CATS – “An immensely bizarre feline fever dream set to music”

Cats

RATING

DIRECTOR

Tom Hooper (Les Miserables – 2012)

STARRING

  • James Corden as Bustopher Jones
  • Judi Dench as Old Deuteronomy
  • Jason Derulo as Rum Tum Tugger
  • Idris Elba as Macavity
  • Jennifer Hudson as Grizabella
  • Ian McKellen as Gus the Theatre Cat
  • Taylor Swift as Bombalurina
  • Rebel Wilson as Jennyanydots
  • Francesca Hayward as Victoria
  • Jaih Betote as Coricopat
  • Les Twins as Plato and Socrates

SYNOPSIS

Is based on the stage musical of the same name by Andrew Lloyd Webber, which in turn was based on the 1939 poetry collection Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T. S. Eliot.

A tribe of cats must decide yearly which one will ascend to the Heaviside Layer and come back to a new life.

REVIEW SUMMARY

Tom Hooper’s adaptation of the Broadway musical Cats is an immensely bizarre feline fever dream set to music. You think I’m kidding? Let’s see, it’s got: singing and dancing humanoid cats who stand up right and have no discernible genitalia, a “cat talent show” of sorts where the winner is awarded reincarnation via some chandelier balloon ride into the sky, a magical serial killer cat who, instead of killing, makes other cats disappear via teleportation powers, and well, do I need to go on? Let’s just say some “human catnip” may be in order to fully appreciate the odd spectacle taking place on screen. And making matters worse, the special effects are hit and miss throughout, with some shots looking strikingly dreamlike, while others just looking “off.” As for performances, the impressive cast assembled here is all but embarrassing to watch, with perhaps Jennifer Hudson and Taylor Swift being the better “cats” in the “litter,” thanks mostly to their singing capabilities. Honestly though, this is just one movie you’ll need to see to believe for yourself. Cat lovers be warned though, this might just turn you into a “dog person” by the end of it.

BOX OFFICE TOP 5

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8.5

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