Arrietty ~ Hayao Miyazaki movie Review

First propaganda released for Arrietty from Ghibli.

As part of a long tradition my brother pre-ordered the newest Ghibli movie, which this time was the Masterpiece Arrietty. I was anxious, but mostly due to the fact it was the next Hayao Miyazaki-involved film.

By my own tradition I also avoid propaganda, reviews and especially trailers of upcoming Ghibli movies, Arrietty was no exception. So every time I watch a Miyazaki movie I never know what to expect, and walk away with the raw sensation of what the movie was trying to communicate (not what the mis-leading trailers, and often connected personal expectations that let me down.)

I could sum up the movie in a single phrase, “EPIC quality in SMALL proportions.”

Screen capture of scene in movie.

Ultimately the movie followed the original story-line from the book, “the Borrowers,” by Mary Norton, but was given a life that only Hayao Miyazaki can give.

I've never seen such a blend of stunning background art, and hand drawn animation before, like Arrietty presented it. Unlike previous Ghibli movies, where characters occasionally brush into the background paintings, Arrietty forced the studio to delve into them.

In regards to the plot, it carries several of Miyazaki's common traits:

“a cute strong willed girl who takes control of her given circumstances” and there is “no evil, just conflict.”

Basically it is a slice-of-life movie that sets you down into the problems and concerns of people the size of your pinky. Throughout the movie you feel part of their terribly isolated world, which is lost in the haunting tangled folds of reality. The movie is filled with natural/gentle humor and delicately touches the heavy emotional side of life. In essence you half expect a cliché Disney ending where everything works out and is tied neatly in bow, but we get dropped off at another typical Miyazaki door , “life is filled with infinite tomorrows.”

Background artwork.

Surprisingly, unlike previous attempts such as with Kiki's Delivery Service and Howls moving castle, Studio Ghibli succeeded in nurturing a new director under Hayao Miyazaki's care. Although this felt like a number of Miyazaki movies, master animator and director Hayao Miyazaki stayed mostly on the planning/story side (Story boards, character designs...etc).

Miyazaki concept sketch.

This type of relationship Ghibli plans to continue in the future with more movies in order to avoid the company collapsing when Miyazaki actually retires or passes away.

Due to the animation quality, character designs, and stunning backgrounds I will definitely get the “art of” book when it comes out.

More stunning background artwork.

In the mean time America has to wait till February of 2012 before Arrietty hits the U.S. Shores. (That is ridiculous. thank heavens for Amazon Japan and Ghibli always including English subtitles.)

[edited: 7 November 2011: cleaned up and clarified points.]