Kiki's Delivery Service: DVD Review
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Page 1 of 3 Buena Vista / 1989 / 105 Minutes / Rated G / Street Date: March 2, 2010
I adore this film. Kiki’s Delivery Service is another beautifully animated film from director Hayao Miyazaki, and Studio Ghibli’s first big hit. This was my first introduction to Miyazaki when it was first released on DVD in the US over a decade ago, and the inspiration for me to search out every Miyazaki film that existed at the time. This is the story of Kiki, a young witch who must go out to a town on her own and establish herself as the town witch – a rite of passage for a young witch. It’s a coming of age story for adolescent girls, but it’s charm reaches way beyond that age range for audiences. It’s a well-rounded film, with comedy, drama and action sequences. My favorite sequence is when Jiji ends up standing in for a stuffed doll and makes a friendship with a lethargic dog. This scene really showcases the amazing animation too. Here and throughout the film, notice Jiji when he gets a chill up his body. The way his fur turns into spiny points is very intuitive. Joe Hisashi’s music really sets the tone perfectly too.
The English dub here is another great reason to get this DVD. Not only Kirsten Dunst and Tress MacNeille, but Jeanane Garofolo is great in a supporting role. However Phil Hartman’s droll delivery as the cat Jiji is the highlight of the English dub. It really showcases his amazing talent – a talent cut way too short. It makes this my favorite of all Miyazaki English dubs.
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