Review of The Secret World of Arrietty

What else can you expect from this legendary studio? Stunning visuals, whimsical worldbuilding and a fun story that speaks to your childhood sense of wonder. Based on another western fairytale, Arrietty is a masterclass in visual storytelling. Barely a single word is spoken of how the intricate network of tiny machinery in the walls came to be, but if you pay attention you can see all the detail you need to see in order to piece it together. Never do they stop and explain to the audience things that are evident from just watching. The very best exposition is no exposition at all, unspoken becauseit didn't need to be.

The conflict with the older housekeeper is a little on the cartoonishly evil side, until you remember you're watching a cartoon. At least I see these movies as being closer to western cartoons than most other anime. Hell, the Big Mouse even licensed them out for western audiences. That lady was really one of those villains you love to hate, so I guess they did a good job making her unlikable. The conflict did seem to peter out without much of a satisfying resolution. They got out, but they still lost their home. I guess I shouldn't expect such a sappy storybook ending, and it's probably more realistic that way.

Anyway I had a fun time watching this, 8/10