Cats
31/12/19 Filed in: Cinema
It’s been savaged by the critics and audience figures aren’t much to shout about, but disregarding these prophets of doom we went to see Cats.
Some people seem to have been spooked by the very fact that humans were dressed as cats while still displaying obvious human physiology. Quite a weird criticism when you think what the CGI special affects have thrown at us over recent years in terms of humanoid distortions. Others simply haven’t enjoyed the film and the fact that it was re-edited shortly after release hasn’t added to its appeal.
So, what did I think? It starts slowly and without an obvious story line. Virtually all the dialogue is sung and given that the inspiration was a book of poems, it’s perhaps not surprising that this literary dialogue with the initially weak story line have not been well received. The story, which does in fact become clearer as we move forward, revolves around Victoria kitten, played absolutely delightfully by Francesca Hayward of the Royal Ballet. Petite, pretty and with a sweet voice to accompany her exquisite dancing, for me she stole the show. There are a number of other big names of course.
As with the theatre show the plot progresses through a succession of song and dance numbers featuring the various cats, which leads up to the Jellicle Ball. One lucky cat will be chosen at the ball to go to the Heaviside Layer, offering it the chance of a new life. Depending on your taste you might find some of these numbers more satisfying than others. James Corden as Bustopher Jones is amusing and offers a rare piece of unsung comic dialogue. Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer's mischievous adventures with Victoria kitten also provide some light-hearted fun. On the other hand I didn’t find Rebel Wilson’s Jennyanydots piece particularly appealing.
Royal Ballet’s Steven McRae as Skimbleshanks provides a tap routine worthy of Fred Astaire while Idris Elba is sufficiently nasty as the evil Macavity, ably assisted by femme fatale Bombalurina played by none other than Taylor Swift. I was expecting more of a cameo from her, based on the trailer, but she gets a full-blown number.
And, of course, there is the song Memories, on this occasion sung by Jennifer Hudson as Grizabella. Judi Dench, the original choice for Grizabella when the stage musical was being cast, returns here as Old Deuteromony. Meanwhile, Ian McKellan as Gus the Theatre Cat shows his pedigree with a truly old-hand’s performance.
I honestly can’t see why the reviews have been so negative. The whole cast put their soul into the performance, the dancing is superb and the songs, which we more or less already know, are well delivered. Just stick with it and once the story gets going there’s really not too much to complain about.
Royal Ballet’s Steven McRae as Skimbleshanks provides a tap routine worthy of Fred Astaire while Idris Elba is sufficiently nasty as the evil Macavity, ably assisted by femme fatale Bombalurina played by none other than Taylor Swift. I was expecting more of a cameo from her, based on the trailer, but she gets a full-blown number.
And, of course, there is the song Memories, on this occasion sung by Jennifer Hudson as Grizabella. Judi Dench, the original choice for Grizabella when the stage musical was being cast, returns here as Old Deuteromony. Meanwhile, Ian McKellan as Gus the Theatre Cat shows his pedigree with a truly old-hand’s performance.
I honestly can’t see why the reviews have been so negative. The whole cast put their soul into the performance, the dancing is superb and the songs, which we more or less already know, are well delivered. Just stick with it and once the story gets going there’s really not too much to complain about.