This is a beautifully animated story with a simple plot and characters that could've been developed further. This movie is a bit entertaining, but I'm in no hurry to watch it again.

It was a really good film but I wouldn't consider it one of the best because it's like it's stolen from the fairytale story Thumbelina. Also you knew well what happened next like really, this movie is in my opinion, targeted to only children. If adults are watching this, prepare for a bit of disappointment.I have to admit, some scenes were scary to watch like that crazy maid destroying the little people's house and locking the boys door as if he was Cinderalla. I have nothing much to say about this movie but it just didn't flatter me throughout just watching the rest!

The Secret World of Arrietty (2010): Dir: Hiromasa Yonebayashi / Voices: Bridgit Mendler, David Henrie, Will Arnett, Amy Pohler, Carol Burnett: Gloriously beautiful Japanese animation about the overwhelming world inhabited by little people known as borrowers. Shawn is a teenager with a heart condition sent to live with his great aunt and her scheming housekeeper. He knows about the borrowers and establishes a friendship with teenage Arrietty who is anxious for her first borrowing experience. When the people are asleep, her father leads the mission that involves high staking climbs for sugar cubes and tissue. They struggle to avoid being seen by humans because it threatens their existence and that is the one problem with the film. Its conclusion leaves the impression that these borrowers cannot co-exist with humans but one gets the impression that things could have worked reasonably with Shawn and his aunt. Directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi and released in Japan in 2010 before making a UK transfer in 2011. Finally it receives an American release complete with new voice overs that work. Bridgit Mendler voices the heroic Arrietty who braves the impossible. David Henrie voices Shawn whom she comes to understand and connect with. Will Arnett and Amy Pohler voice the parents who worry about their daughter. Even Carol Burnett lends her voice to the American dubbing of this film. Strong theme regarding family and friendship but its best element is the stunning animation full of gorgeous detail that heightens Arrietty's world in full blown awe. Score: 9 / 10

Affectionately crafted, mesmerisingly told & gorgeously photographed, The Secret World of Arrietty (simply known as Arrietty) is quite possibly the best Studio Ghibli feature-length film that wasn't directed by Hayao Miyazaki. A masterwork of staggering beauty, it is undoubtedly one of the most enchanting works of animation to surface on the film canvas.Based on the children's book The Borrowers by Mary Norton, the story of Arrietty concerns its titular character & her family; a group of tiny people on the brink of extinction who live anonymously in human residents & have made their home by borrowing simple items from their households. But things are set in motion when Arrietty is discovered by a human boy.Co-written by Hayao Miyazaki & directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi in what is his directional debut, Arrietty exhibits an astonishing level of craftsmanship from the first frame to the last plus the fully-realised world of borrowers is brought to life with remarkable care, intimacy & attention to detail. All the characters here are well-defined & the voice cast is wisely chosen as well.The hand-drawn animation is brilliantly executed for Arrietty is one of Studio Ghibli's most colourful works & makes vibrant use of colour palette, resulting in every frame being finely balanced in both hues & textures. Editing is smartly carried out too for the story unfolds in an elegant, smooth manner & showcases an excellent sense of pacing throughout its 95 minutes of runtime.And last but not the least is the background score by Cécile Corbel that turned this already wonderful cinematic experience into an even more delightful, heartwarming & enriching one. Music has the ability to make or break a film for it is the soul of most narratives and in case of Arrietty, the flavours, heart, warmth & magic its storyline resonates all the time has a lot to do with this very aspect.On an overall scale, The Secret World of Arrietty is a spellbinding work of its genre that has a very sweet, tender & graceful quality about it and is a cinematic delight for viewers of all ages. Plus, for a first time director, it's an extremely impressive start & it's gonna be really interesting to see where he goes from here. Another fabulous piece of fantasy from Studio Ghibli that's enjoyable, entertaining, emotionally fulfilling & effortlessly relatable, Arrietty comes highly recommended.