Kiki’s Delivery Service DVD Review
SoHood.com Reviewed by: Karen Joan
Movie Rating:  4.5 out of 5
Extras Rating: 5 out of 5

Overview: Discover Kiki’s Delivery Service, a fantastic coming-of-age tale full of magic, adventure, and self-discovery from the sensational imagination of Academy Award–winning director Hayao Miyazaki (2002, Best Animated Feature, Spirited Away). And now you can explore even more of Kiki’s amazing world through never-before-seen bonus features—exclusively in this special edition DVD! Kiki is an enterprising young girl who must follow tradition to become a full-fledged witch. Venturing out with only her chatty black cat, Jiji, Kiki flies off for the adventure of a lifetime. Landing in a far-off city, she sets up a high-flying delivery service and begins a wonderful experience of independence and responsibility as she finds her place in the world. Bring home Kiki’s Delivery Service from Studio Ghibli and Disney for your family’s DVD library and share Kiki’s high-flying adventure again and again.

The story of a 13-year old witch-in-training (voiced by Kirsten Dunst). who, in the tradition of her people, must leave home for a year, and make her own way in the world. She must find a new city and provide it a service. Her mother, whose talent is potion making, serves her city as a sort of cross between a pharmacist and a doctor. Kiki leaves her family at midnight on a beautiful, warm night with just her broom, her cat Jiji (voiced by Phil Hartman), and father’s transistor radio. Once Kiki finds the perfect city, she settles right in to help. Since she has no special gift other than flying by use of her broom, she naturally sets up a delivery service, delivering packages and messages all over town.

Kiki learns about many things over the course of the year: responsibility, how to support herself, trust, belief in herself, loyalty, friendship, and even a first crush. She slowly finds her own way, learning and growing as she goes. By the end she is stronger, more sure of herself, and settled in her new community. She has made a life, through learning life’s lessons.

Myazaki’s animation is, as always, simply delightful. The rich textures and delicate details bring his characters to life. It is the little nuances that draw you in: the way the wind tousles Kiki’s hair, the expressions on Jiji’s face, the depth of the background scenery. The pallet is soft and lovely. The entire film is quite gorgeous.

The story of Kiki’s Delivery Service is really more character-driven than plot-driven. I feel the movie really excels in this department. The characters are very likable/endearing. The bonus features contain a Behind the Studio – Discover the film’s inspiration through documentaries, including all-new interviews with Hayao Miyazaki. A Storyboard Presentation of the Movie. And an Introduction by John Lasseter.