The Secret World of Arrietty Blu-ray Review

The Shout Factory Blu-ray presentation of "The Secret World of Arrietty" continues to exemplify outstanding visual quality, rivaling its 2012 Disney counterpart. Utilizing the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1, the MPEG-4 AVC-encoded transfer showcases a marginally higher bitrate at an average of 30 Mbps, compared to the previous 27.65 Mbps. While the difference may be subtle in motion, close-up screen grabs reveal minute improvements in the encoding. The colors are exquisitely warm and well-saturated, with rich greens enveloping the home of Pod and Arrietty, maintaining a tactile and organic feel to the hand-painted artwork.

The picture quality is notably sharp, with animated lines rendered precisely and no apparent signs of digital artifacting or color banding. The background imagery evokes a beautiful watercolor effect, contrasted with the softer animation and foreground closeups. Despite not possessing the sleekness of a digitally produced film, it captures an inherent charm and texture that elevate its visual narrative. The depth is further enhanced by the well-executed shadow details, making the overall viewing experience deeply engaging. With these enhancements, it’s clear why "The Secret World of Arrietty" continues to garner top scores for its video presentation.

The Blu-ray release of The Secret World of Arrietty boasts remarkable audio quality, preserving the pristine detail and immersive experience that fans of Studio Ghibli should expect. This release includes 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio tracks in both English and Japanese (4105 kbps and 4154 kbps, respectively), with a French Dolby Digital 5.1 (448 kbps) track available for additional language options. The DTS-HD MA tracks are directly carried over from the original 2012 Disney release, ensuring high fidelity and accurate representation of the film's aural landscape. These tracks offer a superb listening experience, boasting clean, crisp vocal delivery and an astounding level of detail in the ambient soundscapes.

In performance, the 5.1 surround mix is particularly noteworthy. The directional audio effectively enhances the immersion, with background noises such as closing doors and footsteps rendered with striking accuracy. The balanced bass slightly thumps as tiny feet patter across wooden floors and significantly complements the film’s subtle yet enchanting score. While the bass presence isn't overwhelming, it serves its purpose in creating a nuanced auditory environment. A notable highlight is the authenticity of the rainstorm effects, which resonate with lifelike clarity, making one feel enveloped by a genuine rainstorm.

Additionally, it's worth mentioning that the film includes an alternative English recording for the UK and Australian Region B discs, performed by renowned British actors like Tom Holland and Saorise Ronan, which has been highly praised for its performance quality. Overall, whether indulging in the original Japanese or English dub, listeners are treated to an engaging and meticulously crafted audio experience that accentuates the whimsical charm inherent to Studio Ghibli's creations.

The Blu-ray release of "The Secret World of Arrietty" offers a robust selection of extras, presenting an in-depth exploration into the film’s production and creative minds. Interviews with Hayao Miyazaki and Hiromasa Yonebayashi are insightful, delivering valuable commentary and behind-the-scenes perspectives. The inclusion of feature-length storyboards is an impressive addition, allowing a comprehensive view of the film's development process. The music videos add an auditory pleasure while enhancing the overall experience. Though the disc lacks interviews from the UK/AU release due to licensing restrictions, it compensates with enhanced content such as a newly included 12-page booklet featuring a producer’s statement. The technical quality is pristine, ensuring an engaging and informative bonus material offering.

Extras included in this disc:

• Feature-Length Storyboards: Comprehensive visual overview of the film’s development.
• Interview with Hiromasa Yonebayashi: In-depth discussion with the director.
• Interview with Hayao Miyazaki: Exclusive insights from the legendary creator.
• Music Video: Arrietty's Song and Summertime.
• Original Theatrical Trailers: Compilation of promotional trailers.
• Exclusive Booklet: New 12-page booklet with a producer’s statement.

The Secret World of Arrietty, a product of Studio Ghibli, seamlessly blends the enchantment of classical storytelling with the meticulous artistry the studio is renowned for. Under the direction of Hiromasa Yonebayashi and the screenplay touch of Hayao Miyazaki, this adaptation of Mary Norton's The Borrowers situates itself within Ghibli's oeuvre not through grandiosity but via simplicity and charm. Depicting the lives of tiny "Borrowers," who depend on human discards to survive, this film captivates not by sweeping narratives but through its portrayal of small but significant adventures. The movie’s ability to make everyday occurrences appear monumental through Arrietty's perspective creates a resonance that stays with the viewer. Sho's encounter with Arrietty and the ensuing clandestine friendship between them underscore themes of empathy and protection, wrapped in a heartwarming narrative that feels both accessible and profound.

The tale balances tenderness and tension gracefully—Arrietty's escapades juxtaposed against Sho’s frailty and Haru’s persistent threat mesh to create a dynamic experience. The narrative refrains from the epic battles seen in Princess Mononoke or the dystopian ambiance of The Wind Rises, centering instead on life's simpler joys and tribulations. This smaller scale does not imply any lesser impact: Arrietty’s trials—whether her adventurous borrowing missions or her need to escape housekeeper Haru’s clutches—induce a child-like wonder and immersive suspense heightened by the sense of oversized threats in her miniature world. This film's magic lies in rendering the mundane into marvels, making Arrietty's world expansive in its perceived smallness.

Overall, The Secret World of Arrietty endows viewers with nostalgic sentiments reminiscent of youthful wonder and safety, akin to comforting childhood narratives. Its confined scope relative to other Ghibli productions becomes its triumph, establishing a connecting bridge between simple storytelling and profound emotional impacts. Rated G for General Audiences, this is a family-friendly adventure that serves as both comfort food and timeless cinematic fare.

"The Secret World of Arrietty," now available on Blu-ray from Shout! Factory, demonstrates Studio Ghibli's prowess in creating visually stunning and emotionally rich films. Featuring a 1080p AVC-encoded transfer in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, this release preserves the delicate, hand-drawn animations, and vibrant color palette that has become a hallmark of the studio’s work. The audio options include English and Japanese DTS-HD MA 5.1 tracks, offering a rich and immersive experience, complemented by an equally engaging French DD 5.1 track. This Blu-ray distinguishes itself with enhanced encode quality and highly sought-after extras, including exclusive Miyazaki and Yonebayashi interviews and a comprehensive standalone presentation of the complete storyboards.

While previous Disney releases of the film set a high benchmark, Shout! Factory’s version maintains if not exceeds expectations by providing a slightly superior visual and audio experience. The meticulous restoration ensures that every detail, from the lush landscapes to the quaint interiors of Arrietty's home, is captured with crystal clarity. This edition is particularly notable for collectors due to its inclusion of unique special features, such as previously hard-to-find interview footage, making it a valuable addition to any Ghibli enthusiast's collection.

As small and “tiny” (heh heh) as it is, "The Secret World of Arrietty" goes all the way for a big blast. It’s sweet, light, airy and yet still mature and thoughtful at the same time. It doesn’t have the giant frightening scenes of films like "Mononoke" or "Spirited Away," which makes it more accessible to really young children, as well as the more mature ones in your household. Arrietty feels the most comfortable (in my opinion) out of all the Ghibli lineup to American audiences, which makes sense considering it was adapted from "The Borrower" books. Audio and video are spot-on magnificent and look just as good as the older Disney release, and the extras are slightly tweaked to be a bit more appealing to collectors. If you have the older Disney release, I would say it’s a tough one to upgrade on, as the small extras that weren’t in the Disney release are nice, but the audio and video being so similar keeps it from being a “duh, go ahead and upgrade” recommendation. HOWEVER, if you haven’t bought the film before (or just have the DVD), then the Shout Factory release is just what the doctor ordered and the best version out so far.

Technical Specifications:

Starring: Bridgit Mendler, Amy Poehler, Will Arnett Directed by: Hiromasa Yonebayashi Written by: Hayao Miyazaki, Mary Norton (book) Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 AVC Audio: English: DTS-HD MA 5.1, Japanese DTS-HD MA 5.1, French DD 5.1 Studio: Shout Factory/Studio Ghibli Rated: G Runtime: 95 Minutes Blu-ray Release Date: November 21st, 2017

Recommendation: Great Buy