Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

The Cat Returns Blu-ray Movie Review

"Nobody decides who I am but me!"

Reviewed by Kenneth Brown June 19, 2015

The Cat Returns is an interesting entry in the Studio Ghibli canon. What began as a cat-themed animated short (commissioned then unceremoniously cancelled by a Japanese theme park in 1999) soon became a testing ground for Hiroyuki Morita, who wished to graduate from animator (My Neighbors the Yamadas) to director. Working from the defunct theme park short and artist Aoi Hiiragi's corresponding manga ("Baron: The Cat Returns"), Morita developed a detailed 525-page storyboard proposal over nine months that so impressed project supervisor Hayao Miyazaki and producer Toshio Suzuki that the fledgling filmmaker was given an opportunity to really prove himself. Miyazaki's "Cat Project" was reborn as a theatrical feature.

A loose fantasy sequel to writer Hayao Miyazaki and director Yoshifumi Kondô's very grounded Whisper of the Heart (1995), The Cat Returns found success at home, topping the Japanese box office and earning quite a bit of acclaim. Yet the film has occasionally been dismissed by international audiences as a lesser effort; its critics grumbling about everything from its comparatively lackluster animation (key word comparatively) to its simplistic story and Miyazaki-lite trappings. Nonsense. No, the film isn't as memorable, poignant or breathtaking as the studio's best, but it has more than enough heart, charm and magical delights to stand proud amongst its more universally praised Ghibli brethren.

When Haru (Chizuru Ikewaki, Anne Hathaway), a clumsy schoolgirl bored with her ordinary routine, saves the life of an unusual feline, The Cat King (Tetsurō Tanba, Tim Curry) rewards her good deed with a flurry of presents, including a very shocking proposal of marriage to his son, Prince Lune (Takayuki Yamada, Andrew Bevis). Embarking on an unexpected journey to the Kingdom of Cats, Haru's eyes are opened to a whole other realm; one where her destiny is uncertain. Fortunately, she's not alone, meeting new friends and allies along the way that include the daring Baron Humbert von Gikkingen (Yoshihiko Hakamada, Cary Ewles), stone raven Toto (Yōsuke Saitō, Elliott Gould) and brave warrior Muta (Tetsu Watanabe, Peter Boyle). To change her fate, she'll need to learn to believe in herself and, in the process, learn to appreciate her everyday life.

Complaints about The Cat Returns aren't entirely unfounded. Its animation, while full of imagination and ambition, and proving more than effective, isn't quite up to Studio Ghibli's theatrical standards, resembling an animated television film produced on a slim budget. Its story, penned by TV anime veteran Reiko Yoshida, isn't as sweeping or profound as the likes of Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke or even My Neighbor Totoro. And Morita's vision does sometimes come off as imitation Miyazaki, as well as imitation Disney, rather than something wholly his own. (To the point that it remains the most Disney-like of the studio's animated films.) All valid criticisms. However, it's crucial to note that these criticisms are really only valid when comparing The Cat Returns to other Ghibli films. There's an ease and fluidity to its visuals, a deceptive simplicity to its script that's anything but, and a confidence in its drive and momentum that's undeniably characteristic of the studio's work. It isn't groundbreaking or jaw-dropping, but it also shouldn't be punished for being a breezy, lighthearted adventure in the vein of Miyazaki and fellow director Isao Takahata's more seasoned efforts. We should be cautious when measuring a good film against a masterpiece, and even more cautious when using a masterpiece to indict a good film.

Haru's journey into the Cat Kingdom unfolds slowly but wonderfully, embracing a more traditional childlike awe made convincing by Yoshida and Morita's grasp of her character. Spirited Away's Chihiro is thrust into a magical world and forced to adapt to her new reality or die. Haru follows a similar path and paradigm shift, but has the luxury of adjusting to the strange world she encounters through incremental discovery. Her trip down the rabbit hole recalls Alice in Wonderland, with Haru only realizing the danger of her circumstances after she's grown more comfortable with her surroundings. The resulting adventure is more pleasant than gripping, more disarming than riveting, and more suitable for younger children, but it also presents an intriguing world worth exploring and characters worth following. There's even a good bit of excitement to be had, particularly once The Cat King's sinister plans are revealed, Haru begins to transform into a cat, and the Baron and Muta stage a rescue. Cartoonish antics and comedy still trump drama and suspense, but again, there's no rule that says The Cat Returns should be Spirited Away, and no reason for any such rule to exist. Comparing Ghibli films to one another can help set expectations. Unfortunately, it can also lead to a fine film being dismissed as a lesser effort, a term that seems unduly harsh when discussing a perfectly enchanting fantasy.

The Cat Returns Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Blu-ray release of The Cat Returns features a solid 1080p/AVC-encoded video presentation; the only caveat being the original animation, which doesn't meet the high standards of other Studio Ghibli productions. In many ways, the film resembles an animated television production rather than a theatrical feature, with inconsistent line art and character animation that's, let's be honest, a bit lacking at times. Thankfully, Disney's efforts aren't as vulnerable to criticism. Upon first glance, I suspected noise reduction may have been used in some capacity. The image is almost entirely free of grain and color fills sometimes appear a bit flat and smeared. Closer inspection, though, led me farther and farther away from that initial concern. If noise reduction has been employed, it doesn't appear to have affected detail or background textures in any significant or alarming way. If. Otherwise, there isn't much to complain about. Colors are bright, lovely and accurately saturated, black levels are deep and contrast is satisfying, and the animation is about as crisp and clean as it could be. (Softer shots trace back to the source rather than the encode.) There also isn't any notable artifacting, banding, aliasing or ringing to report. It isn't an extraordinary presentation, but it's remarkable enough to warrant a high score, not to mention it's easily the best home video presentation of the film to date.

The Cat Returns Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Cat Returns offers two lossless audio options -- Japanese and English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround tracks -- and both are commendable. Voices are clear and intelligible (though not always as grounded in the soundscape as I'd prefer), effects are playful and precise, and near-perfect prioritization leaves little to be desired. LFE output is rather restrained on the whole but, when action erupts and chases ensue, it proves its worth. Likewise, rear speaker activity is pleasant but reserved; surrounding the listener with crowds of cats, the clangs of sword fights, the pitter patter of approaching feet during maze escapes, and the crumbling debris of a collapsing tower, but, on other occasions, the film's sound design is front heavy and somewhat two dimensional. The tracks are by no means disappointing, or even average. But they also aren't as consistently immersive as other Ghibli 5.1 surround mixes.

The Cat Returns Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Original Japanese Storyboards (HD, 75 minutes): Watch the film, comprised entirely of 1.85:1 Japanese storyboards. Audio is Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1 with optional English, English SDH and French subtitles.
• The Making of The Cat Returns (SD, 34 minutes): This lengthy Japanese-language production documentary (with English subtitles) features interviews with Hayao Miyazaki, producer Toshio Suzuki, manga artist Aoi Hiiragi, director Hiroyuki Morita, and other members of the voice cast and animation team, and delves into the genesis of the project, the development of the story, creating and realizing the characters and fantasy world, its connections to Whisper of the Heart, and much more.
• Behind the Microphone (SD, 9 minutes): Go behind the scenes of Disney's English dub with Anne Hathaway (Haru), Cary Elwes (Baron Humbert), Peter Boyle (Muta), Elliott Gould (Toto), Andy Richter (Natoru) and Tim Curry (The Cat King).
• Original Japanese Trailers (HD, 7 minutes): A collection of high definition trailers.
• Original Japanese TV Spots (SD, 3 minutes): Several TV spots round out the package.

The Cat Returns Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Cat Returns is a charming film that shouldn't be so quickly dismissed. It isn't Spirited Away, but how many animated movies are? There's real heart here, endearing characters to latch onto, and a strong coming of age tale with plenty to offer children of all ages. Disney's Blu-ray release delivers too, with a solid AV presentation and decent selection of special features. No, The Cat Returns isn't Ghibli's best, but that doesn't mean it isn't a good film. Those who give it a chance will be pleasantly surprised.