Kiki's Delivery Service (DVD, 2010, 2-Disc Set, Special Edition)

Set in a time when airships still ruled the skies and World War II never happened, KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE is a coming-of-age tale that explores the difficulties of being a young witch. On her thirteenth birthday, budding witch Kiki is in a hurry to leave her family and establish her independence. With only her talking pet cat as a companion, Kiki is attracted to the bright lights of a beautiful port city, but finds that making friends is not easy. Using her skill at riding a broom to start an express delivery service, Kiki quickly discovers that she cannot take her unique abilities for granted. The film is based on the book MAJO NO TAKKYUBIN by Eiko Kadono, a Japanese writer of children's books; the title literally means "Witch's Special Express Delivery." Like Miyazaki's MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO, KIKI is languidly paced--the better to appreciate the level of detail of the film's animation. KIKI differs from the typical "witch" film, like THE CRAFT: Kiki's abilities serve not as a symbol for evil or for ultimate power, but for the talents that lie within the reach of every girl. The film was dubbed in English by several prominent actors, including Kirsten Dunst, Phil Hartman, Janeane Garofalo, and Debbie Reynolds.