It is a well known fact that I am a huge Anime fan, so the fact that it took me so long to get down to writing this review. This most anticipated movie is as you probably guessed the new Hayao Miyazaki film Secret World of Arriety. This film is based on the novel “The Borrowers” by Mary Norton.
This film was aesthetically marvelous as all Studio Ghibli films are. The animation is never questioned when Miyazaki, Takahata, or studio Ghibli is involved. The real gem of this film is the story itself not a very happy one by any stretch of the imagination when compared to other Miyazaki films like Ponyo, Totoro, and Kiki’s Delivary Service yet nothing as intense as Takahata’s Grave of the Fireflies. In a nutshell to try and be as spoiler free as possible, the story is about a boy sent to his mothers childhood home because he is ill and will soon have surgery. One at this childhood home events unfold to take him on a journey of young love, conflict, lose, and growth.
To my friends with children or my guys with girlfriends I have recommended this movie highly because of the brilliant portrait painted of the two main characters separate family lives, the deep emotional connection and innocent relationship nurtured between them. To be a bit crass this movie will get the hunting male some secure footing for his endeavors, and the family man will have the kids attention sowed up and a fun romp for him and the Mizz.
To finish this movie was warm heart wrenching experience for me and I put this movie right along side Princess Mononoke, and Spirited Away. A must go see if at all possible and a definite Blu-ray purchase when it hits shelves. I hope you all enjoyed Big Bear’s choice of film and will heed my advice and pick up Arrietty so until next time
*lumbers into his den a haughty stride in his step if such a thing is possible for a bear*
Big Bear's Den 
Saw this film a few weeks ago, and it’s indeed pretty terrific. Proves that Studio Ghibli is in fine hands even with it’s not Miyazaki directing its films, his fingerprints are all over the studio’s DNA by now.
very very true makes me a bit nervous to think of what will happen when he and takahata finally do retire
The movies looked really good when I saw the ads. Now will defo have to take a watch! 🙂
it’s great I will have to do a post about Miyazaki sooner or later
I was planning on taking Abbie to see it for her birthday, as we’re both huge Studio Ghibli fans (she was even going to wear her Kiki the witch costume ^.^) … but I didn’t know how long it would be the theaters, and we missed it. 😦 So,I promised her the dvd the day it comes out, hehe.
it should still be at valleyview since they have 16 theaters though i can’t imagine the times
There’s something rather strange and magical that happens when Japanese manga mixes with a traditional British fairy tale type story. This looks like one to watch for me too. Thanks for the review Bear.
I need to read the original book my only experience with the borrowers is the old cartoons and movies