Majo no Takkyubin (Kiki's Delivery Service)

News articles 3

 
30) Buena Vista Home Entertainment Press Release, January 7, 1999.
31) Billboard, February 6, 1999.

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30) Buena Vista Home Entertainment Press Release, January 7, 1999.

The Critically Acclaimed and Magical "Kiki's Delivery Service" Named Entertainment Weekly's `Video of the Year'

BURBANK, Calif.--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Jan. 7, 1999--One of the most highly acclaimed international animated films of all time, "Kiki's Delivery Service," continues to receive many accolades and honors long after its September 1998 home video debut in North America.

Applauded by Entertainment Weekly as "the purest home-viewing enjoyment" and "simply astounding" visually, the magazine named "Kiki's Delivery Service" VIDEO OF THE YEAR for 1998. Additionally, "Kiki's Delivery Service" topped Time Out New York's "The Best" list for the year in video.

A heartwarming, family film created by legendary Japanese animation director Hayao Miyazaki, "Kiki's Delivery Service" was singled out by The Orange County Register as "one of the most charming and enchanting films of the year."

Incorporating a celebrity vocal ensemble of high "flying" proportions, "Kiki's Delivery Service" features Hollywood teenage sensation Kirsten Dunst as the voice of the spunky, independent witch named Kiki, and Matthew Lawrence as her inventive and energetic friend Tombo.

Adding additional "spirit" to the all-star cast are the late Phil Hartman as Kiki's hilarious black cat Jiji; Hollywood legend Debbie Reynolds as the caring grandmother figure Madame; and comedienne Janeane Garofalo as Kiki's quirky 20-something friend Ursula.

A delightful coming-of-age tale of an independent, young "good" witch name Kiki, "Kiki's Delivery Service" is priced at a collectible $19.99 (SRP).

"Kiki's Delivery Service" is rated G by the Motion Picture Association of America and has a running time of 104 minutes. It is presented in digitally mastered, hi-fi stereo, surround sound and is closed-captioned for the hearing impaired.

Buena Vista Home Entertainment is the recognized industry leader for 11 consecutive years.

Note to Editors: To request artwork or press materials on the film, call the BVHE hotline at 818/295-4609.

Contact:
Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Burbank
Martin Blythe, 818/295-4620

31) Billboard, February 6, 1999.

Child's Play^TM

A regular column by Moira McCormick

(Story about video release of "Babe: Pig In The City" omitted)

SPECIAL 'DELIVERY': One of the most gratifying kid-vid success stories of 1998 was that of Buena Vista Home Entertainment's "Kiki's Delivery Service," the story of a junior witch-in-training (voiced by Kirsten Dunst) and her dryly witty cat familiar (Phil Hartman).

This thoroughly enchanting animated feature by Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki, creator of 1988's exquisite "My Neighbor Totoro," was both critically lauded and well-received commercially, unusual for a title with no familiar movie or TV characters and no licensing tie-ins. "Delivery" has been a word-of-mouth success.

"To some degree, the lack of awareness gave 'Kiki' underground status," says Buena Vista spokeman {sic} Martin Blythe, who notes that the feature never had a theatrical release. "It was something of a stealth candidate, which has now translated into a wonderful surprise for consumers and press, who always appreciate [an underdog]."

Blythe says Buena Vista is "very happy with the sales figures. They're not at 'The Lion King II: Simba's Pride' levels, but 'Kiki' looks to have a good future when we re-promote it," he adds.

"Kiki's Delivery Service" has done so well, in fact, that Buena Vista's next Miyazaki release, "Castle In The Sky," may get theatrical consideration. "We've been toying the possibility," Blythe adds.

(Story about Disney's rerelease of "101 Dalmatians" omitted)