It does seem Studio Ghibli, like Pixar in America, can do no wrong with their animated features. "Kiki's Delivery Service" is a charming film which will win over all but the most cynical of viewer. Kiki is a young witch who has to leave home for a year of real-life experience. She chooses a beautiful city on the coast and sets up a delivery service, attracting the attention of various locals.
To be fair, like many Miyazaki films the story is not really important. Other than the stunning visual detail, his films are most often centred around character rather than plot. I think the strongest aspect of all of Miyazaki's films is the way he mixes the fantastic with a very strong and realistic sense of place and characters with very human complexity. Kiki could have been left simply as a cute bubbly, optimistic character, and probably would have been in an American animated film. However, Kiki has moments of near depression as she struggles to deal with the attention of the infatuated young boy, Tombo. She struggles with her anti-social tendencies when confronted with new social situations. These very human weaknesses create a very sympathetic and rounded character , which can only enhance the film. Of course the film is enjoyable at a simple plot level, although the ending does seem a touch abrupt. I would say that the US voice dub is weaker than usual, Kirsten Dunst being a little annoying as the voice of Kiki though Phil Hartman near steals the show as her black cat Jiji.
A fine film which will keep kids amused, but is equally rewarding for older fans of animation and Studio Ghibli anime.
To be fair, like many Miyazaki films the story is not really important. Other than the stunning visual detail, his films are most often centred around character rather than plot. I think the strongest aspect of all of Miyazaki's films is the way he mixes the fantastic with a very strong and realistic sense of place and characters with very human complexity. Kiki could have been left simply as a cute bubbly, optimistic character, and probably would have been in an American animated film. However, Kiki has moments of near depression as she struggles to deal with the attention of the infatuated young boy, Tombo. She struggles with her anti-social tendencies when confronted with new social situations. These very human weaknesses create a very sympathetic and rounded character , which can only enhance the film. Of course the film is enjoyable at a simple plot level, although the ending does seem a touch abrupt. I would say that the US voice dub is weaker than usual, Kirsten Dunst being a little annoying as the voice of Kiki though Phil Hartman near steals the show as her black cat Jiji.
A fine film which will keep kids amused, but is equally rewarding for older fans of animation and Studio Ghibli anime.