The Cat Returns Movie Review

The Cat Returns Movie Review

Studio Ghibli recently released it’s popular title The Cat Returns on Blu-Ray for the first time ever.  Fans of Japanese cartoons would truly enjoy this graphic novel turned movie.  The Cat Returns is available in stores now for purchase.  My family and I received a copy for review purposes, any opinions expressed are our own.

About The Cat Returns:

From the Studio that brought you “Spirited Away,” comes the visually stunning “The Cat Returns.” 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. To change her fate, she’ll need to learn to believe in herself and, in the process, she will learn to appreciate her everyday life. For the first time ever on Disney Blu-ray comes “The Cat Returns,” a magical animated adventure that will delight and inspire everyone.

My Thoughts:

I wasn’t sure what The Cat Returns would be about but when the movies arrived looking at the box it looked like a title the kids would enjoy.  The movie follows Haru played by Anne Hathaway through a weird series of events.  It starts with Haru waking up later for school and starting off her day badly.  We’ve all been there before.  On her way home with one of her friends a lovely cat crosses her path and stops her in her tracks.  She starts to observe the cat and notice its crossing the street, when she realizes the cat is in danger she risks her own life to save the cat.  It’s in the moment she realizes this cat isn’t like any other cat she’s seen before.  The cat stood up on hind legs, dust him self off and thanked Haru for saving her life.  He told her he would return to thank her properly later and ran off.

Later that night Haru receives a visit from the Cat King at home.  He came to thank her for saving his son’s life.  They presented her with a list of gifts and she thought nothing of it.  It’s clear she thought it was a dream, who would think talking cats came to visit them.  Soon Haru realizes that saving that cat’s life could mean major changes for her life when she is offered the prince’s hand in marriage.  Determined to find a way out of the marriage Haru goes off to find the Cat Bureau where she hopes they can help her get out of her predicament.

Haru meets the Baron and he must rescue her from the Cat King which takes them on an amazing adventure.  The Cat Returns is an incredible story with amazing animation.  My kids ages 7 & 8 both enjoyed this movie so much they asked to watch it immediately after watching it the first time.  Aside from having to explain some things to them they were able to enjoy it and understand the story.  The Cat Returns reminds us that sometimes our good intentions don’t turn out with the outcome we want.  Although Haru faced a difficult journey as a result of her helping the prince, she did make some good friends and learned that not everyone has bad intentions.

The Cat Returns would make a great addition to any movie collection and I recommend that you add it to yours, especially if you are a fan of Japanese cartoons.  You won’t want to pass up on this opportunity.

Related articles

• Blu-ray Today: Spirited Away Is All That Matters (toplessrobot.com)
• Studio Ghibli’s SPIRITED AWAY and THE CAT RETURNS Arrive on Blu-ray (nerdist.com)
• Studio Ghibli’s ‘Spirited Away’ Is a Magical Adventure (losangelesstory.blogspot.com)
• REVIEW: Studio Ghibli’s ‘Spirited Away’ And ‘The Cat Returns’ On Blu-Ray (sacramento.cbslocal.com)