Kiki's Delivery Service Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Kiki's Delivery Service" boasts an impressive 1080p/AVC-encoded video presentation that remains true to Hayao Miyazaki's original artistic vision. Presented in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, the transfer benefits from meticulous cleaning of the film's source elements, yet eschews any overly aggressive noise reduction, artificial sharpening, or color manipulation. This results in an image that preserves the film's authentic character. The palette is soft and subdued, maintaining the warm and airy feel characteristic of Miyazaki's work. Animation lines are well-defined, background textures and brushstrokes remain unblemished, and the overall detail is commendably high. Minor print nicks and scratches are present but not distracting, and only minimal macroblocking and banding issues are discernible.

Disney’s handling of this release respects the film's heritage by preserving its filmic qualities without entering what can be termed a "digital car wash." Grain structure remains intact, enhancing the hand-drawn animation’s natural aesthetic, while the color rendition stays true to the original. The hues are appropriately warm without being overly vivid, contributing to the film’s endearing ambiance. Black levels are consistently deep and inky, further anchoring the visual quality. There are minute artifacts visible in specific sections, such as around the English title on the bakery sign and at the end of Kiki’s letter, but these are negligible and stem from changes made for U.S. theatrical release. Overall, this video presentation stands out as a nearly flawless representation of a beloved animated classic.

Disney's Blu-ray release of "Kiki's Delivery Service" offers impressive lossless audio options with both English and Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 tracks, along with a French Dolby Digital 2.0 track. Each track is expertly mixed and presented without any issues, ensuring a seamless auditory experience. The dialogue is clear and intelligible, maintaining prioritization and balance throughout. Sound effects and Joe Hisaishi’s score resonate wonderfully, especially during action sequences such as broom-flying and rescues, sounding better than ever.

Notably, the ambient noises are robust and full, which ensures a wide dynamic range and excellent overall sound quality. The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 conveys an engaging and comprehensive audio experience, with excellent LFE performance that enriches the heavier adventure scenes. While there's a slight preference among purists for the original Japanese track, the English dub, featuring A-List actors, provides emotional depth and quality voice acting.

Overall, both the English and Japanese tracks deliver top-notch audio quality, leaving this Blu-ray release without major disappointments. The inclusion of Disney's English dubtitles instead of a more literal subtitle translation may bother some purists, but it does not detract from the stellar audio presentation that this release offers.

The Blu-ray extras for "Kiki's Delivery Service" provide a comprehensive delve into the film's development and production, featuring high-definition content that ranges from insightful interviews to original storyboards. Viewers gain an in-depth understanding of Hayao Miyazaki's creative decisions and techniques, the musical composition by Joe Hisaishi, and the collaborative dynamics between Miyazaki and producer Toshio Suzuki. Distinct highlights include a thorough look at the real-world locations inspiring the film’s settings, as well as engaging behind-the-scenes anecdotes from voice actors. The collection includes both new high-definition features and valuable legacy content from previous DVD releases, ensuring a rich, multifaceted viewing experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• Original Japanese Storyboards: Watch the entire film with original Japanese storyboards.
• Creating Kiki's Delivery Service: Miyazaki discusses stepping in as director.
• Kiki & Jiji: Insights into the movie's origin and character design.
• Flying with Kiki & Beyond: Challenges of animating broomstick flight.
• Producer's Perspective: Collaborating with Miyazaki: Suzuki on working with Miyazaki.
• The Locations of Kiki: Japanese documentary on real-world inspirations.
• Scoring Miyazaki: Joe Hisaishi on composing music for Ghibli films.
• Behind the Microphone: Voice actors discuss their roles.
• Introduction: John Lasseter’s introduction from the original DVD.
• Ursula's Painting: The origin of Ursula’s painting.
• Original Japanese Trailers & TV Spots: Collection of original promotional material.

Hayao Miyazaki's "Kiki's Delivery Service" stands out as a quintessential coming-of-age story, imbued with a delicate balance of charm, magic, and reality. Centered around a thirteen-year-old apprentice witch named Kiki, the narrative explores her year-long quest for self-discovery and independence. Accompanied by her talking cat Jiji, voiced memorably by Phil Hartman in the English dub, Kiki lands in a picturesque seaside town reminiscent of a blend of Swedish, American, German, and Italian architecture. Here, she sets up a delivery service with the aid of a kindly baker couple. The film forgoes fantastical elements typical of witch stories, opting instead for ordinary teenage struggles like forming new friendships and grappling with insecurities. Kiki's interactions with a spectrum of characters — an artist, a boy named Tombo, and various townsfolk — significantly contribute to her personal growth.

Miyazaki masterfully crafts a world where vast cultural and historical differences effortlessly coexist in a quasi-alternate reality devoid of major 20th-century wars. This backdrop provides a tranquil yet dynamic setting for Kiki's adventures. Rather than succumbing to grandiose plots or high-stakes drama, the film focuses on Kiki's everyday misadventures, which range from losing her magic to overcoming a cold. Each trial brings invaluable life lessons, taught subtly through her interactions with three women at different life stages. Kirsten Dunst's portrayal of Kiki and Janeane Garofalo's role as Ursula further elevate the film's emotional resonance.

"Kiki's Delivery Service" might appear deceptively small-scale or mundane, but its beauty lies in the simplicity and relatability of Kiki's journey. Miyazaki's storytelling and animation give life to an ordinary girl on an extraordinary path to adulthood. It’s a refreshing departure from typical adolescence tales filled with angst and heroics, emphasizing instead the quiet triumphs of self-reliance, confidence, and personal growth. The result is a timeless film that captivates audiences of all ages with its tender portrayal of growing up.

"Kiki's Delivery Service," originally released in 1989, remains a timeless gem that continues to enchant audiences with its heartwarming tale and vibrant animation. The Blu-ray release by Disney does justice to this classic Studio Ghibli film, offering an impressive video presentation that preserves the original integrity and charm of the animation. The transfer is crisp and clear, with rich colors that make the whimsical world of Kiki come alive. Both English and Japanese lossless audio tracks are thoroughly immersive, enhancing the viewing experience by maintaining the original sound design while providing clear dialogues and sound effects.

The narrative of "Kiki's Delivery Service" is simple yet profoundly engaging, depicting the adventures of a young witch named Kiki as she strives to find her place in the world. This film is noteworthy not only for its beautiful animation and compelling storyline but also for its universal themes of growth, independence, and self-discovery. Kiki's journey is presented with such grace and sincerity that it resonates with viewers of all ages. The character development is subtle yet effective, ensuring that the audience remains fully invested in Kiki's experiences.

Disney’s Blu-ray release comes loaded with an impressive array of special features that provide further insights into the making of this unique film. These extras include storyboards, documentaries, and interviews that are both informative and entertaining. They add significant value to the Blu-ray, making it a worthwhile purchase for both long-time fans and newcomers alike. The supplementary material offers a deeper appreciation for the artistry and effort that went into creating this beloved animated feature.

For a film first released in 1989, "Kiki's Delivery Service" is a breath of fresh air. Unafraid to tell a simple story simply, it tiptoes along without a care in the world, yet still manages to make a lasting impression. Disney's Blu-ray release is excellent too, with a faithful video presentation, solid English and Japanese lossless audio tracks, and a decent selection of special features. If you've yet to meet Kiki, prepare to be pleasantly surprised.