Rating summary
| Movie |  | 4.5 |
| Video |  | 5.0 |
| Audio | | 4.5 |
| Extras |  | 3.0 |
| Overall | | 4.5 |
The Secret World of Arrietty Blu-ray Movie Review
From Studio Ghibli (Spirited Away).
Reviewed by Neil Lumbard July 2, 2021
The Secret World of Arrietty is an enchanting family-film from the legendary animation company, Studio Ghibli (Spirited Away).
Produced by Toshio Suzuki (My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service), The Secret World of Arrietty adapts the beloved
novel by Mary Norton. A must-see.
Little people known as “borrowers” live alongside human beings in a beautiful and old-fashioned residence surrounded by the
radiance of the outdoors. The borrowers take small items from these humans to live their lives (like cubes of sugar and other essential life
necessities). When Arrietty becomes discovered by the human being Shawn, a boy her own age, the Clock family is taken on a unexpected journey of
wonder, magic, and discovery.
A wondrous anime with layers of outstanding merits, The Secret World of Arrietty is a beautiful fable with striking cinematography by
Atsushi Okui (Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away) and magical art direction by Yoji Takeshige (Spirited Away, The Wind
Rises) and Noboru Yoshida (Ponyo, Howl's Moving Castle). The art is visually wondrous and pulls viewers in to the storytelling
with ease. Beautiful layouts as sophisticated as paintings: every frame like a piece of art.
An outstanding steelbook for an enchanting Studio Ghibli production.
The music by Cecile Corbel (Land of the Bears) is one of the most memorable and enchanting scores for any Ghibli production. Corbel
provides the production with a distinct flavor that is unlike most animated scores (with a sublime and ethereal quality that is unique to
Arrietty). Mesmerizing.
The screenplay by Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro) and Keiko Niwa (From Up on Poppy Hill,
When Marnie Was There) adapts the novel in a unique and compelling way. In anime form, The Secret World of Arrietty is full of
unexpected delights. The characters are charming. The storytelling is emotionally resonant. The wonderful messages of the film – about the
importance of kindness – carry throughout.
Director Hiromasa Yonebayashi (When Marnie Was There, Mary and the Witch's Flower) made an outstanding gem with The
Secret World of Arrietty. Yonebayashi shows his influence from Hayao Miyazaki while crafting his own distinctive vision as a filmmaker. The
sophisticated production showcases the visual wonders of the director in spades. Studio Ghibli fans won't want to miss it.
For another take on the feature-film, please refer to the original review by Blu-ray.com writer Kenneth Brown.
The Secret World of Arrietty Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality
The Secret World of Arrietty is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1. The
release has a high bit-rate of 30 mbps.
For more information on the presentation, please refer to the Gkids edition review by my colleague Stephen Larson.
The Secret World of Arrietty Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality
The release includes a selection of audio options: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. The lossless, high-
resolution audio tracks are presented in 24 bit depth.
For more information on the presentation, please refer to the Gkids edition review by my colleague Stephen Larson.
The Secret World of Arrietty Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras
The special edition release includes collectible steelbook packaging. The beautiful design features a colorful green background
and an iconic image from the feature-film on the front. The steelbook is simple but elegant looking. The release is another exceptional addition to the
Studio Ghibli
steelbook
collection line and a must-own for die-hard enthusiasts.
The release also includes a booklet featuring writings on The Secret World of Arrietty. For more information on the on-
disc supplements, please refer to the Gkids edition review by my colleague Stephen Larson.
The Secret World of Arrietty Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation
The Secret World of Arrietty is a beautiful and enchanting family-film from Studio Ghibli (Spirited Away, My Neighbor
Totoro). With a screenplay co-penned by the legendary Hayao Miyazaki, the fable is a must-see for Ghibli enthusiasts. The special
edition re-release has collectible steelbook packaging. The release is impressive in hand and will make a great addition to any Ghibli collection. The Blu-
ray release features an exceptional presentation of the main feature. The release includes a selection of exclusive supplemental features. Highly
recommended.
