Cats (2019)

Ratings: ⭐⭐½

This Hollywood adaptation of the smash Broadway musical hit Cats by the famed Andrew Lloyd Webber  directed by Academy Award winning director, Tom Hooper (who also directed The King's Speech, Les Miserables and The Danish Girl) was literally murdered by the critics even before opening night. Full length reviews were even written to condemn and ridicule the movie's trailer!! The reviews were so venomous and unanimous, it made even some members of the cast voiced their own dissatisfaction of the movie instead of helping to promote it. Well, I suppose we are living in strange times, and these days nothing should surprise us anymore. The new norm is to expect the unexpected. Reading the reviews I found that most were harping and making fun of the Cats costumes and CGI applied on the actors. To be frank, I found this approach in critising the movie a bit childish and unfair. Anyone who have seen the stage performance of Cats has no problems seeing people dressed by in fancy and loud cat costumes, and I fail to see why a CGI-ed version of this would be offensive to anyone to the extent of the level of condemnation projected on the movie.

In its defense, I for one did not find the CGI-ed version that terrible and certainly not enough to distract me from enjoying the movie and its music. However, that does not mean I loved this movie either. Cats had never been on my list of favourite musicals from Andrew Lloyd Webber simply because I never could find myself identifying with the story and also the songs were all forgettable with the exception of its signature hit, Memories. This is certainly not in the same league as The Phantom of the Opera or Les Miserables where we get to marvel at one powerful song after another. Hence, it is virtually impossible for me to thoroughly enjoy this, since its fundamental theme and content were already not my taste. On the plus side, I did appreciate the beautiful and colourful sets that director Tom Hooper has created for this. Plus, he has a dream cast that includes Idris Elba, Ian Mckellen, James Corden, Dame Judi Dench, Jason Derulo, Rebel Wilson, Jennifer Hudson and even Taylor Swift!! The casting of Francesca Hayward as the main character, the abandoned cat Victoria who finds herself drawn into the amazing world of streetwise "jellicle cats,",as to me perfect as she has the personality, voice and dance moves. I also liked the actor playing the Jellicle cat who introduces Victoria their world, Munkustrap, played by Robbie Fairchild. Apparently both Francesca and Robbie are professional dancers and we can see that from their slick moves with ballet influence. Many of the singing were great including those from the American Idol finalist and Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson. However, I do have to admit that Judi Dench and Ian Mckellen were struggling with their numbers which were the low points of the movie. Rebel Wilson and James Corden are also no singers but at least their act were funny. Taylor Swift was well ... Taylor Swift in a cat costume.

In conclusion, I would say this Cats was not as terrible as what the critics would like you to believe. It has its moments but I do agree that it is not a movie that I will remember or expect to win awards. I think any Andrew Lloyd Webber fan would probably enjoy this better than most others. Just manage your expectations and don't compare this to Tom Hooper's amazing Les Miserables.