The Cat Returns

While “The Cat Returns,” released in 2002, may not be one of the famous attempts from the Ghibli studio, it definitely fits in with the studio’s style. Matt Hinrichs said in his review, “In his sole Ghibli credit as director, Reiko Yoshida guided this surprisingly non-snarky, tradition-steeped tale with a sense of benevolence, vibrancy, and a dash of Japanese mysticism.” It’s a great movie for kids, but adults will also appreciate the colorful imagery and complete insanity of it.

Following the familiar Ghibli storyboard of the innocent girl taken into a strange, secret world, “The Cat Returns” is about Haru (Anne Hathaway), an attractively absentminded, kind of clumsy high school student in the city with her mother (Kristine Sutherland). While walking back from school with her friend, voiced by Kristen Bell, one day, she sees a grey cat holding a package in its mouth, trying to cross a busy street. After she saves the cat from getting run over, she finds out that the unique cat with two differently-colored eyes (who can stand on two legs) is actually Lune, the Prince of the Cat Kingdom, voiced by Andrew Bevis. To thank her for saving their monarch’s life, Haru becomes popular to the local cat population and the receiver of many embarrassing gifts. She’s also mistakenly believed by Lune as being his bride-to-be, a mistake she tries to correct by getting entrance into the Cat Kingdom via Muta, a strong, fuzzy white cat, voiced by Peter Boyle. She does try to reach the prince in his palace with the help of Muta and the Baron, a nicely dressed cat who previously appeared in “Whisper of the Heart,” reprised by Cary Elwes. Hinrichs said, “Haru's supernatural ability to talk to cats and empathize with their feelings helps her on this journey of self-discovery.”

Hinrichs goes on to say, “Like its leggy heroine, The Cat Returns comes off a little bit gawky with its mixture of contemporary, anime-style comedy and straightforward, visually lavish fairy tale imagery. Its breezy, uncomplicated story winds up sweet, cute, and funny, however.” As soon as the character of Haru gets access to the Cat Kingdom, the movie becomes real Ghibli in putting the girl in as many awkward spots as possible. First, she tries to navigate tea time in the Baron’s congested yet perfectly decorated, cat-sized home. Next, she is being prepared for the wedding at the palace of the formidable King of the Cats, not realizing that her own obedience means slowly transfiguring into a cat with pointy ears and whiskers. Hinrichs said, “Although the finale fails to match the grandiosity of Ghibli films like Howl's Moving Castle, it still entertains with a frantic chase, the reveal of the Prince's true love, and Haru's realization that she just needed a confidence boost to make it through her crazy life.”

Like the other Ghibli releases made for American release by Disney, “The Cat Returns” has a well-done English-language dub. Hinrichs said, “Anne Hathaway as Haru does a nice job, although she missing the spontaneity and "cute" inflections of Japanese actress Chizuru Ikewaki.” The best thing the American casting directors did was to re-think the role of the King’s obedient worker, Natori. Given a woman’s voice on the original Japanese version, it’s voiced in English with a lot more, as Hinrichs calls, “weaselly flair” by Conan’s sidekick, the great Andy Richter.

Hinrichs credits, “Endearingly cute, full of broad physical comedy and wondrous set pieces, Studio Ghibli's The Cat Returns doesn't have any grand ambitions other than relating a simple, uplifiting modern-day fairy tale.” This is a perfect viewing for kids, adults and anyone who has thought what their cat is up to when they aren’t in the house.

I have to admit, when I was watching this, I thought it would be one of your usual weird high school movies. However, the film quickly took a sudden turn and went straight into a direction that I had never seen Ghibli take before. If you’re a cat lover, this film is for you. Actually, anyone should see this because it’s actually a very entertaining film. Don’t skip this one when you’re watching the Ghibli movies.

Look out tomorrow where I defend a movie that is wrongfully hated and very underrated, but still not as good as some of the other films in “Studio Ghibli Month.”