Cats Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A bunch of cats with unsettlingly human faces sing and dance their way through a competition to die and be reborn, all while a villainous cat tries to rig the game.

🍿 Cats: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to the Jellicle Cats

The film opens with Victoria, a young white cat, being abandoned on the streets of London. She is quickly introduced to the Jellicle cats, a tribe preparing for their annual Jellicle Ball. Munkustrap and other Jellicles guide Victoria, showcasing their unique world and the upcoming competition. The central premise revolves around the cats competing to be chosen by Old Deuteronomy for a new life in the Heaviside Layer.

The Jellicle Ball and Competitors

The Jellicle Ball introduces various contestants, each presenting themselves through song and dance. These include Jennyanydots, the Gumbie cat who trains mice; Rum Tum Tugger, the charismatic and indecisive cat; Bustopher Jones, a large and respected cat; and Skimbleshanks, the railway cat who oversees the trains. Each performance offers a glimpse into the personalities and roles of the Jellicle cats.

Macavity’s Interference and Grizabella’s Plea

The Jellicle Ball is disrupted by Macavity, a mysterious and villainous cat with teleportation abilities. He kidnaps Old Deuteronomy and other contestants, aiming to secure the prize for himself. Amidst the chaos, Grizabella, an outcast cat, returns to the tribe, seeking acceptance. Victoria empathizes with Grizabella’s longing for belonging. Grizabella’s performance of “Memory” deeply moves the Jellicles.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Victoria (Francesca Hayward): A newly abandoned young cat who is introduced to the Jellicle tribe and their customs.
• Old Deuteronomy (Judi Dench): The wise and respected matriarch of the Jellicle cats, responsible for choosing which cat ascends to the Heaviside Layer.
• Macavity (Idris Elba): A notorious criminal cat with the power to teleport who attempts to become the Jellicle Choice through deceit.
• Grizabella (Jennifer Hudson): A former glamour cat, now an outcast, who yearns for acceptance and a second chance.
• Mr. Mistoffelees (Laurie Davidson): A magical cat with the power to conjure things, who plays a key role in restoring order and helping the Jellicles.
• Munkustrap (Robbie Fairchild): A leader among the Jellicles who guides Victoria and helps maintain order within the tribe.
• Rum Tum Tugger (Jason Derulo): An extravagant and popular Jellicle cat who is known for his indecisiveness and captivating performances.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Old Deuteronomy: “The naming of cats is a difficult matter, it isn’t just one of your holiday games.” – Spoken during ‘The Naming of Cats,’ emphasizing the importance and mystery surrounding cat names.
• Grizabella: “Memory, all alone in the moonlight. I can smile at the old days, I was beautiful then.” – From the song ‘Memory,’ sung by Grizabella, reflecting on her past and longing for acceptance.
• Rum Tum Tugger: “The Rum Tum Tugger is a curious cat: If you offer him pheasant he would rather have grouse.” – The Rum Tum Tugger introduces himself through song and tells of his contrary and capricious nature.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $95,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $27,166,770
• Worldwide Gross: $75,558,925

💥 Cats Reviews

Personal Review

I went into this movie expecting a fun, campy musical, but what I got was… something else. The CGI cats were deeply unsettling, and I honestly spent most of the runtime trying to figure out what I was even watching. Jennifer Hudson’s ‘Memory’ was powerful, but it couldn’t save the whole thing. I left the theater confused and slightly disturbed. It’s definitely an experience I won’t soon forget, but not in a good way.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of the stage musical (with reservations)”
  • “Those curious about infamous movie flops”
  • “Viewers interested in experimental cinema (unintentionally)”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Unsettling CGI visuals”
  • “Some frightening imagery for young children”
  • “Themes of abandonment and social exclusion”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “Sorry to pile on, but in my 55 years I have never walked out of a movie until now. We had high hopes, we love musicals, but good lord, this was awful on every level.
• Empire Magazine: “A bewildering, frequently horrifying spectacle that feels less like a movie and more like a fever dream. Even if you’re a fan of the stage musical, this big-screen adaptation is best avoided.
• Rolling Stone: “The lowest of the low. The movie is an approximation of a nightmare and should only be viewed in extreme conditions with a bucket of liquor and a friend to talk you down.

Audience Reactions

The CGI was deeply unsettling and took away from enjoying the film: Most people found the visual effects off-putting and distracting.

Jennifer Hudson’s performance of “Memory” was a standout moment.: Her rendition was emotionally resonant and powerful.

Overall Consensus: Generally panned by critics and audiences alike, who found the CGI unsettling, the plot confusing, and the overall experience bizarre and unpleasant. Some appreciated individual performances, but they couldn’t salvage the film.

Awards

1. Razzie Award (Worst Picture)- 2020
2. Razzie Award (Worst Director)- 2020
3. Razzie Award (Worst Screenplay)- 2020
4. Razzie Award (Worst Supporting Actress)- 2020
5. Razzie Award (Worst Screen Combo)- 2020
6. Golden Raspberry Awards (Worst Visual Effects)- 2020

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Universal Pictures announced they would be releasing a new version with updated CGI just two days after its release.”
• “Many cast members had extensive dance backgrounds, which was essential for the film’s demanding choreography.”
• “The film features a new song, ‘Beautiful Ghosts,’ co-written by Taylor Swift and Andrew Lloyd Webber specifically for the movie.”
• “The scale of the sets was designed to make the actors appear cat-sized, leading to oversized props and environments.”

🖥️ How to Watch Cats?

Cats (2019) is currently available for streaming rental or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check local listings for television airings. Physical copies on Blu-ray and DVD can be purchased from major retailers. Availability may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Cats, you might like these similar films:

• Les Misérables (2012): Directed by Tom Hooper, shares the same musical format and grandiose style.
• The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975): A cult classic musical with a unique and unconventional style that defies easy categorization.
• The Wiz (1978): An all-black cast singing and dancing musical take on the Wizard of Oz, a similar era musical with a distinctive vision.

🛒 Cats Related Products

• Cats: Highlights From The Motion Picture Soundtrack: Enjoy the music from the movie anytime, anywhere. This album features key musical numbers including Memory, Beautiful Ghosts, and more. Get the digital version for instant access to all of your favorite tracks.
• Funko Pop! Movies: Cats – Old Deuteronomy: Bring home a stylized collectible figure from the movie Cats! This Old Deuteronomy Funko Pop figure is a perfect addition to any collection. Display it proudly on your desk or shelf.
• Cats Movie Poster: Decorate your walls with this iconic Cats movie poster. Printed on high-quality paper, this poster is sure to catch the eye of any movie enthusiast. A great conversation starter for any room.
• The Complete Book of Practical Cats: Delve into the T.S. Eliot poems that inspired the original stage production and the movie. This book offers a deeper understanding of the characters and themes of the Cats universe.

🎧 Soundtrack

Cats features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Memory” – performed by Jennifer Hudson
• “Beautiful Ghosts” – performed by Francesca Hayward & Taylor Swift
• “The Rum Tum Tugger” – performed by Jason Derulo
• “Mr. Mistoffelees” – performed by Laurie Davidson
• “Macavity: The Mystery Cat” – performed by Taylor Swift

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

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Godzilla vs. Kong? Nah, try Godzilla vs. CAT! This OwlKitty parody is absolutely purr-fect (sorry, I had to!). It’s short, sweet, and surprisingly well-made – you won’t regret watching it.

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