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Title: Kiki's Delivery Service
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| CONSUMER ADVICE |
Parents, there is nothing objectional in this film. Recommended for all ages. |
In fact, the movie isn't even that deep at first glance. The story of a goldfish wanting to be a real girl is not an uncommon story for a kids film. Just dig out "The Little Mermaid" and "Shrek" for examples where the girl dreams of obtaining human desires in various aspects. And if you are a long time Miyazaki fan then the enviremental themes, human nature commentary, and strong female characters won't be much of a surprise to you either. In fact, by all accounts, the movie shouldn't do anything for me. It's a childrens film, plain and simple. I'm not even going to pretend there's an underlying adult message. If your not five years old, then you were not taken into account during the making of this film.
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Hayao Miyazaki has always been known as an imaginative storyteller with a gifted imagination, but I feel he doesn’t get credit in some of the areas he should. Yes he creates works of stunning vision and scope, but his films are always best when they are character studies. Miyazaki may be a visual wonder but he’s also got a heart for human emotions, and this shows in “Kiki’s Delivery Service” more then any of his other films. The story is simple. Almost ridiculously so. It revolves around a thirteen year old witch named Kiki who must leave home and spread her wings...er, broom, and test her skills out in another town. All she has is her broom, her cat Jiji, and a flying ability that is sub-par to say the least. When she gets to her new town she realizes the only skill she does have is flying.
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Therefor she decides to open a delivery service, with the help of a nice lady who takes her in. She also meets a boy named Tombo who has an obvious crush on her (but she’s less then impressed with him). Out of all of Miyazaki’s films this is probably the least spectacular in terms of visuals. I don’t want to knock it too much for this because the scenes of flight are wonderful to behold and the detail to the European inspired city is second to none, but out of all Miyazaki’s films this is the least fantastical. It’s very down to Earth. Even more so when Kiki loses her witch powers and is forced to live life like the normal girl she always wanted to be. Out of all his movies “Kiki’s Delivery Service” is probably his most human film to date.
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I remember first seeing this movie when I was about the age Kiki is in this film. I remember connecting with it on a deep emotional level at the time because I was going through a transitional period (A.K.A.: Puberty). Like Kiki I was unsure of what talents I had and where I fit into the world. While boys and girls may be different in many ways I believe their fears and uncertainties are very similar. They want to know where they fit in, what their purpose is, and they get scared at these thoughts sometimes. I re-watched the film again recently and it struck another cord with me. I’m in another transitional period in my life. One that has me uprooted from everything and everyone that I knew for the last several months.
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This transition has hit me harder then I thought possible. I’m uncertain about my future at the moment. Movies like “Kiki’s Delivery Service” help me cope with things like this because they speak out. Re-watching the movie I was swept up once again by the story and animation, but once again I found myself emotionally attached to Kiki and her plight. There aren’t too many movies where I can honestly say they’ve touched my life two times. Miyazaki has directed many masterpieces but I truly believe this is one of his best works. It’s one of his most personal films and it touches the heart in ways his other films don’t always do this. It’s more proof that great animation doesn’t require a big villain and Broadway style musical numbers to entertaining.
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