Film Review – Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)

      Kiki’s Delivery Service, 1989.

      Directed by Hayao Miyazaki.

      Featuring the voice talents of Minami Takayama, Rei Sakuma, Kappei Yamaguchi, Haruko Kato, Keiko Toda (Japanese) and Kirsten Dunst, Phil Hartman, Janeane Garofalo, Debbie Reynolds, Matthew Lawrence, Edie McClurg (English).

      SYNOPSIS:

      Together with her black cat Jiji, Kiki moves to a coastal town and launches a delivery service. This marks the start of her enchanting journey toward independence and responsibility, where she forms lifelong friendships and discovers her place in the world.

      Based on the novel by Eiko Kadono, Kiki’s Delivery Service signifies a new chapter for Studio Ghibli’s distribution in the UK. After the unfortunate news that Elysian Film Group went into insolvency earlier this year, anime enthusiasts in the UK were concerned that the Studio Ghibli collection would again become difficult to access. GKIDS emerged to secure the UK rights, sparing fans from the challenge of finding the increasingly scarce StudioCanal Blu-ray releases of these iconic films.

      As the first Studio Ghibli title launched under the GKIDS label in collaboration with All the Anime, this cherished masterpiece follows Kiki (Minami Takayama/Kirsten Dunst), a young witch who just turned 13 and leaves her home for a year to begin her own delivery service, despite lacking the typical skills of a proficient witch. It is set to grace the biggest screens in the UK with an IMAX presentation, followed by a regular cinema release enhanced by a new 4K remaster.

      Hayao Miyazaki was not the initial director for the film; he took over from Sunao Katabuchi when the project did not match his vision. Nevertheless, his influence is woven throughout the film, creating a truly enchanting experience that will make you smile as you watch the lovable Kiki navigate life and make her way in an unfamiliar setting. Even at just 13, she grapples with challenges that resonate with everyone: fitting in, finding employment, and providing for herself. Nearly 30 years later, the film remains utterly timeless.

      The animation is smooth and visually captivating. Kiki’s actions, whether racing through town or gliding through the sky on her broomstick, are breathtaking. While the film is not anchored to a specific country, it draws inspiration from various European locations, including France and Italy, crafting a city that feels both familiar and unrestricted by a particular identity. The era is also purposefully ambiguous; amid small portable radios, biplanes and blimps populate the skies. This results in a film that is entrancing to behold and feels entirely ageless, comparable to contemporary anime being produced today.

      It’s hard not to be charmed by what is displayed on screen, complemented by an extraordinary score from Joe Hisaishi, a longstanding collaborator of Miyazaki. His music enhances the enchanting atmosphere generated by the beautiful visuals, being perfectly utilized throughout and remarkable to listen to by itself. Both voice casts, whether the original Japanese or the English dub from Walt Disney Studios, are exceptional, ensuring that regardless of the version you choose, you’re experiencing the same masterpiece on screen.

      Kiki’s Delivery Service stands as an exceptional work of animation and anime. A classic that will continue to captivate future generations, its stunning animation, excellent voice acting, and magical score come together to create a film only Studio Ghibli and Miyazaki could produce. An extraordinary film that is a must-see, whether seen on an IMAX screen or in a conventional cinema setting.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

      Robert Ewing