"The Cat Returns" tells the story of teenaged schoolgirl Haru, who saves a cat from being run down by a truck. To her shock and amazement, the cat rises onto its two hind feet and thanks her. The cat turns out to be the prince of the Kingdom of Cats, an alternate universe ruled and inhabited entirely by cats. As a sign of his gratitude, the King offers Haru his son's hand in marriage. The rest of the movie deals with how Haru initial attempts to fend off her prospective feline father-in-law's subjects and how she is brought to the Kingdom of Cats. The animation is splendid, like any other Studio Ghibli production. "The Cat Returns" also sees the return of two characters from "Whisper of the Heart", Baron the Baron Cat, and Muta, the grumpy "stray", who's fatter then ever! The movie is light-hearted and funny, though lacking the depth and grandeur of Miyazaki's films (Think "Laputa: The Castle in the Sky" and "Spirited Away"). "The Cat Returns" is an enjoyable and relaxing watch which combines fantasy and adventure. A treat for cat lovers. 7 on a scale of 10.
Review of The Cat Returns
