Residing quietly beneath the floorboards are little people who live undetected in a secret world to be discovered, where the smallest may stand tallest of all. From the legendary Studio Ghibli (“Spirited Away,” “Ponyo”) comes “The Secret World of Arrietty,” an animated adventure based on Mary Norton’s acclaimed children’s book series “The Borrowers.”
Arrietty (voice of Bridgit Mendler), a tiny, but tenacious 14-year-old, lives with her parents (voices of Will Arnett and Amy Poehler) in the recesses of a suburban garden home, unbeknownst to the homeowner and her housekeeper (voice of Carol Burnett). Like all little people, Arrietty (AIR-ee-ett-ee) remains hidden from view, except during occasional covert ventures beyond the floorboards to “borrow” scrap supplies like sugar cubes from her human hosts. But when 12-year-old Shawn (voice of David Henrie), a human boy who comes to stay in the home, discovers his mysterious housemate one evening, a secret friendship blossoms. If discovered, their relationship could drive Arrietty’s family from the home and straight into danger. The English language version of “The Secret World ofArrietty” was executive produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall, and directed by Gary Rydstrom.
Notes:
- Hayao Miyazaki is one of the most influential and admired filmmakers working in animation today and is a major figure in the Japanese cinematic landscape. His films have inspired moviegoers and colleagues around the world, from Pixar’s John Lasseter to fantasist Guillermo del Toro to Chinese director Tsui Hark, and consistently top the box office in his native Japan.
- Director Hiromasa Yonebayashi, a top animator at Studio Ghibli, was responsible for the animation in a signature scene in “Ponyo,” in which Ponyo runs atop ocean waves.
- English language voice talent director Gary Rydstrom is a seven-time Academy AwardÒwinning sound designer/mixer (“Terminator 2: Judgment Day”). He joined Pixar Animation Studios as an animation film director in 2003. His directorial debut for the studio was the Academy Award®-nominated short film “Lifted,” and he directed the short film “Hawaiian Vacation,” which was released with “Cars 2” in June 2011.
- Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall are highly successful producing partners whose films, separately and together, include “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” “E.T.,” “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?,” the Indiana Jones films and the Jurassic Park films. In total, Kennedy and Marshall have earned 11 Oscar® nominations.
- English language screenplay writer Karey Kirkpatrick’s credits include “Spiderwick Chronicles” and “Over the Hedge,” which he also directed (with Tim Johnson).
I loved “The Borrowers” so I am super excited to see this animated movie!! Sounds like a really cute version of it!
I can’t wait to watch this with my God sons!
Can’t wait to see this movie, we love animation movies.
Super excited about this movie!
I have been wanting badly to see this movie ever since I read that it existed in Japanese.
I haven’t seen it yet, but can’t wait!
I saw this movie in the theaters with my 5 year old son, He loves loves Ponyo and Studio Ghibli made that one too.
We haven’t seen the movie, but from the description it sounds like something we would all like. Definitely a family movie night type movie.
We saw the previews, my daughter will like this
Kims2312@verizon.net
We haven’t seen this movie yet but I know we would really enjoy watching it for Family Movie Night!!
It looks really cute!
I’m really excited to see it! The Borrowers was a favorite of mine as a kid!
I would love to see this movie. It looks so cute.
I want to see this movie really bad!
We haven’t had a chance to see this movie yet…but I think my kids will love it!
I’m excited to see this movie.
My kids are excited to see it and I like alot of the actors who are in this movie!
love animation can’t wait to see it!
This movie looks really cute with great animation. Can’t wait to see it with my Grandsons.
my daughter loves the trailer and previews and wants to see it
I would love to see this movie. It reminds me of a movie I used to watch when I was little, Fern Gulley!
So excited for this film! Looks beautiful.
I read all of the Borrowers books when I was a kid. I would love to show this world to Alysia.
Have not seen this movie yet but I am excited about it! I heard a lot about it and the secret world! This would be a great movie to watch with my younger brother!
i’m excited to see it- my daughter would really love to so i’d love to win this for her!
annae07 at aol dot com