The Secret World of Arrietty

The Secret World of Arrietty is a 2010 animated movie, based on Mary Norton's novel The Borrowers. The film is directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi and produced by Studio Ghibli. The movie is a heartwarming story of a 14-year-old girl, Arrietty Clock, who lives with her family in the walls of a human house, borrowing what they need to survive. This is a fantastic, adventurous, and emotional story that will captivate audiences of all ages.

The movie starts with a boy named Sho, who has come to the countryside to stay with his aunt for medical treatment. Sho is a sickly child, with a heart condition, and he frequently struggles to breathe. One day, while exploring the house's garden, he spots a tiny figure moving in the grass. Curious, he follows the figure, and soon he discovers Arrietty and her family, who are borrowers; they live in the house's walls and borrow things like sugar cubes and tissue paper from the humans.

Arrietty's family are wary of humans and are convinced that they can never coexist. However, Arrietty is fascinated by humans and yearns to explore their world. When Sho comes into her life, she sees an opportunity to explore the world of humans but doesn't realize the danger it may bring to her beloved family.

As Sho and Arrietty's friendship grows, and he tries to help her family, they must confront the obstacles that threaten their happy existence. Sho's aunt has hired a housekeeper, Hara, who is on a never-ending quest to catch the tree-dwelling borrowers. Arrietty's father, Pod, has always warned her that borrowing from humans would lead to trouble, but Arrietty can't resist Sho's kindness and friendship.

Arrietty is an independent spirit with a strong will, yet she's also gentle and kind-hearted, with a thirst for adventure. Amy Poehler voices her character excellently, bringing forth the little girl's lively personality. Will Arnett gives a voice to Arrietty's father, Pod, who is fiercely protective of his family but is warm and caring when needed. Mirai Shida is the Japanese voice actor for Arrietty, and she brings Arrietty's character to life with sweetness, intelligence, and determination.

The incredible animation and attention to detail added to the movie make it incredibly immersive. The animation's depth and texture capture the warmth and nuances of household objects and how little creatures can make good use of them. The characters are tiny, which makes it all the more impressive when they are surrounded by everyday household objects, and the ability to evoke emotion with such small creatures is a feat in itself.

The film's score by French composer Cécile Corbel adds depth and beauty to the animation. The movie's memorable tracks include a vocal version of 'Arrietty's song' used several times throughout the film, with stunning background music; this elevates the latter parts of the movie emotionally. The brilliant music works to extend the emotions shown on screen and convey Arrietty's soulful hopes and dreams.

In conclusion, The Secret World of Arrietty is a beautifully crafted and breathtaking movie that is worth seeing. The storytelling is sincere, relatable, and powerful, brought to life with attention to detail, the fantastic animation, and memorable music. It's an enchanting tale of friendship and determination, layered with heartwarming adventures that audiences of all ages will love to watch. So, if you're looking for a family-friendly movie, The Secret World of Arrietty ticks all the boxes.