Hey Denver Community,
The next Studio Ghibli film, "The Secret World of Arrietty" comes out in U.S. theaters on February 17th. Yay! There are going to be several theaters (but not all that are showing the film in the Denver Metro Area. I am sure there might be more so speak up if you know of them in the DMA. (Anyone not from Denver should look for Arrietty in their theater on the
Official Website.) I myself saw it and here is my review:
Synopsis
In “The Secret World of Arrietty” you follow a small girl (a really small girl) as she begins her journey and life as a “borrower.” On the night she makes her first trip into the house where the borrowers salvage any useful material or food left behind by the beans (a slang term to refer to actual humans), she and her father are discovered by a boy who recently moved in there. What follows is a spin dive into a world of chaos for Arrietty and her family, as Shawn (the boy) learns of their existence which later feeds the obsession of the housekeeper in her hunt to find the little people.
Details
Like in all Studio Ghibli films, this film covers detail into the story. Never since a movie like “Honey. I Shrunk the Kids” ever gave such emphasis into the detail of each drop of water (or tea), the behavior of pill bugs, or every piece of kitchenware shaking in its own unique direction during a quake in the little people's house. Sound for the most part was very accurate, however one part left me feeling slightly out of place based on films that showed larger than life experiences. In Don Bluth's “Secret of NIMH” and “An American Tail” both films feature scenes where cats chase mice and you see these scenes from the perspective of the mice. From that perspective the cats give out deafening roars similar to lions. This is not heard in Arrietty. Now for as far as I know it may be more realistic to simply hear the tone of the cat as we hear it from Arrietty's perspective, and the Don Bluth films may be surrealistic when it comes to sound (I believe they are in many other aspects).
Disney Assimilation
As observed with Ponyo, I am beginning to observe certain parts of the Studio Ghibli movies beginning to have more songs sung in English than Japanese. All songs (including opening credits, background, and ending credits) all were in English in this dub. Maybe it is for the better for the growth of the films in America, but I kinda still want to hear original Japanese dialog when it comes to songs. I also wonder if Disney puts too much emphasis in casting their voice actors for the Ghibli movies now. Carol Burnett who played the antagonist in this movie fit the voice nicely, however with limited dialog, and being a Japanese dub, it didn't feel like Carol Burnett. I wonder sometimes if Disney doesn't cast these movies just to get the big star names out just to get more people to see the movie.
Another not-quite love story based on a popular novel.
Once again Studio Ghibli makes its mark with it's “imagine the two of us, but it can't happen” between the heroine and the boy who helps her. It was obvious when you just compare the size of those two this time. Sure there have been Studio Ghibli films in the past where the boy and girl hook up (Castle in the Sky, Kiki's Delivery Service, Howl's Moving Castle), however it drives me crazy to watch a movie to see a girl who is lonely (and Arrietty is lonely in this movie), meets someone and can't find a way to make it happen. Sure there is Spiller but from the two scenes he is in, I don't see those two going far. I seriously was hoping at the least for a more happy ending between the two main characters. There was a way to make the story a head turning “What? Didn't see that coming. Aw that is so cute.” in the end, but it just didn't happen. I also wonder if Studio Ghibli ran out of fresh, completely unique ideas because this is the fourth film in a row to be "based on a novel" despite they really do take it and make it their own.
Summary
Realistically to me this was well worth my 25 bucks (in movie ticket and snacks) and this will make a fine addition to my library of Ghibli films. I can't say it is the best movie in the series, but it is a great film and wonderful eye candy despite the story already laid out to what is going to happen before you get through it all and Disney taking it for its own. Don't get me wrong the story is great, I just wanted to be a little more unexpected. Oh and if you want to have some fun if it is just you and your friends watching it, shout “Pick the Chinese Dress!” when the right moment comes.
Links to up to date showtimes:
Denver Metro Area (Fandango)Fort Collins/Loveland (Fandango)Colorado Springs, CO (Fandango)And finally I here is the
link (click here) to the official trailer.
As far as I can tell no Cinemark, Century, Cinearts, Tinsletown, Harkins, Landmark, Carmike, or any other brand other than Regal/UA or AMC will be showing the film. Sorry that I didn't cover any farther outside of Denver.EDIT: I have the links for Fandago searches for each general area for the Colorado Front Range for up to date movie times posted from now on. Have fun watching!
