Bullet-Point Preview: The Secret World of Arrietty (movie)

I saw a preview screening of the animated feature, The Secret World of Arrietty, this weekend. The film was created by the Japan-based Studio Ghibli and releases by Disney with English language dialogue. It’s another tale based on a series of books by Mary Norton titled The Borrowers published in the 1950s and ’60s. This version got a Hayao Miyazaki makeover.

The Borrowers are tiny people who live in the nooks and crannies of larger people’s – called Beans – homes. They survive by borrowing only hat they need and trying to stay out of sight. This version features 14-year-old Arrietty who goes on her first “borrowing” with her father, learning to overcome obstacles we big Beans never even worry about.

In this bullet-point preview of Arrietty I offer my usual, slightly enigmatic and spoiler-free preview of the film. Come back to Gamertell when the film is officially released in theaters and I’ll post a full review.

• Voices include: Bridgit Mendler, Amy Poehler, Carol Burnett and Will Arnett.
• No John Goodman or af-faux hairstyles.
• It is not a musical.
• It is sweetness cubed. But not too sappy.
• Bits of Japanese but not so much that you won’t get the humor.
• Look at every detail (you’ll have plenty of time).
• Drink in the water drops.
• Enjoy nature.
• Very family friendly.
• (No “death by foot.”)
• Plenty of places for potty breaks.
• Grannies be crazies. (Or are they?)
• Miazaki sure loves animal skin capes.
• The pin is mightier…
• A basil leaf lasts how long!?
• Don’t Spiller the Beans. (Miso punny).
• Cats aren’t all bad.
• Borrowers aren’t dolls.
• Mom loves pot. And Pan.
• Walk gently and sweep your floor a little less often.

Site [Arrietty @ Disney]