Kiki's Delivery Service (Majo no takkyûbin)

Release Year: 1989

Director: Hayao Miyazaki

Review:  The themes in 'Kiki's Delivery Service' are much different than in most other Miyazaki films.  There are no epic tones, or overly whimsical fantasy sequences, but instead a much simpler, straight forward coming of age story.  A young witch goes out on her own to figure out her career and mature.  It's a premise that has been told many times before, but a new fresh look at it through the eyes of a teenage witch.

While its a pleasant film, it never really breaks out and goes for more than the obvious.  It felt more like a really well made saturday morning cartoon, rather than a Miyazaki feature.  There were a series of smaller adventures stitched together into a larger story and really seemed to lack conflict.  To be sure, it was a well told story with strong themes of coming of age and maturing, but it lacks the Miyzaki spirit which propels his films into a higher echelon of animation.  Its enjoyable, but not essential.
Rating: 3/5