Parents need to know that Hayao Miyazaki's classic anime adventure is an ideal film for the entire family. Unlike some of his other movies that feature some potentially frightening characters or disturbing scenes, this film is a sweet coming-of-age adventure. Kiki, the 13-year-old protagonist, is a lovely role model. Yes, she's a witch, but she's a good one who doesn't manifest her magical powers in any way but flying. There's some mild flirting and a couple of close calls while Kiki's in the air, but otherwise this is a positive pick that could be a family classic.
Educational value:Kiki teaches kids that they should appreciate their friendships and not treat people like outsiders. She also makes it clear that it's important to love what you do.
Positive messages:Some of the positive messages include keeping a positive outlook, being generous and helpful even when you don't have to be, valuing your family and friends, and staying true to your passions, whether it's art or baking or, in Kiki's case, flying. The movie also emphasizes that it's OK to occasionally feel out of sorts or second guess your talent, because everyone feels that way once in a while.
Positive role models:The young protagonist is a wonderful role model. Kiki's selfless and always so generous with her time, willing to help her friends and customers, and often refusing to be paid when she goes above the call of duty. She's also very sensitive and doesn't understand the petty and rude way some kids her age act. Toward the end of the movie, Kiki rises above her insecurities to help save her friend.
Violence & scariness:Kiki comes close to falling off her broom during a wind gust and ends up falling through trees in one scene. She later incurs the wrath of angry crows who think she's trying to steal their eggs. Kids afraid of storms will be worried for her and Jiji as they fly through a rainstorm. Tombo nearly plummets from a great height, but is saved before he's seriously injured.
Sexy stuff:Tombo continuously flirts with and expresses his interest in Kiki. He asks her on a date, calls her, and visits her several times. They ride a bicycle together, blush in each other's presence, and share one hug after a near-death experience. Jiji falls in love with a female cat who at first doesn't give him the time of day. By the end of the movie, Jiji and the cat have had kittens together.
As always what we love about Miyazaki movies is the breathtaking animation and the lovely kid-friendly stories. The pace of this movie is wonderful with huge sweeping landscapes that the characters move through which makes it easy to watch and not so frantically stimulating for younger kids. The story is very positive and the message is simple: believe in yourself and you can do pretty much anything. Throw in a bit of humor from the side kick cat and you've got a movie fun for both kids and adults!
I think this movie overall was ok. Very witchy - not in a fantasy sense. I think the part where the boy is falling and Kiki has to save him goes on for quite a whiles and is frightening - it is portrayed as an emergency scene with people running and screaming and sirens blaring as a blimp goes crashing into buildings etc ... my daughter and a friend (both 6) had eyes wide opened and seemed stressed watching this. In the end all is well, but do our children NEED to see terrifying images happening, I don't think so. All in all probably better than what's usually out ther - but not quite so harmless as say Strawberry Shortcake or Whinnie the pooh.
My whole family loved this movie about a young witch trying to get her career started when she's not sure what she's good at. My 6-year-old son especially loved the flying scenes -- Kiki on her sometimes uncontrollable broom, and even more fascinating her friend with his crazy homemade flying machines. Another charming import from Miyazaki! Like a lot of Miyazaki's heroines, Kiki is brave, resourceful, and always eager to help.
I have nothing to complain about. It's perfect. Kids will love it just as much as adults. It teaches the hardships in life and friendship as well as individuality. Kiki is sweet and a nice girl who has a difficult time fitting in since she's a witch living in a city without witches. That, and she meets other nice people who teach her a lot of useful information about herself. She has a bit of a romance with Tombo, but it stays more of a friendship in the film, but you can see it gets stronger in the credits. Unless a young man about to fall off a dirigible is really that scary (it is concerning, but more on a suspense factor), kids should be fine for it all. The Japanese version is better. (I've seen both) but the English voices make some of the characters sound a bit conceited and rude. Especially the witch after the opening credits. She is not nearly that rude as she is in the English.
Both my children, older and younger, love this movie. We usually watch this once a year, and it has never gotten old. It's a story that strikes chords in anyone who's ever felt out of place in the world. Great messages about how being different is okay, and how important friendship can be. It also shows what hard work and a good attitude can help a person achieve.
One warning: this movie, though obviously fantasy, does feature witches and witch powers in a real world style setting, and depending on pov may not be appropriate for your household.
No violence or scariness in this movie. One scene where Kiki and Tombo nearly fall, but ends quickly and well. Kiki is a kind girl and always willing to help others. She learns from Tombo that strange people can be very nice once you get to know them, and to never doubt yourself.
Personally, I loved this movie as a child-perhaps a little too much, ha-ha! It was a favorite for both myself &my grandmother (she actually thought it was super cute, &made me a plain purple dress just like Kiki's!).
Witch's Delivery Service (AKA Kiki's Delivery Service) was a good movie, family-friendly, &really cute! It's a movie children can watch &enjoy, as well as older kids/teens/adults. It was a cute story, &great (as most of Studio Ghibli's films).
It's a really funny and cool movie. Towards the end there is a scary part (a near fall) but everything turns out okay. It's not scary hardly at all. It has a lot of magical stuff in it like talking cats and witches.