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KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE (2018)

Studio Ghibli's deluxe Kiki's Delivery Service DVD set is a treasure trove of magical proportions. This deeply amusing, Miyazaki classic captures your soul with its bewitching aerial perspective of Kiki's neighborhood. Kiki's Delivery Service was released in 1989 in Japan and 1990 in the U.S.A. It was bestowed a variety of awards, including Most Popular Feature at the 1990 Japanese Academy Awards.

Kiki's Delivery Service tells the story of a young girl, Kiki, who was born into a family of witches. At the age of 13, all witches must fly away from the nest for a certain extended period of time. This tradition is aimed to strengthen the witch's powers and make them more independent. On Kiki's journey, she ends up in a magnificent town in which no other witches live. At first, she has a hard time coping with the vastness of the town, but learns to be grateful when a bakery owner offers her attic for rent. Kiki makes a deal with the owner that if she delivers their goods via broomstick and does random chores around the shop she can work out of their attic rent free, with a bonus free breakfast. Thus, Kiki's delivery service is formed.

The DVD set includes two discs, a Blu-Ray and a standard DVD. It also includes a multitude of captivating bonus features, such as Feature Length Storyboards; Behind the Microphone; Creating Kiki's Delivery Service; Kiki and Jiji; Flying With Kiki; Producer's Perspective: Collaborating with Miyazaki; The Locations of Kiki's Delivery Service; Ursula's Painting; Original Theatrical Trailers; and even an exclusive booklet with statements from the filmmakers.

One of the best bonus features is Creating Kiki's Delivery Service, where we learn lots of wonderful inside information about the making of this film. Miyazaki tells how he wasn't originally the director for the film because all the creatives, including the director and screenwriter, had already been selected. Miyazaki expresses that he enjoyed making the time period vague in contrast with the artwork of the film. Miyazaki discloses that Kiki's Delivery Service was influenced by many cities including Stockholm, Ireland, San Francisco, Paris and a town in Italy. He later explains that Kiki's town was modeled after a charming, old town called Visby, in Sweden.

This enchanting Kiki's Delivery Service DVD archive is the most incredible thing since sliced bread. I give it at 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 7 to 18.

Reviewed by Clayton P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 18

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From the legendary Studio Ghibli, creators of Spirited Away and Ponyo, and Academy Award®-winning* director Hayao Miyazaki, comes the beloved coming-of-age story of a resourceful young witch who uses her broom to create a delivery service, only to lose her gift of flight in a moment of self-doubt. It is a tradition for all young witches to leave their families on the night of a full moon and fly off into the wide world to learn their craft. When that night comes for Kiki, she embarks on her new journey with her sarcastic black cat, Jiji, landing the next morning in a seaside village, where her unique skills make her an instant sensation. Don't miss this delightfully imaginative and timeless story of a young girl finding her way in the world, featuring the voices of Kirsten Dunst, Janeane Garofalo, Phil Hartman, and Debbie Reynolds.