Kiki's Delivery Service

Once again, Hayao Miyazaki proves that there is magic in his animation. The more of his films I watch, the more I realize that as far as storytellers go, Miyazaki is almost second to none. This simple little tale tells of a young girl who is a witch in training, though the only magic she ever uses is her ability to fly on a broomstick. Once she reaches the age of 13, she must leave her home for a time and learn to live on her own in a whole new town. Kiki, like many Miyazaki protagonists is a good natured girl who seems to have a positive effect on everyone she comes in contact with. Soon she finds herself working as a delivery girl for a kind, pregnant baker. Her journey, she discovers, is to find the source of her inspiration -- that thing that gives her the ability to fly without even thinking about it. It's a magical, touching little film, the kind that I would have no problem raising my children on.