The Cat Returns — guest movie review
Studio Ghibli is a name that has been globally recognized lately, thanks to such epics as Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away. (Both Distributed by Disney though the first was branded with the Miramax name and the latter branded with the Disney name.)
The studio’s newest release Neko No Ongaeshi or also known as The Cat Returns (though literally ‘Ongaeshi’ means to repay a debt) is a cute romp through a simple fairy tale. Though not directed by Hayao Miyazaki (who played executive producer), the film still manages to capture the look of classic Studio Ghibli.
The Cat Returns starts with our heroine Haru waking up to her usual day, which includes missing breakfast, sneaking into class late and being reprimanded by the teacher in front of the class. Tired and bored with a lot of things in her life (except with her crush on the boy in her class), Haru walks home after school with her best friend Hiromi. They both notice a cat crossing the street while carrying a package in its mouth. Thinking it peculiar, they stop and watch the cat as it drops the package, unable to pick it back up and unaware that a truck is racing towards it. Without hesitation, Haru grabs Hiromi’s Lacrosse stick and runs across the street scooping up the cat just in the nick of time and stumbles and trips on to the other side of the road. Regaining her composure, she looks around to ensure the safety of the cat when to her surprise the cat stands on it’s two hind legs, brushes it self off, thanks Haru for saving his life and goes on his way leaving Haru flabbergasted. The cat, as it later turns out, is Prince Loon of the Kingdom of cats. Later that night, Haru is visited by a procession of cats as the King comes personally to thank Haru for saving his son’s life. The king’s retainer then gives Haru a scroll that shows what is to come in the way of repaying the debt and off they go back to the Kingdom of cats.
Thus starts the movie.
For those of you familiar with the movie Whispers of the Heart, you will be familiar with the character of Baron and also with the character of Muto who both play supporting characters in this movie.
I know this is a Studio Ghibli feature film but don’t expect anything epic. The Cat Returns is in no way close to the caliber that is Spirited Away or Princess Mononoke or any other productions from the studio. A lot of that apparently stems from the fact that this movie was originally scheduled to be a 20 minute animated short for the Land of Cats attraction that were to be part of the theme park for Studio Ghibli. As the plans for that attraction was scrapped, the short was to become a 45 minute television animation and which later turned into a feature film.
Watching the movie, you do indeed feel as if you are watching an extended TV cartoon. The story line is simple and basically non-climactic. The characters aren’t really fleshed out which is a bit of a disappointment and there really isn’t any real central characters. Sure there are times when you do end up somewhat liking certain characters but most of the time you don’t really feel for any of them.
With that being said, the film isn’t a big disappointment. The animation is simple and fluid in the classic Ghibli style. Characters are drawn as cute as ever and some background effects are amazing (such as the light from the sun shining off the glass during the sunset). Soundtrack wise the music is great and fits the mood of the film well (as do all of studio Ghibli films, my favorite of course being Castle in the Sky).
Personally I reviewed the 1 DVD version of the film. There is a 2 DVD version out there which includes the 20 minute animated short, “The Ghibli’s II” which is a short story about the day of an animation studio. This short was also included in the Theatrical release of the film The Cat Returns. As far as being an obvious take on Studio Ghibli itself, the title does make sure the viewer knows that it’s a made up story as the name is written with the emphasis on the “G” and the spelling is different in Japanese. (though in English it becomes the same spelling. Hmm…)
The Cat Returns is highly recommended watching for little moviegoers. With the simple story line and talking cats and birds and also with a trip to another enchanted land, the young ones will have no trouble following the movie. As for older viewers it’s a toss-up. Personally I did enjoy the movie as I just took it as a relaxing watch. But for those of you who expect a movie with meat and big substance and lots of things to talk about after seeing the film, then this movie isn’t for you. However, if you are a fan of Studio Ghibli as I am, watch this movie. Just don’t expect an epic and watch it for what it was originally meant to be – a little side story. Just think of it as a little appetizer until the next movie Howl’s Moving Castle directed by Hayao Miyazaki comes out in 2004.
[ Editor's note, Lee actually wrote this review before Howl's was released in theaters here in the US]
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