"The Secret World of Arrietty" is a nice little film from Studio Ghibli--one that is a bit different in style from most of the Ghibli releases. What I mean by that is that the pace is quite relaxed. While nothing that traumatic or exciting happens here, it is all good gentle fun.

The film is based on the 1952 novel by Mary Norton. However, it is not the entire book--more like a snippet that occurs in the movie. It's the story of a family of VERY tiny people who live hidden among the world of humans. The story begins with a sickly boy moving to his great aunt's home. He sees one of the Borrowers, Arrietty, as she sneaks across the yard. Later, he sees her again as she and her father are sneaking about the home looking for some sugar. As for the boy, he's very nice and has no intention of doing anything to hurt these tiny people--but unfortunately there is an insane housekeeper who is bent on catching them--sort of like the way Gargamel acts around the Smurfs! Other than the nice gentle pacing, what I loved about the film was the great music. This music, combined with exceptional animation made for a very memorable and enjoyable experience. Well worth your time.

By the way, the Disney DVD allows you to see it in English language dubbed or Japanese subtitles--which I chose. However, my daughter listened to the Japanese with me and said that the subtitles were NOT literal but some liberties were taken with the translation.

Studio Ghibli have been responsible for some of my favourite animated movies, especially Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, Grave of the Fireflies, Castle in the Sky and My Neighbour Totoro. In fact I haven't seen a Ghibli I dislike, even their weakest Tales from Earthsea while problematic is worth a viewing. Arietty is not one of Ghibli's best, but that doesn't stop it from being a truly charming film. As with all Studio Ghibli's work, the visuals are stunning, with the colours especially having such an ethereal quality to them, and the music has a pleasant Celtic lilt making the movie even more beautiful than it already is. The script amused and touched me, and the storytelling doesn't rely on wisecracks and action(not that it's a bad thing as such) but instead it is subtle and gentle with a lot of charm and heart, letting us bond emotionally with the characters and their world. True, the ending is a little bittersweet, but considering the storytelling it worked I felt. The characters, especially Arietty, are likable and engaging, and the voice work is terrific, the standouts being Olivia Colman, Geraldine McEwan, Mark Strong and very talented child actress Saoirse Ronan. Overall, a very charming film. 9/10 Bethany Cox

A straight-up adaptation of Mary Norton's classic children's book THE BORROWERS, made by the superlative Japanese Studio Ghibli. This has all of the elements we've come to expect from our Ghibli movies, such as excellent production values and wonderful animation, all combined with emotion and heart that makes their movies difficult to dislike.

And, indeed, ARRIETTY is such a film. The story is simplicity in itself, an action-orientated tale about the adventures that arise when a hidden family of 'little people' living beneath the floorboards come into contact with humankind for the first time. It's straightforward, with readily-realised characters and few twist and turns. And yet it's eminently watchable thanks to the decent voice acting and the way that emotions are readily identifiable.

The story may be a little too saccharine for all tastes, but I find this sort of material to be much more honest and realistic than the shove-it-in-your-face sentimentality of a rival Disney-made movie. Just make sure you avoid the Disney dub and watch the subtitled version instead!