Cat Returns, The (Neko No Ongaeshi) (Blu-ray) (2002)

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General		Extras
Category	Anime	Main Menu Introduction Main Menu Audio & Animation Theatrical Trailer Multiple Angles-Alternative Angle Storyboards Featurette-Making Of Trailer-Studio Ghibli Trailers (3) Reversible Cover Featurette-Behind the Microphone Trailer-Trailers and Promo Spots
Rating
Year Of Production	2002
Running Time	75:00
RSDL / Flipper	Dual Layered	Cast & Crew
Start Up	Menu
Region Coding	2,4	Directed By	Hiroyuki Morita
Studio Distributor	Madman Entertainment	Starring	Chizuru Ikewaki Yoshihiko Hakamada Aki Maeda Hitomi Sato Tetsu Watanabe Yōsuke Saitō Tetsuro Tamba Peter Boyle Tim Curry Cary Elwes Elliott Gould
Case	Standard Blu-ray
RPI	?	Music	Yuji Nomi Naoya Tanaka

Video		Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame	None	English DTS HD Master Audio 5.1 Japanese DTS HD Master Audio 5.1
Widescreen Aspect Ratio	1.85:1
16x9 Enhancement
Video Format	1080p
Original Aspect Ratio	1.85:1	Miscellaneous
Jacket Pictures	No
Subtitles	English	Smoking	No
		Annoying Product Placement	No
		Action In or After Credits	No

     The Cat Returns is the latest film from Studio Ghibli to be released on Blu-ray in our Region. It is a slight but enjoyable story about a young girl and her journey into the Cat Kingdom.

     The Cat Returns is a sequel of sorts. The character of the Baron, a dignified and well-dressed cat, appeared in a fantasy sequence in the otherwise non-fantastical Whisper of the Heart. The DVD of The Cat Returns was reviewed on our site many years ago by Rob G when the Studio Ghibli Collection was released. His review can be found here . A reader commented that the film title is more correctly translated as "the cat returns a favour". This makes more sense in the overall storyline.

     Haru is a teenage girl with the usual problems. She likes to sleep in, likes to get to school late and likes a boy at school who doesn't seem to know that she exists. One day when walking with a friend Haru sees an extraordinary sight. A cat is attempting to cross a busy road bearing a small but beautiful package. It is clear the feline is in extraordinary danger. When Haru races across the road to save the cat she not only saves his life (or one of them!) but also changes her own. The fact that he stands up on his hind legs and begins to talk to her is just the start of a weird life for Haru.

     Later that night she is visited by the Cat King who points out that the cat she saved was none other than his son and that she is to be showered with gifts as a result. These gifts aren't exactly what she wanted. A whole collection of mice for her to eat! Hundreds of lacrosse sticks. The problems really start when the Cat Ambassador reveals to her a great honour - she is to be taken to the Cat Kingdom where she will marry the Prince!

     The Cat Returns is a lovely story with some great characterisations. The setup is enjoyable but the action really starts when Haru goes to the Cat Embassy to try to find a way out of her fate. There she meets the charming Baron and his companions, the enormous fatcat Muta and the raven Toto.

     The film might lack some of the complexities of later Studio Ghibli films but it is still an enchanting tale well told. As always the question is whether this is an essential purchase for those who already have the film in a collection. That depends upon whether the audio and visual experience is greatly improved and whether there are a number of extras not previously seen on the DVD.

Video

     The Cat Returns comes to Blu-ray in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio consistent with the cinematic aspect ratio. The film was originally designed as a short film but the story was expanded make it into feature length.

     In visual terms it has the usual beauty we have come to expect from Studio Ghibli with beautiful backdrops and finely detailed environments. The transfer is much superior to that described by Rob G in his review.

     The colours are bright and clear. The lines are sharp and there was no evidence of aliasing. There are no technical defects with the transfer.

     Subtitles are included in English. The subtitles bear comparison, if only slight, to the spoken words.

Video Ratings Summary

Sharpness
Shadow Detail
Colour
Grain/Pixelization
Film-To-Video Artefacts
Film Artefacts
Overall

Audio

     This Blu-ray contains both an English language soundtrack and a Japanese original soundtrack. Both are DTS HD Master Audio 5.1 tracks.

     The sound is crisp and clear throughout.

     There are no technical defects with the sound transfer.

     Both tracks have their merits. Anne Hathaway makes an endearing Haru in the English language version and the Baron is superbly voiced by Cary Elwes. I preferred the Cat King in the Japanese version, not that there is anything wrong with the English performance by Tim Curry in the role, but rather that the script is a little perverse in his dialogue.

     The score is wonderfully conveyed in the higher bit rate soundtrack.

Audio Ratings Summary

Dialogue
Audio Sync
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts
Surround Channel Use
Subwoofer
Overall

     As has been the case with previous releases most of the extras are simply ported over from the DVD. They don't look particularly good and are non-anamorphic.

     The original extras with the DVD were as follows:

• Theatrical Trailers
• Multiple Angles-Alternative Angle Storyboards
• Featurette-Making Of
• Trailer-Studio Ghibli Collection
• Reversible Cover Slick

     The Blu-ray also contains the following:

Behind the Microphone

     This short feature contains interviews with the English language cast members of the film. Some of the material is already in the Making of feature. Worth a watch.

Original Japanese Promos

Original Japanese Trailers

     Both these contain numerous short trailers and promos for the film.

    The film has had a UK release but not a US release yet. There do not appear to be any differences in the product between UK and our Region. Buy local.

    The Cat Returns is a worthy addition to the Studio Ghibli catalogue. Truth be told, the Blu-ray sound and picture upgrade give extra life to the film however those who have the DVD and are happy with it may not see a reason to upgrade.

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall