Friday Movie Review - Milo and Otis

For this Friday's Reader Request movie review, we turn to Gandalf and Grayson, and their selection of "The Adventures of Milo and Otis."

The Adventures of Milo and Otis (1986)
originally Koneko Monogatari
Directed by:Masanori Hata
Written by:Masanori Hata and Mark Saltzman

Milo is one lucky cat. He's got nine lives and a best friend.

This movie is all about the strong bonds of friendship. Milo, a ginger tabby, and Otis, a pug, are born and grow up together on the same farm. Even though Milo is a kitty and Otis is a doggie, they form a strong friendship. Milo loves to hide in special, secret spots to try to outwit Otis' sharp doggie nose. One day, Milo chooses the wrong hiding spot and is swept downriver in a box! Otis is beside himself and does his best to follow and help his friend. However, despite his best efforts, Otis loses track of Milo. Thus begins the adventures of Milo and Otis, with Milo simply trying to survive and Otis trying desperately to find his best friend.

This is a very cute movie, and is suitable for kittens and puppies of all ages - even sticky little beans. However, I must warn you that there are several tense moments in this movie that I know for certain bothered my mommy. Milo's pitiful cries for help as he is swept towards a waterfall - Milo's stunning fall off of a cliff - Milo's cries as he falls into a deep pit. Situations fraught with danger follow both Milo and Otis wherever they go, but especially Milo. Rest assured that all ends happily and no kitty or doggie is ever injured, but it still tugs at the heartstrings and makes you want to reach into the screen to save your furry friend.

The scenery is stunning and it is amazing how well acted the parts are. Neither Otis nor Milo ever mess up a line or look anything less than in the moment during the entire film. I certainly believe they both deserve aCATamy awards!

I give "The Adventures of Milo and Otis" two paws up and a purr for being a movie that is family friendly, all about furries, and has a cuteness quota off the charts!