The Cat Returns- One of My All Time Favorite Movies

The Cat Returns- One of My All Time Favorite Movies 

Ever since I was about eleven I have loved the studio Ghibli film The Cat Returns. Unlike the many other award winning films this studio has made, The Cat Returns is commonly unknown in the United States. I find this to be a terrible shame. Not only is the tale enduring, the artwork has this simple serene appearance. Our female protagonist Haru is one of the most realistic teenage girls I've seen in animation. The plot of the film revolves around the clumsy, but kind Haru who saves a cat from death. Soon after she finds that the cat she saved was actually a prince from the Cat Kingdom and a hilarious line of events ensues. Eventually Haru is abducted and brought to the Cat Kingdom, a place where only those that believe in themselves should enter. Slowly, Haru begins to turn into a cat. Soon she must find a way to escape, by learning to believe in herself, or she'll be a cat forever. I just love everything about this film. The overall look of the film connects with the simplistic storyline. The characters are just as adorable as the plot. Haru is incredibly relatable and her fluid movements easily portray her insecurities as well as personality. Baron, Haru's knight in shinning armor, is a valiant cat that comes to her aid along with his companion Muuta. Muuta is an extremely large cat with an ego to match, but has a heart of gold. Each character interplays so well with one another and creates this funny, yet endearing cast. Also, the cast has a number of respectable actors from a younger Anne Hathaway to Tim Curry, Cary Elwes, and the late Peter Boyle. Their voices add another layer to the adorableness of the film. The overall message is also great for young girls, which is to believe in themselves. Overall I just find everything about this cute little movie endearing. From their use of light colors and simple character animation to the well-designed characters themselves, The Cat Returns creates a world all its own. A place that I will frequently revisit for years to come.