The long running musical has hit the big screen, (directed by Tom Cooper) and without a clear plot, it may well be best to leave this to the stage rather then the cinema screen.
In defending the plot, this musical has always been about the spectacular theatrical experience rather then the story line. But when watching this unfold on a screen over nearly two hours, time does seem to drag, especially at the star of this film where there seems to be a slow pace to the film.
We ultimately witness all the cats attend the annual Jellicle Ball where they all compete for a brand new life which is bestowed onto the chosen cat by Old Deuteronomy played by Judy Dench.
And speaking of the actors, if you were like me hanging out to see Taylor Swift in this movie, I advise you to enjoy the few scenes she has. But we do hear a new song written by her and Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber called Beautiful Ghosts which is absolutely stunning.
The lineup of stars in this film is impressive ( Rebel Wilson, James Corden, Jason Derulo Idris Elba. Ian McKellen and Jennifer Hudson) with Rebel’s character of Jennyanydots generating lots of laughs. Jason Derulo as Rum Tum Tugger and Jennifer Hudson as Grizabella are standout actors in the film.
The musical score is amazing and the dance choreography is excellent, but overall as an epic movie production, I think it has fallen short of being judged to be an epic film.
Cats is an epic stage musical but as a movie, it has swollen a fur ball.
Review by Tony Polese
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