Tom Hooper's film adaptation of the musical show Cats was widely panned in 2019 for several reasons. Critics didn't like its disturbingly hyper-realistic CGI or the hypersexuality of the cat-humans and accused it of having no real plot and many other issues that turned a majority of viewers off from the movie.
However, the movie had plenty of redeeming points if watched objectively, and a lot of the criticism felt like herd commentary that everybody seemed to have to conform to the consensus. Cats was the movie to be mocked at that hour, so it received a lot more flak than it should have, yet it's not quite as terrible as it is claimed to be.
It's Faithful To The Original
Many critics and audiences alike called the movie plotless and meandering, but the movie actually stuck to the original musical show's narrative quite faithfully. The show, based on Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats (1939) by T. S. Eliot, had the premise of humans dressed as cats, dancing and frolicking their way through life, and hoping to make it to the Heaviside Layer for the chance at a better life.
The movie was very faithful to its source material, which in itself was pretty surreal, so it's only natural that the cinematic version would be too. Perhaps it's one of those musicals that shouldn't be adapted into a movie, but it was and the canonical content was followed to the tee.
It Birthed A Collaboration Between Andrew Lloyd Weber & Taylor Swift
It's not often that people get to see and hear a fantastic collaboration between two musical greats, and Cats gave people "Beautiful Ghosts," a lovely original song written by Taylor Swift and composed with Andrew Lloyd Weber.
Taylor Swift also appeared in the movie in the role of Bombalurina, Macavity's sidekick, and sang the original song of the same name in the movie. However, her original song was definitely a highlight in the movie and captured the soul of the musical, perfectly.
It Had An Amazing Cast
Under all the furry coats and tails in Cats lurked a truly magnificent cast. Musical heavyweights like Jennifer Hudson, Jason Derulo, and Taylor Swift accompanied movie big wigs like Judi Dench in the role of Old Deuteronomy, Sir Ian McKellen, James Corden, Rebel Wilson, Idris Elba, and more, who lit up the screen with their performances.
The movie makes for a great watch if viewers can see past the characters as felines and concentrate on the acting chops of these respected performers through the adaptation.
The Choreography Was Beautiful
Famed for his impeccable choreography for In The Heights, Hamilton, and Bandstand, Andy Blankenbuehler also composed the dance moves for Cats, and the ensemble and individual dances by the actors and singers alike are quite delightful to watch.
Francesca Hayward, the principal dancer of the Royal Ballet in Londonm was cast as Victoria the white cat, and her ballet moves are clean, nimble, and a joy to behold. Dance is an important part of any musical, and Cats excelled in this department.
It's Something Completely New
It's easy to fall into line and criticize a movie that is being put through its paces, but the Cats movie did what no other movie has done before, and that is a creative milestone in itself. Few other directors had the idea to turn their actors into human/feline hybrids, and stick to costuming instead.
In due time, the novelty and imagination behind the movie will be recognized, as will the bold ambition that Tom Hooper showed in his version of the musical. With an open mind, the movie can be an over-the-top, campy romp that can be enjoyed immensely.
The Set Design Was Impeccable
A careful look at the surroundings of Cats tells a story of great set design: the neon-lit city of the night filled with milk bars, larger-than-life human homes, putrid waste dumps, dark alleyways and a sun-drenched city center filled with humanoid cats.
One of the reasons fans of the musical were excited for Cats was the rich world that was created for the film, which included giant doors with doorknobs as high as the average human to mimic the delicate stature of cats in a human world. The art and set design were very pretty to look at and get immersed into.
The Original Songs Were Performed Well
Except for "Beautiful Ghosts," Cats maintained the original songs from the Broadway musical, which were sung really well by the cast of the movie. Songs like "Macavity," "Mr. Mistoffelees," "The Jellicle Ball," "Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer" and "Memory" were masterfully re-created for the movie and were a treat to hear for fans of the musical as well as first-time Cats viewers.
By definition, a musical's songs are perhaps its most important part and Tom Hooper's passed with its good vocals and foot-tapping melodies.
It's A Fun Ride
If viewers can put aside preconceived notions about the movie from what they've heard about it from their neighbors, critics, and friends, the movie has all the elements for a fun festive watch: it has songs, dance, some villainy, a bit of love, and visual effects like never seen before.
The Jellicle cats were quite an enjoyable bunch, as were the antics they got up to during dark nights. Victoria's story of fitting in, along with Grizabella's redemption, the ball for cats, and Macavity's treachery are entertaining and surreally good to watch.