Rating summary
| Movie |  | 4.0 |
| Video | | 4.0 |
| Audio | | 4.0 |
| Extras |  | 3.0 |
| Overall | | 4.0 |
The Cat Returns Blu-ray Movie Review
Reviewed by Dr. Stephen Larson January 6, 2018
In conjunction with Studio Ghibli and GKIDS, Shout! Factory has reissued director Hiroyuki Morita's The Cat Returns (2002), which was executive-produced by Hayao Miyazaki. The 2-disc Blu-ray and DVD set brings over nearly all of the same extras present on the 2015 Disney/Buena Vista release while adding a slim booklet. For thoughts on the movie and a critique of a/v specs, you can see my colleague Kenneth Brown's review of Disney's BD/DVD twin pack here.
This edition comes with a slipcover, an Elite case for the discs, and an exclusive booklet (see centerfold photo in Screenshot #3). Cover art on the slip and keep case covers is identical (see #s 1 and 10).
Front of slip cover and back of BD case.
The Cat Returns Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality
Shout! presents The Cat Returns in its original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1. The MPEG-4 AVC-encoded video transfer carries an average bitrate of 29999 kbps, which is nearly identical to Disney's mean bitrate of 31.30 Mbps. The whole Shout! disc boasts a total bitrate of 41.17 Mbps. The transfer looks very similar compared to the image presentation that Ken reviewed. Capture #s 5-9 are extracted from the new disc.
Shout! has broken the feature up into thirteen chapter selections.
The Cat Returns Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality
The Cat Returns's sound track options comprise the original Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 Surround (4094 kbps, 24-bit), an English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 alternate mix (4268 kbps, 24-bit), and a Dolby Digital 5.1 (448 kbps) dubbed in French.
There are three subtitling options: English SDH for the English sound track, English subtitles for the original language version, and French subtitles.
The Cat Returns Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras
- Feature-Length Storyboards (1:15:08, 1080p) - the UK Studio Canal and AU Madman Entertainment BDs offer the storyboards as picture-in-picture with the feature but that option isn't available here. The full-length storyboards are presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen.
- "The Making of The Cat Returns documentary (34:00, 480i)
- "Behind the Microphone" (9:04, 480i)
- Original Japanese Trailers (6:38, 1080p) Shout!'s press release and packaging also list TV spots but all I could find are a handful of TV spots.
- NEW Exclusive Booklet - the slim leaflet contains a statement by producer Toshio Suzuki and an interview with director Hiroyuki Morita (both in English). Seven color stills illustrate the pages.
The Cat Returns Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation
Brand new copies of the out-of-print Buena Vista disc fetch for $48 and up so at $17, Shout!'s Blu-ray/DVD combo makes for a nice investment for fans of anime. STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.
