The Secret World of Arrietty

I saw “The Borrowers” as a teen and was impressed by the special effects and story. This animated adaptation of the book was quite unique. I have seen “Grave of the Fireflies”, “My Neighbor Totoro”, and “Princess Mononoke” over the past ten years from Oscar-winning Studio Ghibli and I was glad that “The Secret World of Arrietty” was a lot like “Totoro” in terms of its story and target age group. Studio Ghibli has created its own kind of anime that is not as energy driven as that from other Japanese animation studios. The film is slow moving as I was expecting which requires the design, music and characters to be the main elements. I was very impressed by what I saw and heard while watching the movie.

The detail in the film’s design is extremely noteworthy. It is amazing that such is possible financially in a 2D animated film. Every background was a work of art. The animation of water in the film really sells the size of the Borrowers. The popular characteristics of the anime genre that took off in the 1960’s with the TV series “Astroboy” were ironically not meant to be permanent. Animator Osamu Tezuka was only trying to replicate Disney animation on a limited budget and with inexperienced animators. While many anime qualities are still apparent today such as characters remaining quite motionless as they talk, Studio Ghibli takes the anime look and applies it effectively to rich and detailed settings in their films. “The Secret World of Arrietty” is a perfect example. It is also cool how computer animation is incorporated while still retaining the known qualities of anime. Character animation was also superb. The character of Pod was interesting. I was expecting him to be stern and cross considering his design but he ends up being loving and hardworking. In the American dub, Will Arnett did very well as the voice of Pod considering the fact that is it quite a dramatic role. The same can be said for Carol Burnett as Haru. Burnett is able to comedic but not overly so. The sound work in the movie was very impressive and as the end credits began to roll, it became obvious why. Gary Rydstrom, who is a seven time Oscar-winning sound designer, was the director of the American language version of the movie. He has worked on such films as “Titanic”, “Saving Private Ryan” and “Toy Story”. One of the best moments is when Sho gives the Borrowers a new kitchen. The sound work makes the scene quite frightning at first but then the mood becomes humorous. I love how we only see Sho’s hand as he gives them a kitchen and puts a couch behind Homily so she won’t fall on the ground fainting. The sound on this movie combined with the quality of animation that Studio Ghibli is known for made “The Secret World of Arrietty” very beautiful. I noticed that the story has been adapted for a Japanese audience. Happy, resolving endings are not all that expected by the Japanese. Honorable sacrifice is well-used theme. The American version however incorporates narration at the beginning and end so as to appease a western audience’s desire for resolve. Because of this American ending, Sho is revealed to have lived through his operation and the Borrowers have made a new home down the road.

The best quality of “The Secret World of Arrietty” is its design, animation and sound. I believed the world that was created. I felt the drama of characters meeting and conversing. In a day when many animated films are designed to make money, it is good that Disney and Studio Ghibli still put priority on creating works of art on the movie screen that can be enjoyed now and in decades to come.

3.5 Stars