So let's talk about Cats, the 2019 film directed by Tom Hooper. Is it the whimsical musical journey we hoped for, or did it leave us scratching our heads? This movie review dives into the genre-bending mix of Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy, and of course, those unforgettable songs. Spoiler alert: it's a strange concoction worth dissecting!
The plot of Cats revolves around the Jellicles, a tribe of cats deciding annually which member will ascend to the Heaviside Layer and return to a new Jellicle life. It's a dance-infused narrative—a bold attempt to bring Andrew Lloyd Webber's stage magic to the big screen. Yet, somewhere between all the CGI fur and peculiar songs, the story loses some of its intended spark. There's a promising theme lurking beneath—questions about identity, second chances, and community—but it sometimes gets lost in translation.
As for the acting, the film features Robbie Fairchild, Mette Narrative, Daniela Norman, Jaih Betote, and Larry Bourgeois. Their agility and commitment to portraying these feline characters are admirable. However, the performances are overshadowed by some questionable visual effects that make it hard to focus on any genuine emotion. Cinematography flickers between being breathtakingly artistic to overwhelmingly chaotic—Hooper's direction aims high but often falls short. And the screenplay by Lee Hall, Tom Hooper, and Andrew Lloyd Webber feels like it's stretching this whimsical world perhaps too thin.
Comparing Cats to other musicals and family films—say, The Greatest Showman or Les Misérables (also by Hooper)—highlights a stark contrast. While these films succeed in creating seamless musical adventures, Cats seems more like an odd trip to a disco-hosted cat show. Yet, they all share an audacious creativity, and perhaps Cats will find its charm in cult cinema over time. Go figure!
If you're a fan of fantasy and curious about quirky must-watch films, give Cats a chance. Sure, it might not be everyone's cup of tea—some might call it an acquired taste—but isn't that what film discovery is all about? So grab some popcorn, curl up on the couch, and dive into this whimsical bond of fantasy and felines!