The Cat Returns

The Cat Returns-S1E1

I wish, I really wish I liked it better. I mean, I know from the synopsis that it's not that much original or innovative storyline but yet I still have hope for it. It is still good because of the duration, it's not dragging... but I think it could be better. The elements are just way too "familiar" and therefore I felt like nothing new is presented by the movie, I must say it feels a little bit of "Alice In The Wonderland" and then some other fairy tales at the other scenes, like... 'hey, it reminds me of...' moments keep happening to me. I thought at least there'd be anything new. But there's none... The characters also, are not so memorable... , I mean I can get a grasp of their personalities but there is nothing like, impressive... it's like each character personality are adopted from some other characters produced before in another movie. I'm sorry, but I really think it could be better. Or, I'm just not the target audience for this movie. Maybe...

Though the great Hayao Miyazaki's name is at the top of the bill in the new animated Ghibli release, "Neko no Ongaeshi" (The Cat Returns), he played little part in it. Unfortunately, it shows. The story is set in the real present-day world. A high school girl, Haru Yoshioka, lives with her single, slightly Bohemian mother. She's not the most attractive, graceful, or popular girl in school, so she's not altogether satisfied with her life. One day, Haru eyes a cat with a small box in its mouth attempting to cross a busy street. The cat fumbles the package in the middle of the street and a truck is bearing down rapidly. Haru grabs her friend's Lacrosse stick and manages to scoop the cat away to safety at the last second and saves its life. The cat then gets up on its hind legs, brushes itself off, and thanks her very politely. This being the real world, she is of course stunned by the cat's actions. Later that evening, the King of the cats (who, it turns out, is the father of the cat she saved) shows up in a feline motorcade replete with vassals, maidens, and Secret Service Cats. She gets invited to the kingdom of the cats and, not being too happy with her life, she is tempted into going there. Up to this point, the movie is flawless. The artwork is great, the characters develop well, and cat lovers would eat it up. When she gets to the kingdom of the cats, however, things turn south for both the main character and for the audience. The story becomes increasingly contrived-even for a fantasy. It was like there was a shift change at Ghibli and the inexperienced night crew took over to finish up the film. The official western title for this movie is "The Cat Returns," though the translation of the title would be "The Cats' Returned Favor." It is likely called that because the cat hero of the story, The Baron, was in another Ghibli film, "Whisper of the Heart." Until recently, it was showing in Japan with a short feature entitled, "Ghiblis - Episode 2." Hopefully, the short will be excised from the bill when it gets sent abroad--it is a stinker. Overall, the film was quite good, but it was a relative disappointment after seeing "Spirited Away." It should make it to the states within a year. Because it describes a far more western-oriented culture than other Miyazaki films, it might find new fans over here. I give it an eight out of ten.

I wouldn't be sure that The Cat Returns would have an appeal to audiences as wide as Miyazaki's directed films would, since as a family film it is mostly amusing or curious for adults (with the good laugh or two at the American voice work if one is inclined to listen to the new English dub). But for children it's just about one of the best in the anime field, a work that provides that great dose of fantasy and enjoyment while sticking to those tried and true themes with kids movies that only work so often (such as here). While "believe in yourself" is in fact such a cliché that it may eventually turn back around and become an original notion at some point in movies, in the Cat Returns it has that fresh perspective of a little girl, a genuinely caring and generous soul who's doesn't have many friends, who contemplates from time to time becoming a cat. In the Cat Returns, where young Haru saves a kitty from certain death while crossing a street and in the process is picked to become the wife to the Prince of the Cat Kingdom somewhere far, far away, there's even a slight Fantasy Island ala Pinocchio aspect to the piece (which goes without saying the obvious comparison with becoming a cat by thinking or acting like one). It's all in good fun, but would one really want to be in a kingdom of cats presided by a Cat King who loafs about in total splendor? Well, maybe, which is part of the conflict. But for kids this is just a core for the rest of the joy to spring out of. After the whole individuality-good aspect is covered, the rest of the picture has to entertain, and this is where Studio Ghibli works their usual best again. It's a gorgeously animated film, directed by Hiroyuki Morita from a somewhat original concept, delivering a wide variety of cats- small, cute, tall, proper, fat, fuzzy, shrill, sweet- and a great design of the Cat Kingdom itself with that shifty maze and giant towers. Morita almost disappoints with the running length: at 75 minutes, a few of those for credits, the Cat Returns could actually benefit from having more detail and bits of comedy and excitement. But it's then a backhanded compliment at the same time; one has many memorable characters to pick from, like the big sidekick/bodyguard Muta, the King himself, Natoru the lackey for the king, and the Baron who is about as formal as a royal British officer. For children most of all it's the kind of treat they'll want to revisit many times, and a good point as well is the new English dub. It wouldn't be bad if the Japanese cut got some attention, which is the original and fine enough, but the voice-work from Anne Hathaway, Peter Boyle, Cary Elwes, Tim Curry, Eliot Gould, and Andy Richter is fantastic for sometimes so small or repetitive a performance (as Hathaway points on the DVD, lots of screaming, varieties of yelling and yelps for Boyle) that it's never less than delightful. The little kid in me, as well as cat lover, was very pleased. The only minor drawback is that some adults may feel a little left out of the simplicity of the piece on the whole as it isn't as all inclusive a masterpiece like Totoro.

I'm an unreconstructed cat lover. And a great fan of Japanese animation. Miyazaki's 'Princess Mononoke' and 'Spirited Away' are truly masterpieces of movie making, not just great animation. They, and others, shine and inspire, and are at the very top of the art, irrespective of the genre. I was very pleased to see the poster for 'Mr. Cat Returns' at my local cinema, and dashed off to see the movie at the first opportunity. What a huge disappointment! This movie was stunning in its absolute lack of charm, grace, and magic. Where 'Princess Mononoke' left you speechless with enchantment and amazement--- and greatly entertained, this clunker left you speechless with disbelief that something so bad was ever produced. It was very much like the Hanna-Barbara animation studio decided to do a remake of 'My Fair Lady' with the Flinstones. This movie had NOTHING worthwhile to offer about cats, art, movies, animation, grace, magic, or wonder. It might distract a 6 year old, but is a waste of time for anyone who expects real magic. It almost makes you wonder if the studio had a bunch of PR employees write up some misleading reviews--- such as the false suggestion that Miyazaki himself had been somehow involved with this movie. He wasn't! Give me the real Miyazaki!!!

I have this anime on DVD, and for me it is just stunning. i have also enjoyed Princess Mononoke and Castle of Cagliostro, but what makes this movie stand out for me is that it is so relaxing to watch.True, it is one of the weaker Ghibli efforts, but I think some of the criticisms are a little unfair. The only problem is that it is a little too short, only 75 minutes, but you'll love it anyway. the animation is beautiful, some lovely colours in the ballroom scene. The music was gorgeous, and being a singer I look out for this in every movie. The storyline while simple, is surprisingly well told, and is also fast-moving. The voice talents is where I have to make a confession. I have only watched the version with the English voices, which were a delight. Anne Hathaway voices Haru wonderfully, and there was a lot of screaming, I noticed. Likewise with Cary Elwes as the Baron, who was a sheer delight as the Baron, just perfect for the character. Peter Boyle and Elliot Gould were really funny, and their tongue-in-cheek dialogue was just inspirational. The Cat king isn't Tim Curry's finest voice over, but he was still delightful and at least he kept me entertained. All in all, a beautiful and charming fantasy film, that is recommended. 9/10. Bethany Cox

If you (like me) have been stunned by other Studio Ghibli releases and expect yet another unusually good anime, you are likely to be disappointed. At least i became. This movie has a few original ideas, but ties them together poorly and lacks complexity as well as charisma of the characters. The animations and the sceneries are great, but the story is not. Usually, i have no problems with logical oddities in an adventure like this, but i do wish to have some mysticity. Reasons for things to happen. Just another noisy children's adventure to pass an hour away, but nothing with this movie creates any excitement or memories. For cute, well-animated movies, i'd recommend Whisper of the heart and My neighbour Totoro instead. But then, this is compared to other high quality releases. Compared to most of the stuff available, this of course is of outstanding quality.

Up to this point all of Studio Ghibli's productions where pure gold. However this film lacked everything that made all other Ghibli films a success. Believable and lovable characters, real situations in a fantasy world, and a balance between black and white. I take this film as the exception of the rule. The rule that everything studio Ghibli creates is pure magic. I hope the Studio corrects finds and corrects what went wrong before producing another film as this and thus downgrade its image. I will be harsh with the rating to set this as an example for avoidance: 05/10 Mr Miyazaki you better teach a thing or two to the people working in your studio. And if they don't learn give them the bag. I don't think there is an animator in this world not dreaming of working in your studio.

Well, if you keep in mind this cute movie in NOT from Miyazaki, but the first work as director of 30 year-old or something Morita Hiroyuki, you couldn't but like it a lot. Of course it is a bit short, of course the script is not perfect, but the animation is good, the voices are great, and as i said, just like "kiki's delivery service", everything is "hell of cute". This film is very promising, and as long as you don't expect too much from it, you will have a great great time, trust me.

"The Cat Returns" is a beautiful film as one would expect from Studio Ghibli. It is probably their lightest film to date and certainly the shortest of the ones available on DVD in the west. I don't think this is a fault though sometimes that is just what I want in a film. The plot suggests that it is the sort of film that would only appeal to children: A girl rescues a cat who turns out to be a prince among cats, in return she is invited to marry him and turns to The Cat Business Office for help. While it is obviously ideal for children, it is rated U by the BBFC with the customer advice that it "Contains mild peril" it is also a lot of fun for the older viewer, I laughed out loud several times when I watched it. People who enjoyed "Whisper of the Heart" may be pleased to see the return of the Baron in a much larger role. This is director Hiroyuki Morita's only film to date but on the strength of this I'm hoping he will be directing further Studio Ghibli projects.