainly saying something. One of Miyazaki's great talents is in never be belittling his audience, and with this fantastic story he proves this point once again.
''Well, well, well... hello kitty.''
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