One of the most positive and feel good children movies I have seen. Kiki's Delivery Service is one of Miyazaki's works that I have seen beside Princess Mononoke and Totoro. I have to say that this one is easily my favorite. The movie centers on a young witch who must leave her home for one year and do some training by herself in another town or city not occupied by a witch. Each witch is supposed to develop her special skill but Kiki really doesn't have a skill. She only has one and that is flying. To make a long story short, Kiki forms her own delivery service. Along with her smart-alek black cat, Gigi, Kiki learns lessons about love, friendship, trust, people and self-esteem. My oh my, ALL of those lessons in just one movie? It's too good to be true!

That's the first point I wanted to make about Kiki. It's a very important movie. Not only is it entertaining but also it provides children with a whole lotta positive messages about everything. The movie's strength is definitely the characters. They aren't irritating like those characters from My Neighbor Totoro and the scenes from this movie aren't as corny or as eye rolling as Totoro either. (Kiki can get a bit overly sweet but it's nothing too bad.) I especially love the cat. Gigi provides some great comic relief.

Oh, I should mention the English voices. They're great! (And so is Frosted Flakes! lame pun intended.) Anyway, Kiki's voice by Kristen Dunst is right on. Gigi's voice is possibly the smartest decision of voice casting I have heard. The late Phil Hartman voices Gigi. He adds so much personality and character to Gigi that it is fantastic. Everyone else's voices are pretty much spot-on, with no overacting or under acting that I could find. The music is also very nice. I received the impression that Kiki was supposed to take place around the 50's or so and the music really made me feel like I was in Kiki's world. The opening and closing music is really nice too. I especially like "Soaring" by Sydney Forest. It's fits the movie so well. The animation and art is gorgeous too. Character design is great. (Gigi is so cute!)

The dramatic and breathtaking views of Kiki flying her broom over a city or town also add to the atmosphere. The dialogue is very believable and every character has quite a bit of depth. Some people may have problems with this, particularly the younger ones. Kiki is pretty slow, that is very slow paced and relaxing, with no action to speak of. This movie focuses on the development on Kiki, rather than the plot. Some younger kids used to cartoons with action and excitement may be disappointed, I even found myself getting a little tired at some of the slower parts.

It's a real shame that I can't sit through a movie that doesn't involve some kind of shooting or violence anymore. (WHERE has my ATTENTION span gone??? Hey is that a flying monkey?) I'm a teenager and I am usually good a sitting through movies without action, and mind you, Kiki is very entertaining, I just think little kids might not appreciate it as much as they could. It's more of a relaxing and easygoing movie than action packed. Kiki is suitable for everyone but I don't think little kids will appreciate it as much as they could. This movie is however, perfect for ages 8 to adult. They will be able to pick up the positive messages about independence and friendship. The plot may be rather simple and it doesn't have anything to do with saving the world and there aren't any bad guys. Kiki takes a look at the life of one little girl and her struggle to be independent. Anyway, Kiki's Delivery Service is a great story with beautiful animation, great character development, wonderful messages and it's a truly magical movie for everyone. I love it!