Arrietty is yet another visual delight from the talented folks at Studio Ghibli and is sure to be a crowd pleaser these school holidays for all the little folk with big imaginations.
Arrietty is based on Mary Norton's children's fantasy favourite The Borrowers which follows the adventures, and at times misadventures, of Arrietty and her family. Arrietty, her father Pod and her mother Homily belong to a race of little people who survive by borrowing everyday items and foodstuffs from humans. Arrietty and her family live in peaceful anonymity beneath the floorboards of a human household in rural Tokyo, borrowing what they need and keeping out of sight.
That is until the day that Sho, a young ailing boy, comes to stay at his great aunt's house to rest before an operation. Although Arrietty's mother and father have always warned that she should never let herself be seen by a human, on her first borrowing mission Arrietty is sighted by the young boy and drama unfolds.
Directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi this is yet another incredibly beautiful film from Studio Ghibli and you could be forgiven for thinking you were watching a moving work of art. Mixing minute attention to detail with wonderfully soft and delicate water colour-esque animation throughout the film I just wanted to jump in and live in the world of Arrietty (if you've ever watched any Studio Ghibli films you'll know that feeling all too well).
The animated cast have real life to them and the animators have successfully given them personalities and characters of their own. Even the moody cat has his own little disgruntled personality and there were many laughs to be had throughout the entire cinema as we reveled in the close calls and near misses of Sho, Arrietty and her borrower family.
As always there is the regulatory borderline-cheesy but always delightful theme tune and the score, composed by French musician Cécile Corbel, is beautiful and complements the animation wonderfully. All in all this is a very sweet and touching film that is sure to satisfy Studio Ghibli fans and convert the uninitiated and is a great one for the kids. Released nationally on 12 January 2012 this is a great film to take the kids to during these upcoming school holidays.
