Love animation, it was a big part of my life as a child, particularly Disney, Looney Tunes, Hanna Barbera, Studio Ghibli and Tom and Jerry, and still love it whether it's film, television or cartoons. With significantly broader knowledge of different directors, animation styles and studios, actually appreciate and love it even more now.
As has been said a few times already, 'When the Cat's Away' is fairly typical of Harmon-Ising, leaning towards the cute kind of cartoon with a lot of sentiment in alternative to the laugh a minute and hilarious kind, the latter being the one that a lot seem to prefer (understandably, though am hardly biased against the former). This approach has varied with Ising. In some instances it has been very sweet and charming, in others it can be cloying and too cutesy. Some fit in the former category, others in the latter category. Sadly, 'When the Cat's Away' is one of the latter category cartoons.
'When the Cat's Away' is not an unwatchable cartoon by all means. It may be underwhelming but there are redeeming values as well. Its best asset is the animation, it's vibrantly and atmospherically coloured and shaded, beautifully drawn and rich in meticulous background detail. The music is another big plus, it's lushly orchestrated, full of charm and character and fits with the visuals beautifully.
There are a few cute and charming moments. The rat is the most interesting character, being the only one to have any real personality.
On the other hand, the mice and cockroaches are bland and very difficult to endear to, they may have cute exteriors but their antics can leave a bad taste in the mouth. The story is barely existent and there are times when it drags hard.
Most of 'When the Cat's Away' is too saccharine and cloying and some of the distasteful antics render it mostly charmless. Was not expecting a laugh a minute or hilarious cartoon, but 'When the Cat's Away' is completely humourless (other than agreed the bit with the banana)even the sporadic moments that should have amused a little.
In summation, underwhelming. 4/10 Bethany Cox