Studio Ghibli, no matter where you go in the world of animation this name will remain consistent. It will stand taller than studios such as Pixar and Disney, because Studio Ghibli’s most powerful weapon, Hayao Miyazaki, is one of the most avid lovers of film and knows how to break into an audience’s soul. Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki’s unparalleled creativity and imaginative supremacy are something that no other can compete with, and Kiki’s Delivery Service is one of the best examples of why Hayao Miyazaki is so revered in the world of animation!
How to Download Kiki’s Delivery Service
You can download the film from a digital store. You can also stream it. Click on the Download button at the end of this review and make your choice. If you like Studio Ghibli films, check out also our reviews of Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, or My Neighbor Totoro.
The Movie Review
In the film, a young witch by the name of Kiki moves to a new town with her cat Jiji and launches a delivery business. She encounters a variety of characters while running her business, most of whom are helpful and kind. She encounters Tombo, a boy, throughout the process. Tombo lacks any unique abilities. He’s just a nerdy boy who wants to create a flying bicycle. Kiki steps in to help Tombo while he is in trouble. Kiki’s Delivery Service takes elements from the world of fantasy, and crafts a realistic portrayal of new beginnings and human connection.
The plot itself may sound incredibly uninteresting, but by staying away from magic and monsters, the story remains relatable. It’s a tale about starting over after leaving home, about making new friends, about lending a hand whenever you can, and about receiving acts of kindness from others.
It is positive because even when things seem hopeless, they manage to turn out okay with a little help from Kiki’s friends. Tombo’s character was very relatable, his difficulties in making friends, in keeping his friendship with Kiki afloat seemed very real because those seemed like issues that regular individuals would encounter in the real world. Tombo waiting patiently for Kiki in the rain, who never arrives, is one of the most beautiful and heartbreaking scenes in the film.
Since Hayao Miyazaki bothers with so many small animation aspects that other filmmakers don’t, his films stand out and have an incredibly authentic, genuine feel to them. You get the idea that the baker dislikes Kiki after the baker’s wife extends an invitation to Kiki so she can move into the room above the bakery. He’s silent and seems indifferent so it’s easy to get that impression.
However, you can see that he bakes and hangs a loaf of bread in the shape of a girl riding a broom in the bakery window in a scene later on. You can see that he respects her even though he never expresses it explicitly. You might have missed certain aspects, it’s the tiny moments of pure detail that make the movie so enjoyable for multiple viewings.
I’ve watched the film in both the dubbed and the subtitled versions. They each excel in their own unique ways as well. It’s one of the best-dubbed movies I’ve watched in a while since the wisecracking Jiji gives the dubbed version a lighter, funnier tone. You may fully appreciate the animation’s magnificence because the letterbox version of the subtitled version is also available. Although dubbing is excellent in today’s time, watching it with subtitles is simply a better experience.
The Music
Kiki’s Delivery Service has a charming and subtle musical score by the brilliant Joe Hisashi, ditching the conventional loud, pop-influenced music and an action-oriented plot involving good guys versus bad guys. The spectacle in animation resides in the moments where we see Kiki soaring through the skies instead of the villains and battles. Kiki’s Delivery Service really had some of the most beautiful displays of color I’ve seen in animation, and I can’t respect Studio Ghibli enough for this work of art!
Verdict
Overall, this anime film is up there with the best of them and will most certainly be enjoyed by viewers of all ages. Although it may seem too sweet, it never actually feels that way. Similarly, the plot, which appears somewhat dull, is actually wholeheartedly passionate and full of charm. Miyazaki depicts a perfect world for individuals willing to grow and change, it’s a world that I would like to live in because it is able to withstand all the difficulties and setbacks that the universe can throw at us.
