The Cat Returns (prod. Hayao Miyazaki)

[angel_eyes]

Up for pre-order at a no. of places - just wondering if anyone has seen this or knows anything more about it?

I think it features the cat from 'Whisper's of the Heart' (written by Miyazaki) - was this actually any good?

[DCH]

Yes. It's quite different from Whispers - more like the dream/book sequences from that film with a bit of an Alice in Wonderland vibe. It's short (less than 80mins I think) but satisfying and if you're a Whispers fan it's a must have.

[jonathan.e]

Whispers of the Heart is great but quite untypical of the other Ghibli’s.

[angel_eyes]

Originally posted by jonathan.e
Whispers of the Heart is great but quite untypical of the other Ghibli’s.

think I may have to add this to my next order with dddhouse now :D

I'm curious about the 'untypical of Ghiblis' - what exactly do you mean? (BTW I've only seen Mononoke & Spirited Away) It's not aimed at the young un's is it?

[Shingster]

Whisper of the Heart was written by Miyazaki & it is very much atypical Ghibli brilliance.

[Brian Blessed Badger]

Originally posted by angel_eyes
think I may have to add this to my next order with dddhouse now :D

I'm curious about the 'untypical of Ghiblis' - what exactly do you mean? (BTW I've only seen Mononoke & Spirited Away) It's not aimed at the young un's is it?

It's untypical in the way that the Miyazaki ones (Nausicaa/Laputa/Totoro/Kiki/Porco Rosso
/Mononoke/Spirited) have much more fantasy/adventure elements to them (IMHO)

Whereas some the others (Fireflies/Only Yesterday/Whisper/Yamadas) are more realistic (Whisper does have some fantasy elements but are more imagination based than real) . I hadn't expected to enjoy Whisper (or Only Yesterday) as much as I did - as it's about a youngish girl growing up in Japan. I can imagine people who expect more of the first kind being disapointed though.

There are of course the others (Pom Poko/Cat Returns) which fall into the main category

Phil

[Shingster]

Well tbh I think each Ghibli title pretty much have their own feel but surely if you want to single out one title as being the most "untypical" then it has to the either be the rather downbeat & tragic Graveyard of the Fireflies or the joyous insanity & comic strip nature of My Neighbour the Yamadas.

Spirited Away, My neighbour Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service, Only Yesterday, Ocean Waves & Whisper of the Heart all have similar themes if you focus in on certain aspects of their stories. Even the people who've only been exposed to the Miyazaki directed pieces will find plenty of moments in Whisper that they'll recognise as having that "Miyazaki feel" (Certainly the Kiki fans will).

[jdanielp]

saw The Cat Returns today and it was enjoyable but felt rather lightweight and inconsequential in comparison to the likes of Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke although it was quite humourous. probably a film that would be appreciated most by cat fans (of which i am one) and Ghibli completists (i'm working on it) :dork:

[Dr Derek Doctors]

I loved it. I enjoyed it easily as much as any of Miyazaki's films, probably due to the high quotient of humour and a really good western voice cast (Peter Boyle in particular).

[BiscLimpkit]

I just watched this last night and it is superb. A bitesized Ghibli (only 75 mins long). Cute and delightful little animation.

[Alan b]

Moving to World Cinema and DVD Forum