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Movies / On DVD / The Cat Returns
The Cat Returns

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The Cat Returns (2002)

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Reviews Counted:15

Fresh:14

Rotten:1

Average Rating:6.9/10

Rated: Not Rated

Runtime: 75 mins

Genre: Childrens

Synopsis: Studio Ghibli has garnered a reputation for itself as the finest of Animé production houses with films like MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO, PRINCESS MONONOKE, and SPIRITED AWAY. First-time director Hiroyuki... Studio Ghibli has garnered a reputation for itself as the finest of Animé production houses with films like MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO, PRINCESS MONONOKE, and SPIRITED AWAY. First-time director Hiroyuki Morita joins Ghibli's talented crew with THE CAT RETURNS (NEKO NO ONGAESHI). This follow-up to WHISPER OF THE HEART centers around young Haru, who rescues a cat from being run over. The cat is no ordinary feline, however--he is the Prince of the Cats, and for saving him Haru is brought into the Kingdom of Cats to be his bride. But her feline friends Muta and the Baron may have a plan to rescue her from this unusual fate. Like many of the Studio Ghibli films, THE CAT RETURNS is a modern day ALICE IN WONDERLAND, featuring a protagonist who takes a trip into a wondrous and strange fantasy setting. [More]

Starring: Chizuru Ikewaki

Starring: Chizuru Ikewaki

Director: Hiroyuki Morita

Director: Hiroyuki Morita

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Feb 22, 2005

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • The Cat Returns
  • Walt Disney Home Entertainment Presents A Studio Ghibli Film. From the creators of the Academy Award(R) winning SPIRITED AWAY (Best Animated Feature Film, 2002) comes the visually stunning THE CAT RETURNS, a spectacular animated journey to a world of magic and adventure. Haru, a schoolgirl bored by her ordinary routine, saves the life of an unusual cat, and suddenly her world is transformed beyond anything she ever imagined. The Cat King rewards her good deed with a flurry of presents, including a very shocking proposal of marriage to his son! Haru embarks on an unexpected journey to the Kingdom of Cats where her eyes are opened to a whole other world and her destiny is uncertain. To change her fate, she'll need to learn to believe in herself and appreciate her everyday life. Featuring the sensational voice talents of Anne Hathaway, Cary Elwes, Tim Curry, and Elliott Gould, THE CAT RETURNS is a magical animated adventure that will delight and inspire everyone.~~(c)2002 Nekonote-Do ? GNDHMT
  • Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment.
  •  
     
     
     

    Reviews for The Cat Returns

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    1 - 15 (sorted by date)
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    Director Morita does an exemplary job of bringing a Japanese graphic novel to the screen.

    Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
    09/01/08
    Robert Pardi
    Robert Pardi
    TV Guide's Movie Guide

    Catchy entertainment for kids and adults...

    Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
    09/01/08
    Lisa Nesselson
    Lisa Nesselson
    Variety
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Interesting and watchable, but definitely not up to Miyazaki's standards.

    Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
    09/01/08
    Daniel Etherington
    Daniel Etherington
    Channel 4 Film

    [Director] Morita has a slightly cruder, more realistic sense of the world and its looniness than does Miyazaki, and you can see where The Cat Returns moves on a different track even as it pays homage to Japan's current animation master.

    Full Review Source: Denver Post | comment Comment
    06/20/07
    Michael Booth
    Michael Booth
    Denver Post
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    ...moves along at a brisk clip and features a bright, vibrant animation style...

    Full Review Source: Reel Film Reviews | comment Comment
    08/05/06
    David Nusair
    David Nusair
    Reel Film Reviews

    The film has some of Miyazaki's exquisite timing, pacing and use of space.

    Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
    05/26/06
    Jeffrey M. Anderson
    Jeffrey M. Anderson
    Combustible Celluloid

    There's little tension or opportunity for emotional involvement in the brief story, and despite competent animation the cats are rarely anthropomorphised to good comic effect. One for anime -- and animal -- lovers only.

    Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
    04/01/06
    Anna Smith
    Anna Smith
    Empire Magazine

    Another enjoyable fantasy adventure from Studio Ghibli.

    Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
    02/09/06
    Wally Hammond
    Wally Hammond
    Time Out

    despite its exquisite artwork and expert voice cast, this still looks a bit like the bedraggled runt of the Ghibli litter.

    Full Review Source: Movie Gazette | comment Comment
    09/30/05
    Anton Bitel
    Anton Bitel
    Movie Gazette

    An enchanting, magical fable with a twisted vein of surrealism that makes you wonder exactly what they're smoking over there in the Land of the Rising Sun.

    Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
    05/24/05
    Neil Smith
    Neil Smith
    BBC

    The crescendo of craziness makes for a brisk, funny, and wholly unique 75-minute ride.

    Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com | comment Comment
    05/10/05
    Michael Dequina
    Michael Dequina
    TheMovieReport.com

    While the cats in this film are sentient, their attitude and egocentric behavior is strictly feline.

    Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
    04/02/05
    Uri Lessing
    Uri Lessing
    eFilmCritic.com

    With the frantic, infernal energy (and cats) and even a little of the barbed social satire of Mikhail Bulgakov's Master and Margarita.

    Full Review Source: Film Freak Central | comment Comment
    03/24/05
    Walter Chaw
    Walter Chaw
    Film Freak Central

    there are enough fun moments to make Cat worthwhile, especially if you're a fan of our feline friends

    Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
    03/10/05
    Christopher Null
    Christopher Null
    Filmcritic.com

    It's thoroughly engaging, especially as it begins to twist and turn into a kind of warped Alice in Wonderland.

    Full Review Source: Shadows on the Wall | comment Comment
    02/26/05
    Rich Cline
    Rich Cline
    Shadows on the Wall
     
     
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