Secret of Arrietty on Blu-ray Combo Pack (Video Review)

A

FUN FANTASY

FILM

FOR KIDS

 

THE SECRET WORLD  OF ARRIETTY

Review by John Delia

A charming film from the makers of Ponyo and Academy Award winning movie Spirited Away called The Secret World of Arrietty is now available on 2 Disc Blu-ray Combo pack.  A creative story that mixes worlds bringing together an unlikely friendship plays delightfully to kids.  With a voice cast that includes Amy Poehler and Carol Burnett the heartwarming film is sure to make your all time library.

Written for the screen and based on the acclaimed children’s book “The Borrowers,” we are drawn into a story of a young girl named Arrietty, a tiny 14-year-old who lives beneath the floorboards of a rural house with a large garden.  Arrietty often goes through the house picking up scraps of food that the big people drop.  On one occasion she comes in contact with a human boy named Shawn a young 12-year-old, something she has been told never to do.  When their relationship turns into friendship and threatens Arrietty’s family, things start to spiral out of control.

Beautifully animated, the movie becomes a captivating visual delight.  Studio Ghibli famous for many mystical, fascinating, endearing and magical films like Howl’s Moving Castle, Spirited Away and the last year’s Ponyo continues to provide great imaginary films for families.  With The Secret World of Arrietty young girls and boys get to use their imaginations and learn about friendship as they watch the story play out.

The film is available on a 2 Disc Blu-ray Combo pack and has some nice kid friendly features including:

• Storyboard presentation of the film
• Original Japanese Trailers and Television Commercials
• “Summertime” Music Video – Performed by Bridgit Mendler, the speaking voice of Arrietty.
• The Making Of “Summertime” Behind the Scenes – Bridgit Mendler hosts a look at the making of the music video.
•  “Arrietty’s Song” Music Video – Experience the movie’s theme song, performed by innovative singer and harpist Cécile Corbel, who also wrote the lyrics.

The film can also be purchased in DVD with the following special bonus features:

• 1-Disc DVD: (1 DVD)
• “Summertime” Music Video
• The Making Of “Summertime”

FINAL ANALYSIS: Imaginative entertainment for the whole family. (B)

Specifications and additional film information:

• Cast: Amy Poehler, Carol Burnett, Bridgit Mendler, David Henrie,
• Directed by: Gary Rydstrom
• Rating: G
• Genre: Animated, Drama, Comedy
• Running Time: 1 hr 34 min
• Street Date: May 22, 2012
• Original Theatrical Release Date: February 17, 2012
• Language: English
• Format: Blu-ray, DVD
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Audio: Blu-ray Audio: English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
• Audio: DVD Audio: English and French Dolby Digital 5.1 Language Tracks
• Video: Blu-ray – 1080p High Definition,
• Video: DVD- Widescreen/1.85:1 – Enhanced for 16×9 Televisions
• Subtitles: English SDH, French
• Number of Discs: Blu-ray 2 Discs, DVD 1 Disc
• Distributed by: Walt Disney Home Entertainment

SOCIAL MEDIA: Stay connected with the latest news and information on “The Secret World of Arrietty”

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