What a truly beautiful film, and whilst the passing of time may change my mind, it is quite possibly the best Studio Ghibli feature since Porco Rosso.

Studio Ghibli are arguably the greatest world builders in all of cinema and despite the real world setting of Arrietty the film still creates a genuinely magical environment for the characters to reside in. I've never liked The Borrowers be it book, TV or film but the scale, attention to detail and sheer sense of wonder conveyed in every single frame of Arrietty is staggering. It is a film that most closely resembles the studios greatest achievement, My Neighbour Totoro, in the way it makes great moments out of small details, the fantastical…

For those who have read any of my previous Ghibli reviews it probably comes to no surprise that I think The Secret World of Arrietty is a stunning work of art and one that is currently severely underappreciated. The thing with their movies that has always enchanted me is how different each and every one of them is. There are of course recurring themes such as the lack of anything purely evil and villainous or the heroine that has to prove herself. Both of these are applicable to Arrietty and almost all of their movies but despite all of this Arrietty is a completely refreshing and rewarding experience.

I have spent some time thinking about this but I can't find…

Hayao Miyazaki is something of a wonder. His worlds have captured and stimulated the minds of young children and adults alike. From Spirited Away to Ponyo, his worlds are magical, lush and beautiful pieces of animation that are filled with secrets and mystery. Though he didn’t direct The Secret World of Arrietty, his spirit and soul can be found all over the film, from the environment to the characters.That’s not taking anything away from first-time director Hiromasa Yonebayashi, who has functioned as a key animator on just about all of Miyazaki’s films. But Miyazaki’s hand is so prominent that it’s like he directed it himself. The sense of delicacy and touching understanding of the human condition are palpable and very…

Oh god. My heart can't take it. Snowman and The Snowdog. Return of the King. Up. Now this. Is there any reason why the Christmas television line-up is doing everything it can to empty my tissue box?

Arrietty is an absolute treat. The visuals and animation are so organic, so fluid and weighty that you could bite every frame and still ask for more. Coupled with that, the sound is crisp and satisfying, making it obvious that director Hiromasa Yonebayashi has paid strict attention to every detail. This is the adaptation that The Borrowers DESERVED, and it's been a long time coming. The sense of scale you get from the 'little' things- like the texture of tape and the surface…

Film #22 of Cinebro's "Plan Your Meals Around Film Lengths" Challenge

There are lots of reasons to cherish Studio Ghibli. They have created (and will continue to create) some of the most beautiful films of all time. They tell rich, complex stories using a cinematic language that any child can understand. They have assembled the greatest team of collaborators since Walt Disney first monopolized the animation industry. But what I love most about them is their ability to make me pay closer attention to the world around me. Their films have actually made a notable impression on my skills of perception.

"The Secret World of Arrietty" is no different. Though the scale is much smaller (literally and metaphorically) than "Spirited…

Studio Ghibli's The Secret World of Arrietty animates Mary Norton's children's story The Borrowers, a tale centred on a family of ‘little people’ secretly living in the floorboards of a house, who 'borrow' essentials from the ‘big people’ upstairs. In the film, Arrietty, a 14 year old borrower, is naturally curious and eager to explore a world which she has only heard about from her parents. Through her travels, she encounters a young boy named Sho who has recently moved into the house upstairs to relax ahead of an operation on his heart, and the instance of her being seen sets into motion a series of events involving anxieties as to her family’s safety. Gorgeously animated, the borrowers’ tiny dwelling…