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"THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY"
(2012) (voices of Bridgit Mendler, David Henrie) (G)


Alcohol/Drugs Mild
Blood/Gross Stuff Minor
Disrespectful/Bad Attitude Heavy
Frightening/Tense Scenes Heavy
Gun/Weapons Mild
Imitative Behavior Moderate
Jump Scenes Mild
Music (Scary/Tense) None
Music (Inappropriate) None
Profanity Minor
Sex/Nudity None
Smoking None
Tense Family Scenes Moderate
Topics to Talk About Heavy
Violence Mild


QUICK TAKE:
Animated Drama/Fantasy: A young teen, who lives under the floorboards of a house along with her similarly-sized, miniature parents, befriends a sickly, full-sized boy, thus possibly endangering her and her family.
PLOT:
Arrietty (voice of BRIDGIT MENDLER) is a young teenager who lives in a nice house with her parents, Pod (voice of WILL ARNETT) and Homily (voice of AMY POEHLER). The only difference between them and other families is that they stand only a few inches tall and live under the floorboards of a closet in the house.

Known as borrowers, they only come out when the full-sized humans aren't around or likely to discover them, and borrow (or, more accurately, steal) small items the homeowners will never miss. That could be anything ranging from a single sugar cube to a lone tissue, things that will last the little people months if not longer.

The ever cautious Pod is concerned that a new human has arrived. He's Shawn (voice of DAVID HENRIE), a young and sickly teen who's been sent by his parents to stay with his Aunt Jessica (voice of GRACLE POLETTI) and her housekeeper, Hara (voice of CAROL BURNETT), while awaiting surgery on his bad heart. Arrietty isn't scared, however, especially after Shawn proves he intends her no harm, but Pod and especially the ultra-nervous Homily want her to keep away from him.

For they know, just like another borrower, the feral-type Spiller (voice of MOISES ARIAS), that once humans have found them, it's only a matter of time before things quickly go downhill, thus necessitating a hasty move to another house. And with Shawn's repeated attempts at interaction with Arrietty, it's quite likely that Hara will find her and her family as well.

WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT?
They might be drawn to it, but the visual style might not be as appealing to some as that found in computer-animated films aimed at kids.
WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: G
Presumably for not containing material that would warrant a higher rating.
CAST AS ROLE MODELS:
  • ARRIETTY is a young teen borrower, a small being only a few inches tall who...


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