“Always believe in yourself. Do this and wherever you are, you will have nothing to fear.” – Baron Humbert von Gikkingen
Among the DVDs I have to watch, I chose The Cat Returns mainly because it was the shortest, with a running time of only 75 minutes. So, do not be surprised if this review turns out short as well.
Since watching Princess Mononoke three years ago, I have established that Hayao Miyazaki has a certain effect on me. His animated films are so captivating that they never fail to tickle my inner child. Interestingly, Miyazaki did not direct all films attributed to him. The Cat Returns is among them.
Directed by Hiroyuki Morita and conceptualized by Hayao Miyazaki, The Cat Returns tells the story of Haru, a high school girl who becomes bored with her life. An ordinary day becomes extraordinary when she saves a cat from being hit by a truck. The cat, she learns, happens to be the sole heir of the Cat Kingdom. Soon, she finds herself being generously awarded for her good deed, including a shocking proposal to marry the cat prince! Desperate to change her fate, Haru seeks the help of the Cat Bureau, headed by the noble gentle-cat known as the Baron.
I am very fond of children’s animated films because they are my trusted de-stressors. There is a certain lightness to it that allows my mind to relax and helps shut everything else off temporarily. Like other Studio Ghibli films, The Cat Returns is straightforward but magical. This is considered a ’sequel’ to Whisper of the Heart, although it merely illustrates Shizuku’s fictional tale about the Baron that she had to write for her class.
There are a few things that are noteworthy about The Cat Returns. First, Miyazaki used a female protagonist in the story, just as he had done so in other Studio Ghibli films (except Porco Rosso). Second, the element of magic is present. This, I think, makes his tales charming. Third, the relationship between man and nature is once again explored. Fourth, conflict is internal. More weight is placed upon the resolution of personal issues. And fifth, it stresses the importance of believing in and trusting oneself.
For a moment, I fell in love with the Baron. He is the epitome of chivalry. Sadly, men like that do not exist nowadays. Haha. I hope Studio Ghibli comes up with another movie, this time telling the story of the Baron and his mistress. I have not seen an animated film for a while so watching The Cat Returns is a wonderful experience.
4 out of 5 Stars
-Timmy
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