Rachael's Movie Review: THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY

I have to be honest, I haven't consumed a lot of anime or anime-inspired properties. It's one avenue of entertainment I have never been all that keen to wander down. I wasn't sure if this would help or hinder my enjoyment of The Secret World of Arrietty, but in the end I shouldn't have worried.

While I could see the influences of widely popular Japanese animation and storytelling, Disney and Studio Ghibli's animated tale stood firmly on its own legs with everything I look for in a movie I would want to take my nieces to see. Vocal talents from Bridgit Mendler, Amy Poehler & Will Arnett led the cast, and first time director Hiromasa Yonebayashi guided the story from start to finish with such smoothness that despite missing the first few minutes of the film (because of unforeseen transportation problems) I was easily drawn into Arrietty's secret, and magical, world.

The animation made beautiful a world composed of what we "beings" would never miss or would throw away. Detailed sound editing and musical arrangement were engaging; which worried me at first as I noticed that every step, every drip of liquid, every swaying piece of grass gave off its own unique sound. The theme song was haunting and even now, a few days later, I still hear it in my head.

The only frustration I felt was over the apparent Westernizing of the character. Being that I'm not a Studio Ghibli veteran, I'm not sure if this style is the status quo of of the animation powerhouse. For me, it broke some kind of fourth wall and I found it distracting rather than normalizing.

The film follows the classic story of The Borrowers. Miniature heroine Arrietty's obvious curiosity and enjoyment over the normal sized "beings" and their world was relatable for anyone eager to explore something unknown, and the loneliness of the human character she's meant to befriend from the outset is palpable. I greatly enjoyed their interaction, the poignant air of their story, and the sweeping beauty of the animated landscape Studio Ghibli has created. The Secret World of Arriety is a wonderful and whimsical escapist film, take your kids to see this it or go enjoy it for yourself. I doubt you'll be disappointed.