The Cat Returns

This 2002 animated classic grew out of legendary Hayao Miyazaki's concern that he had not done enough to cultivate the next generation of Studio Ghibli directors. The Cat Returns was handed to enthusiastic animator Hiroyuki Morita to direct, after the latter bowled over Miyazaki with a 500-page outline (told in storyboard sketches). Schoolgirl Haru (Anne Hathaway in the English language version) rescues a cat who turns out to be a prince (Andrew Bevis) from a feline kingdom in another world. The prince's father, the king (Peter Boyle), insists that Haru's reward should be her betrothal to the young royal, an honor that she doesn't want. Seeking help, Haru approaches the secretive Cat Bureau, run by the dapper and fearless Baron (Cary Elwes), who is something of a cross between Douglas Fairbanks and David Niven. Spirited adventures ensue, and while one can plainly see the influence of The Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland, the animation style is brimming with fresh ideas, including a staircase in the sky formed by crows. Presented in a dual-language Blu-ray/DVD Combo edition, rated G, extras include feature-length storyboards, behind-the-scenes featurettes, and a booklet. Highly recommended. (T. Keogh)