Okay as I promised in my last blog post, you know the one with my podcasting(Not sure if that's a word) schedule that I haven't been following due to personal issues, that I said I'd post regularly on the blog. So I figured I'd start off with a review. What better way to start off than with a Studio Ghibli film?
This is Kiki's Delivery Service:
First off let me just say I love the above image. It reminds me of freedom, also you can't go on to any website that has anime on it without seeing the above image. You never get sick of looking at it either. Which is the perfect way to describe the movie itself. It's one of those films that you can't get sick of.
It's about a 13 year old witch(in training) living in a normal village. I'm not too sure about witch mythology or if this was just made for the book that was turned into the film in question but witches have to live alone for a year when they become 13. I take it that's supposed to show maturity but really? 13? I mean when I was 13 the most mature thing I ever did was watch rated 18 films. And I was considered mature for my age.
Whatever. Anyway she has to live by herself for a year because she's 13. She leaves the village and takes off for the city by the ocean. She's accompanied by her black cat Jiji, voiced by the late Phil Hartman.
When she first arrives in the city she's alone and upset. Pretty much anyone in their early teens can sympathize because we've all been there but that's neither here nor there. After walking around depressed for a bit and pondering if she should just go home or to another city I forget which, she helps a pregnant baker deliver a pacifier to a customer who forgot about it upon leaving the bakery.
Osono, the baker, is amazed with Kiki's ability of flight, which Kiki says is the only skill she has, and agrees to let her stay with her and her husband? I think it's her husband. I've been wrong before. To pay back for Osono's Kindness(That word just sounds wrong to me) she sets up a delivery service. And that's where I'm gonna stop. You just have to see this movie.
As expected with Studio Ghibli the visuals are fantastic. It's one of Hayao Miyazaki's finest works. Everything from the wind blowing through the grass at the start of the movie, to the glimmer of the ocean everything is beautifully done. It has that trademark Ghibli style that everyone knows and loves. The character designs are also done really well, with their own unique style. You'll notice them a mile away which helps for trivia contests on websites :)
The music is done by the Studio Ghibli faithful Joe Hisaishi and he one again does a fantastic job. Not much I can really say.
The story is strong. It's based off a novel by Eiko Kadono with the screenplay written by Hayao Miyazaki and Nobuyuki Isshiki. The dialogue never seemed weird and the characters are really well written. Typical Ghibli style where no one is really a villain they just have different opinions.
Speaking of characters the dub for this film is also one of the better ones I've heard. It's done by Disney who have done the dub for other Ghibli films e.g Laputa: Castle in the Sky, Spirited Away. The dub cast includes Kirsten Dunst as the main character Kiki. The late Phil Hartman as the snarky black cat Jiji. Tress MacNeille as the kind baker Osono and Janeane Garofalo as Ursula(Probably my favourite character).
Things I liked about Kiki's Delivery Service:
The art/animation
The characters
The music
The dub
Things I didn't like:
The ending. I won't spoil it for you but if you really want to know send me an e-mail or something.
Final thoughts:
Kiki's Delivery Service is one of those movies you have to see before you turn 18. I'm not saying people who are 18 or older can't watch it, I'm just saying this movie will definitely affect young teenagers. Especially girls(Duh!). It's a good film to get people into Studio Ghibli as well. As for getting people into anime in general...eh I guess? I mean it wouldn't hurt but you're better off going for something else. I'd still recommend it to ever person I know. I actually let my Art teacher borrow it along with another Studio Ghibli film and she loved it! So in conclusion, Kiki's Delivery Service is a great film. Nay, I'll go one step further. It's a fantastic film. Anyone who dismisses it is missing out. So next time you're at your local HMV or wherever you get your DVDs, ask if they have Kiki's Delivery Service. I don't care what the price is. Buy it. Watch it. Love it.
Joseph "Discrimo" Nee.
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