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Movies / Upcoming / The Cat Returns
The Cat Returns

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The Cat Returns (2002)

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93 %
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Reviews Counted:15

Fresh:14

Rotten:1

Average Rating:6.9/10

Runtime: 75 mins

Genre: Childrens

US Box Office: $0

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]

Reviews for The Cat Returns

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1 - 15 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
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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

...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
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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
 
 
1 - 15 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
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