"There is so much action in the movie that people might love," says KIDS FIRST! youth film critic Anthony Aranda in his review (below). But this anime film from Studio Ghibli in Japan has even more to recommend it: the quiet and slow-paced moments that lend the film greater persuasion as it captures the honest details of life all around us. Not to mention its impact of juxtaposing the miniature world of Arrietty's family with the "normal" world of the family whose house they inhabit, all built with recognizable, real items we see (or overlook) in our homes every day. Bridgit Mendler, Will Arnett, David Henrie and Amy Poeher are some of the voices that bring to life this screenplay co-written by Hayao Miyazaki from Mary Norton's novel, The Borrowers.

The Secret World of Arrietty

Reviewed by Anthony Aranda

(See his full review on video.)

This movie is amazing — there is so much action in the movie that people might love. 

This movie is all about a kid visiting his grandma’s house and she says there are living people in the house who are as tiny as a mouse. That’s where Arrietty comes in, along with her mom, dad and a friend of hers named Spiller. Spiller saw Arrietty’s dad was hurt so he brought him back home. But they have to move because the boy who came saw Arrietty — and they can never be seen by the big people, who might look for all of them and capture them.

Some of the main characters in the movie are Arrietty, her dad and mom, the boy and his grandma. My favorite character is Arrietty’s mom because she’s so funny. I like Arrietty, also, because she wants to be a borrower just like her dad but she messes up and the boy sees her so they have to move.

I recommend this movie for all ages because it’s really good for everyone. There are not any scary parts and the adults might know the story from when they were a kid (The Borrowers). Go out and see this movie in theaters today.