Cats

Cats is one of the most beloved and most mocked musicals of all time. Andrew Lloyd Webber's take on TS Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats is surely a weird musical. As a lad, me and my family left halfway through one production. As an adult, I stayed through another. As an even older adult, I stayed through Tom Hooper's big screen take of the story. It's a decent movie if you have the right mood.

Victoria the white cat (Francesca Hayward) is dumped on the streets of London. The "Jellicle" Cats rescue her and welcome her to their world. Tonight, the Jellicles wait for Old Deuteronomy (Judi Dench) to choose a cat who can travel up to the "Heavyside Layer" to be reborn. Victoria is introduced to some of the cats who wish to be picked.

1. Jennyanydots (Rebel Wilson) sleeps all day and reforms the vermin at night.

2. Bustopher Jones (James Corden) is the fat cat about town.

 3. Gus (Ian McKellen) is the old theater cat.

4. Skimbleshanks (Steven McRae) keeps the trains running.

5. Mr. Mistofelees (Laurie Davidson) is the magic cat.

6. Rum Tum Tugger (Jason Terulo) is the wild and crazy cat.

Lurking in the background is Grizabella the Glamour Cat (Jennifer Hudson), the pariah of the Jellicles. Victoria takes pity on her and decides to give her the spotlight. Meanwhile, the diabolical Macavity (Idris Elba) plots to become the Jellicle Choice by default. How will the Jellicles get out of this one?

The Cats themselves may make or break the film. The film's "digital fur technology" visualizes humanoid Cats with very human looking faces. Even Jennyanydots' vermin friends have humanish faces. Creepy, no? But it does add to the surreality of the numbers, such as the opening Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats.

To many a chagrin, the film's effects team are one of ten that are now shortlisted for Oscar notice. Not mine, though. I wasn't bothered by the Cats' faces as I thought I'd be. Their expressiveness works wonders for Grizabella's scenes, especially her iconic number, Memory. I was more bothered by the vermins' human faces than the Cats. Still, they look like real creatures instead of obvious cartoons.

The other technicals are hard to disagree with. The songs are still spectacular after many years. Memory is as emotional (or unbearable) as you may remember it. The film's new song, Beautiful Ghosts, is surprisingly effective. Taylor Swift, who co-wrote the song with Webber, co-stars as Macavity's moll, Bombalurina, who sings Macavity's praises. Meanwhile, the digital cats play in real sets designed by Eve Stewart. Cinematographer Christopher Ross captures some exquisite imagery, especially during the moonlight Jellicle Ball.

Hooper and Lee Hall's screenplay expands the story beyond Eliot's text. Oh yes, there is a story. On stage, the Cats tell the audience about themselves. On film, the Cats tell Victoria about themselves. The plot still has the audience/Victoria led around the city to meet other Cats. Meanwhile, Macavity whisks away other Jellicles to a barge captained by Growltiger (Ray Winstone). It's not a thorough plot, but it's an understandable one.

There's a great cast here. Victoria is a good lead, even if her biggest moments are near the end. Mr. Mistofelees and Old Deuteronomy are good cats, too. Elba, Corden and McKellen play their parts with giddy enthusiasm. Swift's "cameo" is the film's one-scene wonder. Let's not forget Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer, Macavity's twin henchcats, or Munkustrap (Robbie Fairchild), one of Victoria's Jellicle guides.

So what is Cats? Its simple plot may bore some, while its visual effects may turn others off. But for me, it's a surprisingly appropriate take on a weird musical. The cast's musical performances transcend their digital cat suits. There's supposed to be an updated print coming this week with improved visual effects. I think I saw the original print today. Fortunately, it wasn't a total cat-a-clysm.

Meow...