As promised, some musings on Kiki's Delivery Service.
The film is aimed at children, it seems, so the trope of many anime fanatics doesn't work in talking about it. That is, you can't claim it's for mature audiences and thus revolutionizes our narrow U.S. concepts about the potential of animation.
But that doesn't mean the movie is less inspired, or particularly similar to children's movies made by the Mouse House (who at least had the courtesy to buy up Miyazaki-san's work for worldwide release).
Kiki, the story of a young witch making it on her own in a new city, is an eloquent and touching story about growing up. It has an exciting dirigible crash, humor based on its characters, and a plot that doesn't go the way one would expect. Add to that a memorable score and pristine animation, and you have a little jewel of a movie.
Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of the film -- if not the most obvious one -- is that it's an alternate universe tale. Miyazaki sets it in 1950s Europe, but a 1950s Europe in which World War II never happened and where witches roam free.
It sounds strange, but it's handled with grace, delicacy, and the firm touch of experience.
I watched the English dub, which features an excellent performance by Kursten Dunst as Kiki, and an intermittently funny one by Phil Hartman as her pet cat (the dub was recorded in 1998).
Hartman's performance is too talky, though, and winds up changing the feel of the movie. I watched a chunk of the film in the original Japanese, and it's a much quieter -- and more powerful -- experience.
Still, the DVD gives you the option of watching either version, and they both have their charms.
It's difficult to write about Miyazaki in a coherent way. Do a web search about him and his films, and you'll find a lot of enthusiasm. You won't find much cogent writing about why his movies work the way they do.
They stir emotions that most movies don't consider. They combine images and story in a way that suggests abstract art more than a Disney opus. And they share an ultimate optimism about humanity that is too often difficult to muster in these times.
That being said, Kiki may not be the best Miyazaki movie to start with if you've never sampled his work. I'd try Spirited Away or Castle In The Sky, both available on DVD, first. Then move on to his other films.
More Miyazaki information:
Studio Ghibli (where he makes his movies).
The U.S. DVDs (released a couple of weeks ago).
More Anime information:
AnimeNation.