The Disney take over if Gihbli is very visible in this sweet movie, which however lacks the magic of the original Gihbli movie's. The story vaguely based on the movie "the borrowers", a rather plain movie from 1997. Again this shows the lacking of the creativity of earlier Gihbli movies which combined the typical Japanese ghost world and/or magic atmosphere. This movie is a rather western type of story, clearly aiming to a larger public.
The story of the borrowers is moved to Japan and an extra layer added by the sick boy, which however is not a real addition to the movie. The secret world of Arriety is more calm then the original, that is for sure, there is more time to work out the connection between Shaun and Arriety, but it remains basic.
It is not a bad movie to watch, it is quite fun. But when you see Gihbli being brought down by Disney, it saddens the heart
The story of the borrowers is moved to Japan and an extra layer added by the sick boy, which however is not a real addition to the movie. The secret world of Arriety is more calm then the original, that is for sure, there is more time to work out the connection between Shaun and Arriety, but it remains basic.
It is not a bad movie to watch, it is quite fun. But when you see Gihbli being brought down by Disney, it saddens the heart