'Secret World of Arrietty' a place of magic, beauty

In the age of sleek, metallically lustrous computer animation, the Japanese production "The Secret World of Arrietty" presents a treasure chest of old-fashioned pen and ink renderings that shimmer with grace and color.

Many scenes in this animated translation of Mary Norton's novel "The Borrowers" beam with such heavenly beauty that they become quiet showstoppers, moments we wish lasted just a few seconds longer for us to fully absorb their details and textures.

Children, of course, being a primary audience for flights of animated fantasies, will be less impressed by animation styles than the characters and story, both brimming with lessons in trust, friendship and strength of character.

Arrietty (voiced by Disney Channel star Bridgit Mendler) is a "borrower," a little person about 5 inches tall who lives with her father Pod (Will Arnett, channeling Clint Eastwood's raspy delivery) and mother (Amy Poehler), constantly in fear that their daughter will be spotted by the "beans" (human beings) in the house above them, and they'll be forced to move.

Again.

Their worst fears become realized when Arrietty is found by Shawn (David Henrie), the sickly teenager who has come to live with his aunt at her country home.

What could have become a tense horror tale along the lines of "Dr. Cyclops" (mini-sized people being hunted by a crazed scientist) instead evolves into a tender story of trust and chaste love.

Arrietty learns to trust a "bean" against her parents' warnings. Depressed Shawn has his imagination stirred to the possibility of some magic left in the world.

"World of Arrietty" comes with a villain of sorts, a loony housekeeper named Haru, voiced by comedian Carol Burnett, whose initial conservative approach to her character quickly slides into over-the-top comic theatrics that somehow work fine.

The housekeeper, convinced somebody - or tiny somebody - has been filching household items, sets out to find and trap a borrower, just to prove her hunch correct.

"The World of Arrietty" comes from the animation studio of master craftsman Hayao Miyazaki (for lack of a better comparison, the Walt Disney of Japan). This is an English version of director Hiromasa Yonebayashi's original film, redirected by Oscar-winning sound designer Gary Rydstrom. (He's up for two Oscars for "War Horse.")

I understand why marketing concerns would necessitate that "World of Arrietty" be an odd hybrid of Japanese and English inspirations. But I would have preferred this production to be either English or Japanese, not a confusing mishmash of both.

Burnett's housekeeper is the only Asian-appearing main character. Both Shawn's and Arrietty's families appear to be white. (Yet, Haru dines with a fork while Shawn eats with chopsticks. What?)

Norton's celebrated story had been previously adapted for the big screen in 1997's comic, live-action film "The Borrowers." This animated version captures much more mystery and magic than the earlier version, plus it isn't afraid to touch upon the sensitive topics of pain and loss, exemplified by Shawn's heart condition that forces him to remain in a perpetually quiet, inactive state.

This "Secret World" contains a couple of songs laced with more NutraSweet than the taste buds can handle.

Don't see this movie for them, but for the tenderly rendered visuals and simple story that shows us how to see the fantastic in the commonplace.

“The Secret World of Arrietty”

★ ★ ★

Starring: Carol Burnett, Amy Poehler, Will Arnett, Bridgit Mendler

Directed by: Hiromasa Yonebayashi and Gary Rydstrom

Other: A Walt Disney Pictures release. Rated G. 95 minutes