camicoop This was one of the first studio ghibli films i had seen and i was pleasantly surprised. it's a really sweet and cute movie and i believe it is suitable for all ages :>

WondrousMoose Over the past few months, I've been catching up on Studio Ghibli's legendary catalog of anime films. For almost 30 years, they released some of the most highly acclaimed animation and with incredible consistency. They co-produced last year's The Red Turtle, and I've heard rumors that they will be coming back from their hiatus in the near future. Until then, though, I have plenty more to catch up on; my most recent experience has been with one that I have heard a whole lot about – 1989's Kiki's Delivery Service.In this film, a young witch named Kiki (Takayama/Dunst) has just turned 13, the traditional age for her to leave her family and train her magic on her own. With her black cat Jiji (Sakuma/Hartman) at her side, she sets off and ends up in a large coastal city. There, she finds work at a local baker, befriends a lively artist, and catches the attention of an energetic boy named Tombo (Yamaguchi/Lawrence). As she struggles to find her purpose, she has to learn to make something of herself in a place that doesn't seem to have much use for witches.This has got to be one of the most charming movies that I've seen in a while. Through the combination of story, music, and Kiki herself, director Hayao Miyazaki creates a tone similar to that of his childlike masterpiece My Neighbor Totoro. We see Kiki's enthusiastic personality take her from place to place, and through the score and some good visuals, we feel every bit of this with her. Kiki proves once again that Miyazaki is an absolute master of character.One aspect that I respect about this movie is that to show us Kiki's life and personal growth, it doesn't follow a standard plot structure and instead tells its story emotionally. We follow Kiki in her everyday life as she responds to different situations and learns more about herself and the world around her. I described the plot of the film in just a few sentences above; I honestly wouldn't have much more to say in terms of particular moments, but that is part of the magic of this movie. Kiki's Delivery Service is a story about Kiki herself, and the fact that the film doesn't send her along common plot points keeps the focus entirely on her.The movie is also grounded, given its mystical elements. It takes place in essentially our world, only people are used to the existence of witches – some are fascinated, and some don't care at all. In one scene, Kiki lands on a street corner and enthusiastically shares her goals to the few people standing there, who then continue with their day as usual. You are given a real sense of the size of the city and how little Kiki seems capable of at her age, despite her high ambitions.At its core, this is a very down-to-earth movie about a teenage girl figuring out her place in the world and struggling with her conflicting desires of comfort and independence. At 13 years old, she wants to do so much, but she often finds herself inhibited by other kids, by her emotions, and by the environment surrounding her.Long-time Miyazaki collaborator Joe Hisaishi wrote the score for Kiki, and this is in my opinion one of his best. Each piece uniquely contributes to the character of the film and provides an emotional backbone without smothering or controlling the viewer's experience. His scores are often . I recommend listening to "A Town With An Ocean View" online to get a sense of not only the score but for the tone of the film as a whole.Overall, Kiki's Delivery Service is a wonderful coming-of-age story about a girl finding herself in a strange place. This movie probably won't work for someone who watches anime for amazement, but it is just about perfect for lovers of people and their stories. I really wish that I had discovered Studio Ghibli's movies before they went on hiatus. In my experience so far, the quality of their films ranges from good to some of the all-time best, and this one in every way deserves its status as a classic.

Sjalka Rjadottir For me - it is a clear 10/10. It is one of those rare gems that contradicts so many usual movie concepts but emerges much better from this.This movie tells a part of a story of the life of Kiki. It is an exciting part - full of wonder and adventure ... but it is not some artificial adventure with epic good vs. evil... nor is it some rare and unlikely incident that puts the protagonist into unlikely positions she needs to solve with previously unknown skills.Instead it is the excitement of growing up and becoming independent. The situations Kiki gets in are situations that pretty much EVERYONE lived through at a certain age. There is not really much hyped up action (well, at least if you get down to it...) - and everything Kiki goes through remains relatable.The people - no matter of importance - act natural (well in the context of most Miyazaki movies) and it is one of those rare movies that gets along without an antagonist to drive the story forward.But at no time does the movie feel long or boring - and it also ends on a high note without sinking into stereotypes.In terms of art and design - it is as stunning as other Miyazaki films of that time. Amazing hand drawn animation with a vivid world and vibrant colours. Probably not as stunning as Spirited Away .. but on equal terms with Howl's Moving Castle.

sharky_55 If there ever was a missed opportunity in Miyazaki's oeuvre, it was having Kiki settle down above a bakery and have almost zero depiction of the arts of creating bread. Miyazaki has always been known for his attention to detail, and this is most notable on an empty stomach. From the viscosity of the egg whites and yolk in Howl's Moving Castle, to the great towering feasts in Spirited Away, he makes food memorable. It is not just a source of sustenance, but a hearty and delicious experience in itself. Where were the scenes of Kiki, sleeves rolled up and determined expression, kneading and working the dough as if her life depended on it (her accommodation does)? Where is the shot of the glowing coals in the oven turning rows of bread golden? Granted, we do see a herring pie being lovingly crafted. The end result of this dish, however, is the abrupt realisation of the brattiness of some girls her age - it's an important moment of growth for Kiki, who has been struggling to make ends meet and on the verge of feeling sorry for herself.So, while the civilised society of the larger city may marvel and gasp at her flight, there is a secondary layer to examine here; the surprise that a thirteen year old is already out surviving on her own. Kiki's entire existence contradicts what the people of Koriko believe, that children her age should still be building toys to play with and having parties and gifts showered upon them. Miyazaki has embedded this theme of early blossoming and coming-of-age well, so that it becomes universal rather than just an examination of a witch's unique journey. Kiki's challenges don't manifest in mastering magic spells or concocting problems, but rather those that most people will need to face sooner rather than later; making her own living, managing her finances and meals, taking responsibility for her own mistakes. In the beginning Kiki favours the smaller, fashionable broom over her mother's, which is larger and bulkier, although safer. We see that even within the witch community we have divas - a brief appearance from a snide, prettied up witch whose skill has already been realised. This is revealed to be fortune telling, specifically in the domain of love and romance. I love this little detail because Miyazaki doesn't ever feel the need to explain the legitimacy of her talent. It's left up in the air, for Kiki and the audience to judge for themselves; is being told where your love life's future lies all that valuable? This question prompts the start of Kiki's self- evaluation. And later, we have something that momentarily shakes her; is delivery a more valuable and enriching talent, if it is to snobby brats that deride gifts from their loving grandmother? Kiki's Delivery Service is as technically proficient as any Miyazaki and Ghibli feature, who have continually raised the bar for animation for years and years. The idyllic coastal town is made beautiful with stunning overhead shots from Kiki's perspective, swooping in and out of the clouds and alongside migrating birds. Miyazaki has never shied away from exaggerated facial animations, from as early as Castle in the Sky; wide open grins, great belly laughs, the way character's eyes shimmer and widen in surprise and indignation. Wonderful stuff. And the English voice dub, overseen by Miyazaki himself, is as always top quality for a Ghibli feature. A young Kirsten Dunst brings such a nuanced vulnerability to a mere child forced to fend for herself. I'd even say it surpasses the original Japanese; there is moment after she finally delivers the herring pie in the rain, only to have its recipient not even be grateful, and realises that her wet clothes and lateness has made her miss the party. Osono tries to persuade her and lift her spirits, but she replies "It doesn't matter anyway. I can't go in these wet clothes." and there is just the slightest hit of a sob that Dunst holds in at the end of the sentence, but it is enough to tell us that she is close to breaking down. Another great little feature of the dub is the way that Tombo's (Matthew Lawrence) voice is chopped up by the rotating rotor as he tries to takeoff in the wind. What great care and attention to detail. My favourite moment is dear old Bertha in the hallway, who is making vroom vroom noises and pretending that she is young again and flying high amongst the skies. Even in the most unlikely of moments Miyazaki can find our inherent childhood.