The Cat: A Simplistic Story Boosted by Amusingly Over-the-Top Action (Limited Edition Blu-ray)

The Film:

When someone is familiar with the name of Chinese filmmaker Lam Ngai Kai, it's usually because of his 1991 cult favorite film "Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky," which is primarily known for its rather intense violence. However, around the same time, he did another film that would go on to have some cult notoriety as well, though for a completely different reason. "The Cat," based on the novel "Old Cat" by Ni Kuang, comes from the "Wisely" series of adventure books, and incorporates science fiction, horror, action, and even a little humor into quite a strange & wild ride.

To celebrate this lesser-known work of the director, 88 Films is bringing the film to Blu-ray for the first time in North America, not only providing a phenomenal upgrade of the film, but also throwing in a few extras as well, so, as usual, it's time to go back and delve into this bizarre little outing to see what it has to offer. Does it perhaps deserve something more than just a cult status, or is this one right where it belongs in the course of cinema history?

Told primarily from the viewpoint of adventure novelist Wisely (Waise Lee), he tells us of how his friend Li Tung (Lawrence Lau) was awoken one night by strange hammering coming from his upstairs neighbors. He investigates and finds a man (Lau Siu-ming), a girl (Gloria Yip), and a cat in the apartment, all of whom depart the next day in a moving van. After they leave, Li Tung goes into their apartment and discovers what police identify as cat intestines.

Meanwhile, the man (Errol), the girl, and the cat steal an artifact from a museum, one that they know to be a weapon. They escape with it, but not before being attack by a mysterious monster. Wisely is able to track them down to their new address, where he comes into contact with the trio, whom he eventually learns are aliens attempting to return to their home planet. However, they are being hunted by a creature that is trying to prevent them from doing so. Will Wisely and his partner, Pai So (Christine Ng), be able to help them get home before the monster gets to them?

"The Cat" is one of those films where it's probably best not to be too discerning in regards to the story it's trying to tell. It does a fine job setting it up, but if one tries to take it too seriously, it may cause more than a little eye-rolling & scoffing at its rather silly developments (magical transportation particles?) and somewhat gaping plot holes (the trio's planet has been invaded, and yet this invasion is never mentioned again as they desperately try to get back home), so it's best to view it with a completely open mind & a firm suspension of disbelief in order to take it in with the adventurous spirit with which it was made.

What truly ends up being the star here are the off-the-wall special effects, most of which were clearly done on the cheap end of the scale, but which give it a rather amusing charm. The encounters with the monster at the museum, the apartment, and in the climactic finale are particularly silly highlights, but none of them hold a candle to the absolutely bonkers fight between the alien cat and a large dog in a junkyard. It's doubtful that you'll see a more epic, more exciting, or more memorable cat vs. dog fight in any film throughout cinema history, so much so that trying to describe it would not begin to do it justice. Suffice it to say that if the film is remembered for anything at all, it's this bizarre, over-the-top sequence.

When all is said and done at the end of these brief 89 minutes, its clear that the somewhat simplistic story was not the strongest part of the endeavor, but there's still a fair amount of entertainment value to be had with its delightfully campy action sequences, and indeed that would seem to be the reason that the film has gained something of a cult following in the 33 years since its release. You may not remember much else about it when the film is over, but in the end, when you've found yourself charmingly amused by a lot of the silliness you've just seen, it's hard to dismiss it entirely.

Video/Audio:

"The Cat" comes to Blu-ray in a 1.85:1, 1080p High Definition transfer of excellent quality. The picture is quite sharp & clear throughout its entire 89-minute duration, perfectly highlighting its multitude of visual effects. Likewise, the 2.0 LPCM audio track is fantastic, giving you all of the dialogue, sound effects, and music in outstanding quality. Overall, 88 Films has done a marvelous job in both areas for the film's North American Blu-ray debut.

Special Features:

Audio Commentary by Hong Kong Cinema Expert Frank Djeng

Japanese Cut (87 Minutes)

Interview with Writer Gordon Chan (22 Minutes): An extensive interview with the writer in which he discusses topics such as how he became involved and how he adapted the novel.

Conclusion:

Lam Ngai Kai's "The Cat" may not be remembered for its somewhat simplistic story of a trio of aliens trying to get back home while being hunted by a monster, but thanks to several over-the-top action sequences that feature delightfully silly special effects, it manages to provide a fair amount of entertainment value that has given the film something of a cult following over the last few decades, ultimately making this sci-fi-horror-actioner a rather bizarre mixed bag.

Score: 3/5

Available on Limited Edition Blu-ray starting today.

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