A Cat in Paris

(PG) Madman DVD

Dino the cat has a double life: by day he’s the loyal and beloved pet of Zoe, by night a rooftop-roaming thief.

Zoe is a lonely little girl who lives with her busy single mother Jeanne, a police detective. But, after sundown when Zoe goes to sleep, Dino sneaks off to accompany debonair cat burglar Nico and their nightly prowls take them on breathtaking escapades across the rooftops of Paris.

Eventually, Zoe discovers what Dino is up to and she too becomes drawn into a thrilling adventure involving jewels, gangsters and trouble, all leading to a nail-biting and acrobatic finale atop the gothic Notre Dame.

With Disney no longer doing traditionally animated (hand-drawn) feature films, this sort of film has become a rare treasure.

Every cell has been hand-painted with beautiful, vibrant colours and the simple story that channels Hitchcock’s To Catch a Thief is gorgeous to look at and listen to, with its retro jazz soundtrack.

A whimsical delight, A Cat in Paris will enthral lovers of the City of Light and enchant feline fans and anyone who loves a bit of mystery and adventure — whether they are young or old.

Adrian Drayton