Arrietty (Studio Ghibli Collection): Deluxe Collector's Edition - Double Play (2 Discs) (Blu-ray)

Undoubtedly the best looking Ghibli film so far released on Blu-ray, the artwork is crystal clear and up to their usual high standards. Unfortunately the story itself is a bit of let-down, with little in the way of magic or adventure and feels weak in comparison to previous Ghibli efforts like Spirited Away or Mononoke. I haven't read the original story so don't know how it compares, but the film's marketing pitched the film as being about the friendship between Arriety and the young boy and again here it falls a little flat. By the end of the movie the two are little more than mere acquaintances, leaving what should have been an emotional ending feeling a little hollow. This is slightly frustrating as the story itself sets up several plot points which could easily have been developed further, but instead were basically forgotten about giving the impression that this was something of a missed opportunity. Overall this is a decent family film with beautiful artwork and animation, but… more »

Undoubtedly the best looking Ghibli film so far released on Blu-ray, the artwork is crystal clear and up to their usual high standards. Unfortunately the story itself is a bit of let-down, with little in the way of magic or adventure and feels weak in comparison to previous Ghibli efforts like Spirited Away or Mononoke. I haven't read the original story so don't know how it compares, but the film's marketing pitched the film as being about the friendship between Arriety and the young boy and again here it falls a little flat. By the end of the movie the two are little more than mere acquaintances, leaving what should have been an emotional ending feeling a little hollow. This is slightly frustrating as the story itself sets up several plot points which could easily have been developed further, but instead were basically forgotten about giving the impression that this was something of a missed opportunity. Overall this is a decent family film with beautiful artwork and animation, but it could have been much more.