2019 was a weird year for a lot of reasons, but it really outdid itself when Cats came out in December.
The first film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical of the same name was highly-anticipated, but after its release, it was met with only a $6.5 million box office opening and enough negative (though entertaining) feedback to send this feline frenzy running under the couch. The original musical, which opened in 1981, is known for being somewhat of an avant-garde piece, but it was also one of Broadway’s longest-running musicals. It was weird, but that was kinda the point.
Cats may not be the most beloved film of 2019, but here are 5 things we loved about it!
1. The film was being worked on right up until the final hours before its star-studded premiere.
Not even the cast saw it before it went up on the big screen in London. This created problems when viewers saw that the film had some major visual errors, including Dame Judi Dench’s human hand just chilling out. The technology used in the film is incredible -- even if it resulted in some mishaps, the innovation in the film is still worth some snaps.
This isn’t a joke: CATS was rushed into theaters before being finished so a new version is being sent to theaters with updated effects. How do you know if you have the old version? Look for Judi Dench’s human hand, wedding ring and all. pic.twitter.com/VDUOevePU9
— Jenelle Riley (@jenelleriley) December 22, 2019
2. “Cats” did some things we’re unsure about, but one thing we do love is the cast!
Taylor Swift as the enigmatic Bombalurina shows up briefly, but memorably, and we wish she had more screentime! And come ON, Jennifer Hudson’s performance of “Memory” is just so silky and smooth and good.
3. “Cats” is inherently a little weird, and that’s not really the movie’s fault.
One thing we love about Cats is that, if you are a lover of the original score and the original spirit of the piece, we think you’ll find it in the film. Cats is campy, dramatic, sultry, sometimes straight-up uncomfortable, and sometimes just really beautiful.
4. You may be watching some disturbing/weird stuff in this movie, but you’re not watching bad dancing!
Many audience members have pointed to the talented ensemble cast of Cats, with experienced, gifted dancers providing the background felines to the star-studded leads.
5. Cats stays very close to the original material.
A lot of reviews complain that the movie has no plot, but the stage musical never had one either! This is a musical about some cats, some sexual tension, and catnip. When were you promised a story? You were promised Sir Ian McKellan putting it all on the line, Rebel Wilson dancing with cockroaches, and newcomer Francesca Hayward giving what is probably the first of many very good performances. You weren’t promised cohesion, you were promised a good time!
Cats is now playing & purring in theatres everywhere!