Parents' Guide to

Cats

By Lynnette Nicholas, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Big-screen musical adaptation is both strange and magical.

Movie PG 2019 110 minutes
Cats Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 10+

Based on 65 parent reviews

MamaRocStar
MamaRocStar Adult
February 10, 2021
age 9+

Why is everyone Hating?

If you are a Cat lover, and who isn’t really?? (Cat vids outnumber all others on every platform.)We appreciate their playful antics, that can be very familiar to us “Hoomans.” So Why Not enjoy a a playful musical, playing on all the fun of Cats! Great music, fun costumes, & beautiful theater. But if you are looking for a riveting plot, not the right movie..but seems quite appropriate as what would a story be like if your cat could tell you..Probably JUST LIKE THIS. The cat costumes can be a bit sensual, (not overtly imo) but again, what do expect when you have a cat story..So maybe not great for that tender age when everything is seen as sexual (mainly puberty when Full of hormones) But use your judgement there’s no sex, violence, language drug use or even consumerism. Great message of acceptance, And friendships. We really enjoyed it.
Msberann
Msberann Adult
January 25, 2021
age 6+

Actually really nice movie!! Don't let the promotion fool you!

Seriously, those people who complaints so much about this movie are clearly not familiar with its source material! CATS was first a book, that then became a stage musical which, despite its mixed critics, have gotten a fanbase through the years. So it's only appropriate that they now made a movie version out of it. And for people, like myself, who haven't seen the stage show, it's actually really nice of them to make a movie version to experience at home. Not everyone are able travel to New York, or wherever it is,to see it. And don't let the promotion fool you, I mean, it is CATS! What else did you expect them to look like?? At least they tried to make them look kinda justice to the stage show. Ok, let's talk about the movie itself. It is basically a story about the hard life as a street cat and how they are kinda living through all of it. I don't wanna say more or this review will be too long. But it is very nice, cute and a little bit sad. And the cast did a great job. I think the message is pretty much about respecting cats just as much as human. So I would defenitly recommend this movie if you love musicals and want to see something a little different. And again for those people who's totally sawing it to pieces, should defenitly give it a fair chance before they tend to do so.
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What's the Story?

Director Tom Hooper's adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's long-running musical CATS (which, in turn, was based on T.S. Eliot's 1939 poetry collection Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats) stays true to the original production, which first debuted on May 11, 1981. The story follows a tribe of cats called the Jellicles over the course of one night as they prepare to present themselves to Old Deuteronomy (Judi Dench) in hopes of being chosen as the one cat who will ascend to the Heaviside Layer and come back to a new life. Abandoned as a small kitten but full of love and empathy, Victoria (Francesca Hayward) longs to belong. Rejected and full of pain over a life passed, Grizabella (Jennifer Hudson) must muster the courage to embrace new beginnings. And an entire tribe of cats comes to learn that life has a way of figuring itself out, whether in this one or the next.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (65 ):
Kids say (98 ):

Though it teeters on the verge of being strange, there's still something quite magical and elegant about Hooper's adaptation of Webber's classic show. Bringing a musical from stage to screen is no easy feat, but he pulls it off. That said, for those who aren't familiar with musical theater, acting for the stage, or the performing arts in general, the movie may at times be tough to follow. The pace is frequently slow, and the backstory and character development could be more detailed. But theater lovers new and old will appreciate this take on the popular musical -- and considering that it's been many years since Cats closed on Broadway, the movie is a great way to introduce a new generation to Eliot and Webber's work. The old-world feel, dimly lit set design, and rustic vibe are refreshing. Some of the CGI affects can feel unrealistic, but the beautiful vocals, the synchronized dance sequences, and the story's touching messages help make up for that. The soundtrack is very appropriate, soft and beautiful.

But how's the cast? Well, Hudson, Hayward, and Jason Derulo are definite standouts in their roles. As Rum Tum Tugger, Derulo is lively and entertaining, a scene stealer. As Grizabella, Hudson demonstrates great emotional range and gets to show off her stellar vocals. Hayward has a meek innocence as Victoria that lends itself to great vulnerability and transparency on-screen; she's lovely to watch. As Macavity, Idris Elba is a stretch, but his ability to take on his character's cynicism and dark nature shows his range. James Corden as Bustopher Jones is entertaining to say the least, and Taylor Swift as Bombularina is fun, seductive, and naughty -- her take on the character just works. Watching Rebel Wilson commit to playing Jennyanydots is lots of fun, and veteran actress Dench is quite fitting as the wise sage Old Deuteronomy. The dance choreography, paired with the songs, helps the entire ensemble shine. Seeing all these classically trained dancers and singers perform offers a positive example for kids and young adults, proving that hard work and discipline have benefits. And the movie's positive themes -- finding the courage to let go of pain, embracing new beginnings, and understanding that you belong -- are worth noting. It can be strange and over the top, but Cats is also unique, and there's something to be said for that.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about some of Cats' major themes, including the idea of an underdog getting a new beginning. In what ways are Victoria and Grizabella given a new beginning in this movie? What are some of the obstacles that they overcome?

  • Though a kitten, Victoria has a compassionate heart. In what ways does Victoria show empathy and compassion for Grizabella? In what way does Victoria inspire Grizabella to try to live again? In what ways does Grizabella eventually show courage?

  • Old Deuteronomy is a very wise cat who's had the opportunity to live many lives. In her old age and wisdom, what character strengths does she display? In the movie, she rejects the request of the always conniving Macavity. What does her decision to deny his request say about her integrity?

  • In the movie, the entire cast works as an ensemble. What is an ensemble? In what ways does working as an ensemble require humility, discipline, and teamwork?

  • The performing arts are heavily featured in the film. How do dancing, singing, and poetry contribute to the production?

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