Kiki's Delivery Service

Thia is actually terrific for children 3 plus and adults. The Japanese Graphics are a wonder to behold. It is a delightfully entertaining one to watch over and over. Sure a welcome break from the usual Hollywood fare. By the famous Japanese director Hayo Miyazaki. If you liked the Manga comics when you were growing up you'll love this. So refreshing.

This is a wonderful coming-of-age, child independence film from Japanese genius studio Ghibli (Spirited Away is probably their most famous film in the west) about a young girl. The premise: Kiki is a witch with no witchy skills beyond being able to fly on her broomstick. As per witch custom, she needs to leave home at 13 years of age, and fly off to a town where there are no other witches living, and make her way herself. Kiki is a charming, innocent character who makes her way by helping people, and offering a broomstick delivery service, making friends and having adventures as she goes. The setting is kind of northern Italy in the early 20th century, or a bit southern Austrian - not Japan, anyway. But the animation and the story, the flying and the train scenes and the big ending when she saves her friend, and her character - and amusing cat - make this a big hit with all the little girls and boys I know. My daughter loved this film at 2 years old but I am putting it in the slightly older bracket as I think it is meant for slightly older children.