TrueJoshNight Truly Dreadful Film

Nonureva Really Surprised!

SparkMore n my opinion it was a great movie with some interesting elements, even though having some plot holes and the ending probably was just too messy and crammed together, but still fun to watch and not your casual movie that is similar to all other ones.

Sharkflei Your blood may run cold, but you now find yourself pinioned to the story.

chwalker-christopher I really could never have imagined that it would be possible to make a movie adaptation based on the Mary Norton books that would be so completely devoid of charm. When the estate licensed this adaptation, they made a terrible, terrible mistake.It's vile. I would have rated it a zero, but the scale only goes down to 1.

Steve Gruenwald (Steve G-2) This is an enjoyable and engaging rendition of the 1953 book, suitable for young and old. It has some odd inconsistencies for the more critical viewer - mainly the fact that it is an unequivocally British story, set in an unequivocally British town, yet some of the main characters (and some other aspects) are clearly and inexplicably American - but those quirks needn't detract from the excellent script and characterization. It's a good film to re-watch with the finger on the "pause" button of the video remote control - the details of the Borrowers' home and equipment are fun to spot. (Don't do that the first time, though.) It's also notable for the first teaming of Mark Williams, Jim Broadbent, and Tom Felton, all leading characters here as well as in certain later and distinctly better-known films.

zetes I've been interested in seeing this adaptation of Mary Norton's novels ever since I saw the Studio Ghibli adaptation, The Secret World of Arrietty, last February. As I expected, this is more of a comic adventure film, a pretty typical children's film for the time, as opposed to the serious and beautiful Ghibli version. I have no idea which is closer to the source material (I'd actually bet the 1997 version is; the other one is way too Ghibli-esque not to have been heavily changed). As it is, the 1997 version is a halfway decent children's films. Not good, not bad. If I were a kid, I think I'd enjoy it. It stars John Goodman and Jim Broadbent, so it at least has something going for it. The family is pretty similar to the Ghibli version, except for they also have a son (Tom Felton). Felton and Flora Newbigin (who plays Arrietty) get separated from their parents (Broadbent and Celia Imrie) when the house they live in is set to be bulldozed by evil land developer (is there any other kind?) John Goodman. There's no seriousness here. It's all just loud adventure type stuff as the borrower children outsmart Goodman at every turn (he could probably very easily defeat his nemeses here if he would just avoid those comic pauses every time they're about to get him). I'm surprised Newbigin didn't go onto anything better. She's a pretty good juvenile actress. I don't think this film was very successful. I don't ever remember it existing (I was in college at the time, so I wouldn't have had any interest). The special effects aren't too bad. The story was adapted just five years previous with Ian Holm starring in the Jim Broadbent role.

artfully_dodging Okay, this film has gotten so many negative reviews that I felt compelled to write one in its defense. It is without doubt my favorite kids film of all time, if not my favorite film period. I thought the children playing Arietty and Peagreen were fabulous, considering that they have basically no acting experience. However, I was most drawn to the character of Spiller. There was something about that young guy (called Raymond Pickard, I believe) that was just absolutely magnetic. I couldn't take my eyes off of him.Anyhow, this is a wonderful film in my opinion. Completely original, I thought. That Disney garbage is so predictable and pointless, filled with mind-numbing songs. The Borrowers is a nice, refreshing breath of air for the family film genre. I'd actually recommend it over the Harry Potter films, to be honest. The acting was tons better in The Borrowers, and the lessons taught were much more relevant and valuable.Loved it!!