Anime fans, feline lovers unite: ‘The Cat Returns’

Above: The 2002 animated film "The Cat Returns" will screen Sunday and Monday at select theaters. (Photo/Fathom Events)

As part of the ongoing Studio Ghibli Fest, at least four area theaters will be screening the animated film “The Cat Returns” on Sunday and Monday.

The 2002 film, which was directed by Hiroyuki Morita, will screen in a dubberd version at 3 and 7 p.m. Sunday at three Regal Cinemas theaters (Northtown Mall, Spokane Valley and Coeur d’Alene’s Riverstone Stadium) and at AMC River Park Square.

Monday’s subtitled version will screen at the same four theaters at 7 p.m.

The dubbed version features the voice talents of such actors as Cary Elwes, Anne Hathaway, Elliott Gould and Tim Curry.

The film, which is based on the manga of the same title by Aoi Hiragi, tells the story of a young girl named Haru. Because she saves the life of a stray cat, she is given a special opportunity. It turns out the cat she saved is a prince of the Cat Kingdom.

This is only the beginning of Haru’s adventure, though, which has her teaming up with a couple of cats (including one from the 1995 Studio Ghibli feature “Whisper of the Heart”) and nearly being turned into a cat herself before returning to her own world, with a renewed sense of confidence.

Neil Smith of BBC.com wrote, “An enchanting, magical fable with a twisted vein of surrealism that makes you wonder exactly what they're smoking over there in the Land of the Rising Sun.”

Lisa Nesselson of Variety agreed, describing Hiragi’s film as “Catchy entertainment for kids and adults.”

Not to mention kid and adult owners of cats.