Cats 2019 vs Cats 1998 - Film Review

joeltempero.com
All content reacted to in this video belongs to Universal & NBC.

[@pixie-bug]

I could genuinely spend the rest of my life listen to people talk about how much they love the 1998 Cats film

[@Shastasnow]

It has a surprisingly positive fan community. Rare to find.

[@neolithiumproduction]

I'm always happy to meet fellow fans of the film. I hate to think new generations might associate CATS with this recent movie. *sigh*

[@Hewene]

This! I'm so sad they haven't published the 1998 film as soundtrack, they had full symphony orchestra and the performances are so good :(

[@TheStephSavic]

As a kid I learned all the dances in my tiny bedroom, there will always be a special place in my heart for that version!!

[@ladyofstayne]

Me and my sister watched it obsessively when we were in high school. ❤️❤️❤️ We drove our parents crazy. Lol.

[@xTunafishx]

I find it hilarious that the Cats movie is full of just weird sexual things that are just uncomfortable, but Rum Tum Tugger, who's personality is basically a rampant sexy cat stud, was toned down in the film... like wat?!

[@computergutz4736]

They made him heterosexual

[@hydrashii]

Not only they toned down all his sexual movements, which weren't few Also they no-homoed him real hard lmao

[@keiraoliver1705]

I was disappointed when I noticed that Mr. Misto was not portrayed in a relationship with Rum Tum Tugger, like it was in the play. Maybe it wasn’t supposed to be like that in the pro shot, but Misto throwed a frickin rainbow flag. Disappointed.

[@angrymal1345]

Keira Oliver well they weren’t together in the play BUT they did flirt and have a lot of sexual tension but then there’s also a theory there brothers 🤭

[@thenerdytiger9306]

@@angrymal1345 rum tum tugger is munkustrap's brother. They are the sons of old Deuteronomy.

[@leaisafag]

when i was younger i went to this show with a white cat plush and victoria was creeping and crawling down the aisles and i was sitting in the front row. she crawled right up to me and started to play with the plush and pointed to herself and i was like 6 so i just kinda sat there and pat her head for a sec the audience interaction is actually so amazing and sweet i love it😭❤️

[@christalcavanaugh]

What a lovely memory! I didn’t know much about Cats until these videos came out, so I love hearing stories of people who grew up loving the production!

[@MilesL.auto-train4013]

​@@christalcavanaugha lovely _memory,_ heheh.

[@ShortSkullDog]

Ohp​@@MilesL.auto-train4013

[@cat-con5849]

​@@MilesL.auto-train4013 I see what you did there XD

[@Elleina1907]

I had a VERY similar experience!! I was younger than 6 (3 or 4, I think), and one of the cats crawled right up to me and let me pet her fuzzy head while kind of headbutting my hand (the way cats do), and my dad (who was sitting next to me) told her "I like your ears!"

[@xandra7211]

Joel: "I just hope they don't [insert thing that Cats (2019) definitely did do]"

[@AnxietyRat]

Lmao I was thinking the same thing!

[@cromulentwords]

"I don't know who's playing Skimbleshanks. Good." Damn straight. Steven McRae is one of the best guys the Royal Ballet ever had. The only positive observations from critics about the new movie was that Skimbleshanks was fucking lit.

[@blue_bottle]

skimbleshanks is ALWAYS fucking lit 😔✊

[@flamepunk8683]

The one uniting thing I seem to find about people who either hate, or love the movie version, is that skimbleshanks and steven mcrae are the shining beacon of it all, literally the ONLY bit that actually works, and in some places, surpasses the musical version.

[@lydias2012]

I saw the movie, did not know anything about McRae.. All I have to say is wow and I understand why he is a lead in the London ballet. There was no CGI except his tail and flying up in the air. The rest was real and jaw dropping.

[@grossteilfahrer]

Also his number was one of the few that kept the tempo steady and danceable. It mustve been hell to dance with all the tempo shifts and rubberbanding going on in other numbers.. Its a musical, music matters..

[@cromulentwords]

@@grossteilfahrer Yep. One critic pointed out that the best vocal performances in the movie were from dancers, as they kept to the beat by habit. Steven McRae is keeping time with his foot during his song, even when he's not dancing.

[@Ludovicae]

Cats is absolutely the horniest musical around, but in a way kids don‘t really notice.

[@LadyDragonbane]

I'm inclined to agree with you. I used to watch it all the time when I was little but my friend wasn't allowed to and it was only in trying to understand why her parents didn't like it I started realising.

[@AnxietyRat]

100% it flew over my 8 year old head. I found the way the cats reacted to Tugger.... Strange as a child... But I'm a lesbian now so that might have been why lmao but yeah the kinda sexual parts... I only saw it when I rewatched it as an adult.

[@yunamchill9169]

Strangely, I've always noticed those sexual undertones and I've felt so uncomfortable. Now that I'm both asexual and panromantic, those bits are perfectly explainable and I've discovered the sweet sweet ship of Misto/Tugger. I mean, I should have known I'm not straight much sooner.

[@D-me-dream-smp]

A bit like Grease. I remember seeing it as a kid in the 80’s and of course everyone knew the songs but then I saw it years later and was totally shocked.

[@GuiSmith]

I will disagree with you on one specific note. Cats has a lot of sexually suggestive bits, but it feels less sexual in and of itself than some other shows. The horniest musical is the one with an eight minute dirge about the time two of the main characters boinked that one time Beneath a Moonless Sky, incidentally also a Lloyd Webber production and the stage show equivalent of this filmic monstrosity in terms of how it’s flopped.

[@kanashiirobotto]

When I left the screening, I heard a kid say "why was there so much singing" .....what? It's a musical, why was there so much dialogue!

[@rosssimpson1643]

Technically for it to be a musical it has to have dialogue, otherwise it's an opera

[@rose-ui6hk]

@@rosssimpson1643 sung-through musicals are still musicals en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sung-through

[@kimy770]

That kid never watched a disney movie lol

[@afreerobin5939]

Joel, talking about the Mister Mistoffelees song: They better not mess this one up. Me, who's seen the 2019 movie: 😬

[@luckyloppy934]

Same 😂😂😂

[@azurechan]

I mean, the entire time he talks about what he likes about the 1998 production, I make that face.

[@mindyschocolate]

Lol “😬” 😂😂😂😂😂

[@maddiedoesntkno]

It’s like getting yanked by the seatbelt when your mum slams the brakes on

[@TheLalacream]

@@maddiedoesntkno over and over and over again

[@officerdoge690]

1998: Wow Macavity is so evil and mysterious! 2019: Macavity arrested for cyber bullying Good review man! Keep up the good work

[@jenneacubero1036]

1998 Macavity: Darth Maul Cat. 2019 Macavity: GOOD GRIEF, HE'S NAKED!!

[@jasonparker3925]

Child abuse lol

[@anneshields2010]

Yeah he is really evil and so is Bombalurina she shocked me and she is ment to be Macavaty’s lover you can see that how she defends him but in the stage show she was good but it was said that Macavaty Bombalurina and Demeter were very close once and also he had Grizabella too he’s quite a player that Macavaty

[@FoxloidShiroko]

ahh sorry, i just want to point out a detail about Real Cats that i love-- the reason grizabella was accepted back was BECAUSE victoria touched her. touch is kind of a big thing in this show, it's how they express not just affection but community to each other. when old deuteronomy comes, the kittens all embrace him, everyone wants to touch him. when he's brought back, mr.mistoffelees gives him a big hug and a kiss. the kittens and cats in general are all very physically affectionate to each other. but every time grizabella appears, they scatter and don't want to be anywhere near her, and the elders hurry the kittens away and swat their paws away from touching her. her presence is always punctuated with her looking down and extending her paw behind her, hoping that someone will touch her, ending her exile and accepting her back into the group. to be touched is to be a part of the collective and to be loved and i really love it as a physical symbol in a show that relies so much on physicality. i cry every time even think about real grizabella too hard, this song just destroys me. however, in Cats: Midnight Movie Edition, i also laugh at "touch me" (as well as EVERYTHING ELSE IN THE MOVIE) because like... victoria was literally holding grizabella's arm as she hobbled into the room and has touched her several times throughout the movie, robbing the line of all its power and meaning in the EMOTIONAL CORE OF THE SHOW

[@unrulyjulie4382]

Very well said!!! I noticed that too.

[@BCFBreakfastClubFan]

YES! You are so right. In my opinion, the way they did it in the movie turned the line "touch me" into a more sexual reference, since Grizabella had already been touched multiple times. In the play, there's even a part where the other cats act like they're going to touch her and pull back at the last second. It's quick, but it's there. Such a poignant social commentary, really. The movie took so much of the meaning away from the greatest parts of Cats.

[@burningisis]

I think Grizabella was kind of an allegory for death in general. Animals tend to shun another animal near death. But the "touch me" line to me was "dont be afraid of me, I have led a good life, I believe in the afterlife, and I know I will touch paradise" And then the whole cat paw from the sky was she was chosen to be reborn, she was chosen for reincarnation (more Jesus references)

[@BCFBreakfastClubFan]

@@burningisis Interesting take.. To me, "touch me" meant: "show me love, show me kindness, I matter"

[@burningisis]

@@BCFBreakfastClubFan Oh I can totally see that too. I just like looking at alternate meanings in songs like this. I never saw Memory as a lament. I saw it almost as hopeful. And yes, I can see the "show me love, show me kindness, I may have done some things in my past, but I'm worthy of love too" But I look at her ascention and I take a whole new meaning behind Memory. I see her song as her dying song. What her mind goes though right before death. All of those memories of the good times in her life. But she, too, was worthy of being reborn. Because she believed. Its a different take for sure

[@mayredfern4593]

McCavity breaking every human law implies he died in the Houses of Parliament and that alone is making me die laughing

[@pringlebatch]

It's illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament?

[@mayredfern4593]

@@pringlebatch yep, not quite sure of the history but its a strange one that's for sure lol

[@bi_cycle]

I'm pretty sure its because if you die in Parliament you're required to get a huge funeral

[@SurinaSlackArt]

Christ, I almost broke a blood vessel laughing at this 😭😂

[@skullslace2426]

@@bi_cycle jep. You're entitled to a state funeral, hence suicide in the parliament is punishable by death. At least that's what I read one night when I was browsing weird laws for a laugh.

[@ladycalathieloropherion]

AFTER seeing Rum Tum Tugger's hip thrusts "What is this?" Me: The best part of the entire show

[@CarnivoreMomma]

I saw it as him being David Bowie-esque around the kittens (fan girls). So yeah the best part of the movie. Lol

[@ladycalathieloropherion]

@@CarnivoreMomma I luv David Bowie

[@wildfirefox1]

@@CarnivoreMomma Legitimately for the longest time I thought it was either Tim Curry (because of Rocky Horror) or David Bowie lol

[@jacquelineellis9768]

@@CarnivoreMomma According to Andrew Lloyd Webber, Rum-Tum-Tugger was "fashioned" (if you will) after Mick Jagger. Also, I always felt that Tugger was the quintessential "alley Tom Cat", nailing any and every Queen (female cat) he could. After seeing the 1998 version, now I'm sure of it. :-)

[@anneshields2010]

And he’s been toned right down to make it child friendly he was me t to be one wild Tom cat lol

[@meganchalkley7014]

When you are cast in Cats you are given a book about your cat. Grizabella has a very very large book explaining her story. Every cat has a huge and very important backround story that supports their characters decisions and reactions x

[@JoelTempero]

No wayyyy 😮😮 that's amazing

[@iamai_iggs]

@@JoelTempero oooh yes Justin W. Geiss was a swing on the US Tour last year and when he shared his book on instagram I was shocked at how thiccc it was. Honestly all the swings in Cats are not getting enough appreciation. I don't know how they learn all the characters they have to cover

[@adrianne7882]

That would be so cool to read!

[@Zodia195]

Oh wow amazing!

[@h37102468]

Joel Tempero is there anyway to purchase such books? I know people could buy libretto in some bookshops, but not sure if they also publish characters development books?

[@unsophisticatedlywellread]

GUMBY CAT THEORY: so her taking off her fat coat. I always thought it was about fat cats. Like fat cats lay around and sleep and do nothing. Then at two am you hear some sort of acrobatics happening in the kitchen or living room things flying around and being thrown. And your like “how can my fat cat , who does nothing literally and I hear him tearing shit up.” So it’s a representation of fat cat energy at night. lol 😂

[@XxBirdyKunxX]

I always thought if it as, they call Buster fat, not Gumby. So shes fat not cause shes lazy and fat, but because she's got a fluffy coat. Like the whole "Its not fat its fur" thing with lots of Main coon like cats. She has similar markings to those cats too

[@peterdanior4538]

And it works in the stage play because she is taking off this large layer of fur. Whereas in the movie it literally looks like she is taking off her skin. Maybe if they gave her a big fluffy coat to take off similar to Dame Judy Dench’s then it could have worked.

[@Indigosparrow7]

That is exactly how I interpreted it!

[@handetoffoli3610]

Makes a lot of sense to me.

[@annakaro9081]

I had a similar idea, I thought she's taking off her 'laziness' and revealing her inner self, instead of actually taking something off.

[@michaelmalfaro3746]

Why did no one sit Tom Hooper down and tell him that "realism" and "singing cats deciding who gets to start a new life IN SPACE" aren't compatible?

[@KettleheadComics]

Fun fact! At 8:15, the chorus is asked to sing off-key as part of the boot joke. A bunch of cats screeching in an alley attracting the ire of the local humans. In the more recent version of the production, I think they've taken that part out.

[@graciegalahad9258]

heya! i saw the most recent US tour, and there was still a boot, and it was still pretty funny!

[@sabrinayoung1503]

It’s also a pun on the word “caterwaul” :)

[@jakryk]

Your parents let you watch the VHS version so much because they probably thought, "Oh, it's a cute little play about kitty cats" and never watched it themselves. I've seen a number of reviews who had the same "How the hell did my parents let me watch this!" reaction.

[@CrazyNerdMonkey]

But it is rated g!

[@linhiril664]

Little kids do not get the adult references. All the kids I know have adored the 1998 version. The other one....I saw no reason to see it. It was weird looking...the preview made my skin crawl.

[@zippydebrain]

I have a 4 year old that loves to dance to McCavity which is a little troubling at times but to her its just a lot of silly dancing. I have a video of her dancing to that sing dressed as a dinosaur. Cutest thing ever. None of the sensitive stuff means anything to kids other than the comment on the camera direction. (Why is it looking at her bum?)

[@amara45]

The first time I watched Cats was in a drama class in 7th grade. The teacher fast-forwarded through the dance with Victoria and Skimble and the other chorus cat. I was so curious I went to the library to get their vhs copy and watched it at home. I didn't get it. What was so wrong about cats taking a nap together? 10 years later: Oooooooo

[@elizabethwilliams8367]

Some people also think that just because something is a musical/been on Broadway it’s fine. I think it’s similar to people who see classical music and think it’s fine when it’s actually about murder or going to hell.

[@aleksattebery]

I feel like Munkstrap's actor is now in a backbrace for carrying this entire film.

[@renoloverxoxo]

TheHobbitAnUnexpectedGamer HEY give Skimble and Gus some credit

[@TravelWithCesarin]

@@renoloverxoxo isnt Gus Ian McKellen?

[@paolalara3186]

honestly robbie fairchild is super talented, i hope this film doesnt kill his career

[@worldwidewebEmburr]

Skimble was there to help with his fancy tap dancing

[@lunarbunny8098]

@@worldwidewebEmburr I loved the tap dancing but I wish they didn’t stop the momentum in the beginning just to show his tap dancing, maybe if they did it for like a few seconds to show it wouldn’t bother me but it went on for way to long so it lost the momentum.

[@gemmas4829]

25:00 Can we just appreciate how hard it is to do continuous double cartwheels with people of drastically different heights and make it look effortless

[@AnxietyRat]

100% it's INSANE. I've seen other people try it. It's never as good as what they did in the 1998 version.

[@Talonistrying]

Had to do it in acro class and almost got thrown into a wall because I was so much smaller than my partner. Those two nailed it.

[@grabble7605]

Why did you timestamp a part that has nothing to do with your comment...

[@Annahg78]

@@grabble7605 They probably just got the wrong time stamp by mistake. Just go there and rewind a little and you’ll get v there. Problem solved

[@Eldariel15]

Love how you're like "they skinned the leader and now he's being brought back to life", meanwhile i was always just like "ah yes macavity disguised himself, old deuteronomy is imprisoned somewhere" like okay your mind is darker than mine i guess

[@stinky6521]

Fun fact: the dude who played old Deuteronomy in the old ver did the voice for oogie boogie I love him

[@lacasadealla1148]

WHAAAÁAAAAAT :00

[@EYUP6546]

Ken Page is a legend 😤👌

[@pyroshayniac1090]

No way! You totally blew my mind.

[@sharlene3848]

🤯

[@rebeccalaidlaw4830]

I met him and he is such a sweet heart!! He was also the voice of the alligator in All Dogs Go to Heaven.

[@kaycobb6092]

I was so personally let down by Mr. Mistoffelees the most. He has the most show stopping and impressive song for me in the original musical, and the version in the movies just murders all of that. It takes the brilliant, confidant, impressive, and skillful character he was and turns him into a scared, quiet, inexperienced, and overall completely amateurish character. So so sad and disappointing.

[@allijo514]

Well, "he is quiet, he is small, he is black" and "his manner is vague and aloof.... you would think there was nobody shier"...I guess that's how the movie made him. :/

[@Gracehasyoutube]

@@allijo514 ok I know it says that in the song and it seems like The director looked at that one line and completely ignored the way the character is written in the musical. (mistoffelees is my favourite main cat so I’m pretty passionate about him) However, vague and aloof means that he is not a very friendly cat and he doesn’t drag a lot of attention into himself. He seems like this shy cat which is shown in the movie but he’s not. Even when he is not in his light up jacket and not making things explode he still seems very confident in his abilities (when he sings the song about the jellicle ball and in the beginning of the Gumby cat) and he only seems to shy away when he is embarrassed. The movie and the musical Mistoffelees are certainly not the same cat. The musical version is lifted down from the ceiling and immediately starts blowing everything up. Also, can I just say that the actor is amazing, the amount of strength to do those jumps and the turns is astronomical. And I don’t even want to mention the movie version

[@Gracehasyoutube]

I apologise for that

[@kaycobb6092]

@@Gracehasyoutube ^^^^^^^^^^^^^YES

[@Hinatachan360]

Yes. They did my boy Mr. Mistoffelees real dirty in the movie.

[@artificialraspberify]

"I'm looking forward to Skimbleshanks in this movie. I think it's going to do well" and then it turned out to be the only performance done right in the movie

[@susanresha8107]

I think the two biggest mistakes the movie made was 1) Not understanding that it was not the just the individual cats that are interesting but how they interact with each other. Its when the older cats take care of the oldest. Its how every cat is involved in every other cats preformance even though they are "compeeting". 2) They changed all the charicters by having them sing their own songs. When someone else says you are awsome it reflects that your awsome. When you go around screaming you are awsome its just kind of sad unless you have a metric ton of carisma. (For instance the magic cat)

[@247webgirl]

Adding onto your two great points with a third point. Because the cats are so confident with themselves and each other and all their identities within the group, it’s supposed to contrast with Grizabella having no sense of personal identity and belonging. Additionally, this contrast that’s so intentional in the original is completely undone in the remake by making Mr. Mistoffelees super insecure and constantly needing reassurance.

[@jayt9608]

@@247webgirl I think there is a reason Mistoffelees does not need constant reassurance in the musical. Rum Tum Tugger has spent the first half to two thirds praising this small shy awkward cat. Further, he expresses his absolute faith and conviction in him, and by the time the young cat descends, the other cats believe and are joining in the song as well. Even so, there are a couple of times when Mistoffelees checks in with Rum Tum Tugger to make sure things are still going well, and Tugger keeps up his air of Supreme confidence, bolstering that of Mistoffelees'. Basically, the most aggressive and haughty feline in the bunch group has your back, especially if there is some family tie between them, and he is not allowed to lose confidence, and so he succeeds immediately. The movie could be understood what might have been of Rum Tum Tugger had not been there to provide the necessary moral support and bully the rest into trusting the powers of Mistoffelees.

[@vinetail5735]

Mistoffolees does sing his own part in the stage show in some versions, although it's a duet with tugger. It works because he's a confident magician cat and not scared

[@yourfriendlysleepparalysis7169]

I hate how people watched the movie and thought that the musical was just as bad. I also hate the fact that people think that the musical has no plot.

[@Yokoziel]

Yeah, I mean I kinda understand that if you never saw the musical, than the movie must look wild to you :/ so the movie really isn't doing the musical a favour.

[@hue.main1]

Especially since it was more of a concept, than a linear plot

[@Sorvea]

It has a bit of a plot.... They all give reasons why a certain cat gets to be reborn, and why they all love them. Then you've got Macavity who knew he wasn't getting reborn, and going "Screw it, I do what I want!" Tho in the musical... I was miffed that they all rejected Grizabella through the show, then at the end was all like "Oh hey! We loved you all along..."

[@nicolesrosenzweig1776]

It totally has a PLOT! Just not a complicated plot. I love it!

[@HapeeMoonlight]

@@Sorvea Considering this musical is about a cat cult, I think they still didn't love Grizabella, or at least old Deuteronomy didn't. I mean the Jellicle choice is dying, but with prettier words it's "you'll be reborn into a new life and yadda yadda". They killed her.

[@gabriellehunter7237]

It's so good to watch someone watching CATS 1998 the way that I do ahaha

[@mackhoskins3742]

Do you mean the watch the whole thing flipped side on?

[@uranus_crunch_cake87]

I also watched that VHS over and over and over and over. I even wished I would grow a tail once. (Kinda glad that one didn't come true.)😅

[@cheetosoupdeviantart5074]

i love the 1998 version, im only 13 but i had a bunch of vhs tapes and cats was like my favorite

[@fredhasopinions]

Same haha I always thought I was so weird and socially unacceptable for absolutely loving it

[@teheyepatch]

I like the idea of Macavity, the breaker of every human law, having a DUI

[@kywee..884]

i know this is an old comment- hi. Macavity, breaker of every human law, on a watchlist and enemy of the state LOL

[@MaxisaBandKid]

Macavity - handles salmon in suspicious circumstances, wears a suit in the House of Parliament, snakes his rug out in public after 8 AM, wears an outrageous double ruff, gambles in a library, and is barefoot within 200 feet of the Queen.

[@daviddowner2869]

DUI - Dancing Under the Influence

[@laurendearnley9595]

Ive always thought cats didnt mean the laws imposed on humans, but the laws humans impose on cats. Things like dont get on the countertop, you have to pee in your litterbox, wear this collar, no stealing our dinner.

[@TeaLobster]

Macavity has raped at least one person, and possibly a porcupine in Florida.

[@glittery_cucumber]

The beginning sequence - which is just floating eyes in the 98 version - is sooo much fun to experience in the theater. Suddenly everything goes dark, you hear this amazing score blasting from a hidden orchestra, lights flicker here and there and suddenly, actors with flashing goggles are creeping all around you. You can smell their make up and hair spray, and if you're lucky, you might even get hissed at! And it's all in complete darkness. Really sets the tone for the entire show and basically impossible to recreate on screen.

[@armanichu6395]

Every time I watch the overture I always get chills and a sense of anticipation and frankly it's one of my favourite musical openings. During the performance I saw last week, the entire theatre erupted into cheers before it even started just due to the sheer anticipation, after all it was the last showing of the production I saw.

[@anneshields2010]

And also they touch you on the shoulder or arm when they did that to me I let out a scream and nearly 💩 myself and at end of interval they don’t give you a chance to get back to your seat I was heading back with I drink and ice cream and I heard people yelling watch your feet and someone yelled you need to move looked down and seen one of the cats actors crawling g near me and I nearly fell over him he was inches off being soaked in juice and ice cream he looked up and mouthed sorry

[@masodemic4509]

When I saw it they first started with blinking glowing eyes on the stage then the unison hits and the actors are all around you with light up goggles. Like you’re actually in the dark and being surrounded by a bunch of cats who just appear and disappear in an instant and I CRIED

[@trixie7759]

No because I saw it live recently and the opening scene is so fucking surreal, like I desperately want to see it at a theatre where I’m close to the stage and where they’re able to leave the stage

[@stitchesandstaples]

James Cordon and Rebel Wilson just always seem to play themselves. Which works if that’s written in, but often it’s just weird.

[@cryptid-king]

They definitely prove the distinction between "theater fans who reenact their favorite performances" and "talented actors who really dig into their role"

[@Matthias-of-Redwall]

God's curse on theatre kids the both of them

[@berithazleton7973]

Yeah, when the character is written as a refined old cat and James goes "got it, fat boi", really just doesn't feel right.

[@fredhasopinions]

Did he play himself in Into the Woods? kind of I suppose, but not as much as here

[@callanightshade8079]

Dude I don't even think Rebel was trying in that movie. She was taking a breath when she didn't need to and it was putting her off. And eating the roaches and talking about eating the mice was CREEPY

[@bibbidi4616]

I wish they kept Bombalurina’s and Demeter’s Macavity duet.

[@neolithiumproduction]

That has hands down been my most favorite song. I die for it every time I watch the 1998 dvd/vhs. They have such powerful female voices, and the song is both sultry and dangerous...befitting the 'mastermind' criminal Macavity is supposed to be.

[@Hinatachan360]

I was also disappointed that the duet wasn't included. I love Demeter and Bombalurina's choreography as well.

[@bibliophilelady6106]

@@Hinatachan360 I always thought that the contrast between Bombalurina's obvious admiration and Demeter's scorn for him was great as well. I played Demeter in high school and I felt the character was the best because she was confident and cool, but didn't fall under the bad boy's spell one bit.

[@samanthahobbs8578]

I completely agreee, that is one of my favorite scenes in the stage production! Plus the way they play off each other is fabolous!

[@viscariaofoojham]

I do too. That is my favorite part of the show. They should not have merged the characters either.

[@callosamiusprometheus7350]

They took all the gay out of Mr M and all the bi energy from TRTT. And then said "no they're not boyfriends, in fact they don't like each other at all! :)" They took ALL the charisma of Mr M away. They made him perpetually awkward and not nearly the skilled magician he is in the show. They stole the magic from his song. They made TRTT a pimp instead of a rockstar, which was a HUUUUUUGE mistake. His thirsting over Victoria was...uncomfortable to say the least. Like please give me the "look at me I'm hot shit" hip thrusts over the..."MMMmmmMmmmM Victoriaaaaaaa" bullshit we got. This movie brings shame to the two very talented men who played those characters in the 1998 version. I sincerely hope neither them nor their husbands subjugated themselves to it.

[@ballsosaurus_sex]

Wasn't Victoria supposed to be a kitten? and wasn't TRTT an adult cat? Why is he thirsting over her?

[@Anna-tk7ui]

@@ballsosaurus_sex Great, now we need the cat version of Chris Hansen.

[@tastesalty6242]

well they never were boyfriends in the first place :/ it's simply fans's ship. but I agree they ruined both characters

[@Troublethecat]

@@ballsosaurus_sex No, Victoria was never a kitten. She literally has sex in the stage version (You know that paired dance she does with that male cat in the middle of the Jellicle Ball number? That's what's supposed to be happening there). She's one of the younger cats who only just recently became an adult, so by human standards she'd have just turned 18 probably.

[@jennic9076]

Where do you get idea Mr M was gay? There is nothing to suggest such an idea? Victoria and his "assistant" are both female. Unless you meant gay as in happy & merry?

[@katelynrushe9025]

The vibe I got from Jason Derulo's Rum Tum Tugger was that his swagger was all a big act. Like he was insecure but could fake confidence well enough to win over admirers, and he constantly treated those admirers like he didn't need them when in reality he was seeking their attention and feeding off of it. The Rum Tum Tugger from the 1998 production seems like he really doesn't need any admirers to know how cool he is. Like he'd dance and strut around like that even when he's alone.

[@laurendearnley9595]

Nah, the bit with the bagpipes where hes looking around beaming, waiting to be praised, shows he really loves the admiration. But the second he gets it, he loses interest in you. Which is INCREDIBLY cat like. We all know the people who dislike cats are the ones the cats gravitate towards.

[@CallaSoreon]

I love that Rum Tug Tugger sings about how great he is, and then the next song he leads is like: look how cool my friend Mysto is!

[@AnxietyRat]

"friend" 👀👀 who's gunna tell them?

[@eileenconway2966]

*boyfriend

[@jhonsad5075]

@@eileenconway2966 Where does this interpretation come from? I can't see this in the musical

[@uptoyou8454]

@@jhonsad5075 ppl just can't have anyone be friends anymore lmao✋

[@arianewinter4266]

@@jhonsad5075 well, misto is the only cat tugger has chemestry with after teasing the audiance as hell . . .like tue sexist cat throwes herself at him and he pushes her away, repidedly, but that one tomcat that called him a bore, which die not ruffel his fathers at all, . . .that is one of 2 cats he treats special . . .the other is his beloved father . . . Yeah, misto is special to him and with how much focus Tugger got on the sexy department I am not astounded that he treats that one special and gushes about him like cetera about himself . . . Yeah, I get why they are a ship

[@BlackieSootfur]

i watched cats 2019 twice. i watched it not long after it came out, and was filled with disgust and a morbid curiosity. so i watched the 1998 production, which sparked an UNDYING LOVE for this musical. (no joke, ive been listening to it nonstop for weeks. it has begun appearing in my dreams help). THen i watched the 2019 version again, and was filled with the most burning outrage that they would do this to these characters. I have ranted about jennyanydots to so many different people, the casting of Rebel Wilson is an actual SIN!!

[@BCFBreakfastClubFan]

I love Rebel Wilson, but her casting in that movie was a sin against the character AND Rebel Wilson herself. It seemed to me like-for her and Bustopher-they just said "Well, they can sing and are not tiny, so they will do". I actually find the casting of those two characters offensive, because-apart from their size-they don't fit the roles at all.

[@Lab_Member_X]

First of all, grats on finding this amazing and best version of the show. Second, Jenny wasn't the only one they did dirty imo. I couldn't even watch the whole thing it was that bad but what I did see, Mistoffelees, disgusted me. How could they take a confident, charismatic magical prodigy and turn him into a meek twerp with a bad case of Majectile Dysfunction? On top of that it was supposed to be Tugger's (epic) song. So many bad decisions.

[@Lab_Member_X]

@@BCFBreakfastClubFan I didn't really mind Bustopher's new player, what I found unforgivable was turning him into a garbage eating pig. He's supposed to be refined and fat from eating rich food. That was the point I turned the movie off and just flipped back occasionally.

[@BlackieSootfur]

@@Lab_Member_X SO many bad decisions. Also 5 months later and I'm still constantly listening to it hahaaaa There's just so much wrong with the 2019 movie it hurts... it could have been great but it just failed on so many fronts

[@BCFBreakfastClubFan]

@@Lab_Member_X Good point. They turned both of those characters into fat-shaming jokes, and both were very respectable. Jenny was a very capable, businesslike cat who ran the house, and Bustopher was respected by all, and they turned them both into comic relief.

[@Senfree]

The second time we see Grizabella, she's trying to dance like she saw the other cats doing, but found her body can't move like that anymore. As someone who can no longer do the things I was able to do because of immense pain, this scene made me sob when I saw it recently. I grew up with this movie, but I had never connected with Grizabella so much.

[@299meena]

I'm honestly so sad for Francesca, this was her debut film and as the main character she became the face of this train wreck. She's an amazing ballet dancer and is awesome in her field.

[@ShockinglyRandom94]

I don't know why it took me so long to realize it, but I think one of the things that makes the CG visuals of the 2019 film so uncanny is that they did next to nothing to change the performers' faces. In the stage show and 1998 adaptation, the vast majority are wearing, in addition to the fur-esque costumes, some kind of makeup that at the very least evokes feline features, usually coloring the noses, adding whiskers, and that characteristic cat look across the lips ":3".

[@EvripidouM]

For me its weird causethey look like naked humans

[@AnxietyRat]

100% agree. The stage performers make their faces look more cat-like. They dropped the ball with that one in the movie. Also the fur on the side of their heads to hide human ears is so so important. So the heads look very flat and strange in the movie.

[@EvripidouM]

@@AnxietyRat i agree. If the added some fur on the side of the head to make the head a bid rounder they would look better

[@clary98]

I’ve heard that they even cut the money for the after effects so...

[@TheRisingHeroz]

@@EvripidouM especially Idris Ilba's McCavity cat, a lot of the cats in the 2019 have varying fur colors but Idris is just horrifying

[@user-hf4qy3mt6z]

me: *has over 20 overdue assignments and exams to study for* also me: *watched a 1 hour and 31 minute review of cats 2019 vs cats 1998*

[@ginoongboyong]

me too: reading comments

[@EternallyYours9000]

DUDE. I hardcore am feeling that.

[@fredhasopinions]

Me. Does anyone volunteer to do my maths assignment due tomorrow so that I can keep watching Cats reviews?

[@simmonedavis98]

Me rn, unfortunately

[@clary98]

Same here

[@kaelyn991]

Can we petition for a release of the 1998 soundtrack??? I'm still heartbroken that you can't listen to this version anywhere.

[@Schuyler2614]

You could always do what I did and get the DVD, rip the audio, and cut it up into the individual songs in Audacity. But yeah, I'd kill for them to release it officially, along with a 25th anniversary extended cut of the film with all the parts that were cut out edited back in. I would GLADLY pay for a legit CD of the by far best-sounding version out there. 😭

[@ivanengen9348]

i need the 1998 version of macavity!!!

[@stemwaffle]

I legit added the individual songs, which you can find on youtube, to a youtube playlist, and play that when I want the soundtrack lol

[@justme0910]

It's nice to see an analysis from someone who actually knows and loves Cats and doesn't just dismiss it as "some horny furry's nonsensical LSD trip" or something. It always bothers me when people focus on the lack of plot in the musical and immediately conclude that this means that Cats doesn't have a story. There IS a story. It's abstract and told in an unconventional way (mostly through dance, costumes, and a series of loosely connected character vignettes in song form), but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. In fact, if you're willing to engage it with an open mind, the stage version of this musical is a wonderful celebration of acceptance, cooperation and diversity. First of all, while the tribe we see in the show is a close-knit community of cats who take great pride in their identity as "Jellicle cats", Jellicles are not some elusive club or a death cult or something. As ALW put it, ALL cats are Jellicle cats. The characters in the show are simply one big family connected by sharing the same living space (centered around the junkyard) and, in many cases, biological family ties. Each cat has a different social role, but they don't really have a hierarchy apart from holding their spiritual leader and literal patriarch, Old Deuteronomy, in high regard for his experience and wisdom - and even Old Deut doesn't make major decisions such as whether Grizabella will be accepted back into the tribe without the consent of the other cats. The Jellicle Ball isn't a competition, either. There is some playful ribbing (like Misto calling Tugger a bore), but the cats all clearly love each other and are SUPER HAPPY to hype each other up. Among them, everyone is accepted and celebrated for who they are. Bustopher Jones isn't derided for being fat, the others think he's a smart, distinguished gentleman who deserves to live the good life. Gus isn't left behind just because he's old, the other cats respect him and take care of him. Mr. Mistoffelees isn't feared for having actual magical powers, he is encouraged to use them for good. The kittens are lovingly cared for and protected by the adults. The female cats are allowed to be bold and sexually forward, the male cats are allowed to be vulnerable and affectionate, including with each other. (For the Jellicles, sexuality in general is nothing to be ashamed of - it is treated as a mark of adulthood, but engaging in sex for the first time doesn't diminish Victoria's purity and innocence, for example. There's also Rum Tum Tugger, but ... yeah, those gyrating hips make it a little difficult to talk about how emotionally uplifting I find this musical. I know it's a pastiche of oversexed male rockstars and the shenanigans they get up to on stage, but still. Shout-out to John Partridge for putting his all into that performance, though.) Grizabella is the only instance of exclusion we see, and this is resolved by the end of the show. That's the emotional core of the story - it doesn't matter what Grizabella has done to be cast out from the tribe (if you read between the lines, there are a few hints as to what her life has been like, but nothing that would warrant her being so harshly rejected by the others, especially when you consider what some of the other cats get up to ... I have some headcanons, but nothing substantial), her pleas to rejoin them are genuine and she deserves a a second chance. She gets a second chance by being LITERALLY reborn into the tribe. I'll admit that the fact that she has to die first makes the whole affair a bit creepy in a way that the musical doesn't really overcome, unless you actively force yourself to see the Jellicle Choice as metaphorical, but the message of forgiveness and redemption is still nice. The 2019 movie chucked all of that subtext out of the window in favor of expanding what little plot there is, overexplaining everything (while not understanding the story or characters in any way), adding a heteronormative romantic subplot nobody wanted or needed, and stripping the characters of their dignity through bad design, bad casting, bad music, bad special effects, bad cinematography, and bad improv comedy.

[@AnxietyRat]

I agree with this so much. Yes!

[@frauleintaka27]

Great comment, I agree! I'm honestly a little confused by how many people seem to interpret the Jellicle Ball as a competition, that never made sense to me. Most of the alleged competitors have no reason to want to be reincarnated already (like Rum Tum Tugger, he's in the prime of his life!), a good portion of their songs take place before Old Deuteronomy is even there to see it and as you said they spend most of their time hyping each other up. I always saw it simply as a big celebration with lots of fun and dancing and cats telling stories about themselves and each other. I get being weirded out by the musical in general but I never understood the fixation on the "horniness" or "death cult". They're cats, of course there's going to be a lot of touching between them and cats are known for having 9 lives. Idk, the emotional resonance, wonderful entertainment (the songs, the dances, the costumes, the staging, etc etc) and the hilarious accuracy of how cats are like "from a cat's point of view" trumps any weirdness the musical might have for me. (I also love how detailed the character interactions are, there's always something going on in the background which further illustrates how close-knit this community is.) It certainly requires a willingness to just engage with what you're presented with at first instead of dismissing it immediately for having people dressed as and acting like cats but if you do, there's a good chance you'll find a treasure. I wish the discourse around the movie would focus more on how terribly they ruined pretty much everything people love about the musical and less on assuming that Cats is just awful in general.

[@richardkovacs2006]

Or "cat reborn" is a fun twist on cats have 9 lives, anyway.

[@spacecat_scribbles]

ABSOLUTELY!! It's SO important to me that the cats sing about EACH OTHER more than themselves. A lot of them do have verses in their own songs, but the fact that they're almost always introduced by other tells you so much about them!! We know Munkustrap respects Jennyanydots because of how he sings about her, we know Demeter and Macavity have some kind of history because of Demeter's whole demeanor every time he comes up, we know Jellylorum is motherly and caring towards those in need because of how she takes care of Gus, and you could say SO MUCH about Tugger and his relationships with Munkustrap and Mistoffelees based on his parts in their songs The movie just. loses all of that by having them sing their entire songs themselves.

[@xx-diamondkatz-xx5374]

Finally! Someone who understands the magic behind Cats! People hate on the movie, and then, assuming they're the same thing, they hate on the musical too! Some people have no idea how much effort they put into making it. Personally, I think hating on Cats has become more of a trend than an actual feeling. My personal idol is Jo Gibb. She and her teammates rocked it!!! I'm so happy someone got it.

[@zippydebrain]

I was lucky enough to see her both in Cats and a few years later in Starlight Express in the very last performance. Talk about a strange musical. She is perfect as Rumpleteazer.

[@mikeymerino2117]

plus the original stage performance had so much charm to it and you felt like the characters each had their own personality, the movie just ruins everything

[@naiomiritchie975]

Yasss its my fav movie

[@Yokoziel]

Yeah ... all of this really makes me consider doing a video or at least writing some kind of essay why people should still watch the cats show even if they hated movie.

[@jime_maq3132]

xX-Diamond Katz-Xx preach!!

[@danmurray1996]

The moment I realized they were going to do Munkustrap dirty, was the moment I knew the movie would be bad.

[@cookieanon7794]

And the man playing him in the film is really talented too! So much wasted potential.

[@maikenzupancicdanko9377]

Couldn't agree more. How dare they!!

[@kavyb1730]

I thought it was good movie!

[@lonellfletcher]

I thought they did well as far as leaving him alone and not trying to change him or his character too much. Wish they had kept the Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles.

[@lonellfletcher]

@Leah halliday I thought that was Growltiger’s last stand, with the Siamese aspect

[@InchonDM]

Also, you noticed this immediately but it really got nailed home to me after watching the Sideways video that came out last December -- Rebel Wilson was basically completely abandoned on stage, musically. She was given a _five-part song_ to sing all by herself, which included I guess having her duplicate herself twice so she can sing all three parts of the harmony? That's already a musical disaster, but then according to the production videos and notes, she was also being told _to do that without the backing band or any kind of timekeeping._ They directed the orchestra to let the actor just change the performance HOWEVER while recording live and just, y'know, try to keep up, and a lot of the takes wouldn't have even had a click track. I did six years of church choir, and just having that described to me the first time made me shiver -- imagine trying to sing a freakin' hymn where the organ isn't only not leading you in, but it's actually _following you_ and just constantly making you feel like you're ahead of the beat! Rebel Wilson is up there trying to do this number that's clearly already a lot of work for her, WHILE jumping around, AND being told to change it up on the fly, with a confused orchestra probably making things worse as it tries to follow her lead, and NOTHING is in time or sync. Rebel Wilson may have been the worst part of the movie by how the script was written, but god damn if she wasn't set up to fail for the actual musical number.

[@dddglobe36]

I thought the shoe drop was a human throwing a shoe at them to stop the caterwauling. I thought the reactions were like, ‘well, I never’ expressions. Enjoyed your video.

[@beckyfrichek8190]

Every youtuber I saw review this movie had not seen/was not familiar with the original show, which made it hard to tell what was bad movie-making and what maybe just didn't translate well from a stage production. This review was exactly what I was looking for. Very nice work.

[@bluedragonfly8139]

Sideways also does a good review (not as thorough as this one, though), and then there's one by a woman who was actually in CATS that's good, as well. I can't imagine doing a review of the movie without looking at the musical, as well.

[@vanroyal244]

@@bluedragonfly8139 Yeah, Sideways' is more about the music.

[@redblueandgray]

@@bluedragonfly8139 Lindsay Ellis’s is pretty good, it goes a lot into the history of the play, as well as the production.

[@MiniDebz]

the thing i cannot understand is that each character in the staged musical has a unique character design which makes them distinct from each other. WHY int the movie did they not use these designs?? Who was Demeter? who was Etcetera? Cassandra?? Alonzo?? like.. it wouldn't have been that hard. even Mungojerrie and Rumpleteaser looked like trash. Why does Misto have a hat? anyway... huge peeve of mine about the movie. I don't understand it.

[@EmmaFranson23]

I was thinking the same thing about not being able to tell the difference between alot of the cats, so I ended up googling it. The cat that asked Victoria what her "actual" name is at the beginning of The Naming of Cats is actually Cassandra - she basically took over all of Bombalurina/Demeter/Jellylorum's parts. Demeter only has like, 1 line, and it's after Deuteronomy gets taken (she's the little white/black kitten that's like "what do we do now??"). But, yeah, no I agree about the design of the 2019 cats - It's just... Ugh.

[@NK-zg6xu]

THANK YOU. Yes exactly

[@anastasia-wc8qb]

Emma Franson Isn’t Demeter supposed to be the russian blue cat in the movie?

[@anastasia-wc8qb]

Misery Blossom I think there were some productions where Victoria and Misto did the dance?

[@cloudeia6894]

Misery Blossom my understanding is this; victoria is seen as innocence and purity, but also has royalty, shes queen victorias cat thats why her name is victoria. Before the mating scene, you can see her with Misto a few times, especially when he comes up to her after her dance and he speads his arms and she spreads out and its beautiful. I feel like the mating is more predetermined, and she was told to mate with Plato because he was seen as the best bachelor fit for royalty, and Misto hadnt come to light yet, with him being the hero. It seems as though that the cats dont equate the mating with love tho because she doesnt seem to entirely distressed, she couldve just taken it on as a royal duty? Either or, I see it as Victoria knowing and loving Misto even before he proved himself because she could see it in him, just as she saw it in Grizabella, which goes along with the idea that shes the epitome of purity and understanding, which also goes along with her character design- shes all white which symbolizes purity even further.

[@aprilblues3202]

52:30 “I’m hoping that the performances are well done” Me: sweats in Sideways

[@Freaksoftheinternet]

I appreciate when Jemima joins Grizabella in the reprise from 1998 because Jemima, like Victoria, is a naive kitten, but she's not as recognizable as Victoria. So she's a representation of how all the cats could treat Grizabella with kindness and empathy, if she can.

[@pulpted9937]

How this film could’ve worked: 1) remove the CGI and have star of the art costumes. Add MINIMAL cG OR 2) have this be an animated film. I’ve heard this idea before and the more I think about it, the more I like it.

[@Shastasnow]

That would be cool. I would invest in that. We need an apology movie or something and soon. :

[@Seal0626]

Taking inspiration from Mog the Cat, from the 2015 Sainsbury's Christmas ad.

[@ApostlicNinjaGirl]

There are a few reasons animated (especially 2D) would be better! Mainly two things though. First, animation allows them to be truly anthropomorphic cats and would allow for more creative and interesting designs that could be distinct from each other AND the musical. Second, animation not only allows but also creates a much bigger suspension of disbelief because of its very essence. We know everything is drawn or computer animated. We know it isn’t truly real. It isn’t supposed to look or be realistic. Just like stage shows. Live action movies have far less suspension of disbelief than animated movies or stage shows, so animation, a medium that creates a similar level of SoD as stage performance does would be a much better choice.

[@shiftyshinings1273]

I wish that they had proper CGI cats and just have the actors do the voice over bc in the film the cats look to human-like with there human faces, human hands, no paws and the one that I hated the most was the fact that their legs bent forward

[@The-bi5ry]

There’s actually concept arts by Tim Burton for an animated movie, but I’ve heard that Weber was against the idea of animating the musical so it never came to fruition

[@garylife5320]

There was an acclaimed regional production here in the USA where Grizabella was played by a actress who had had a leg amputated. Apparently it brought a whole new dimension to the character and it was a riveting performance.

[@MissCaraMint]

Gary Life Oh that’s super interesting.

[@Seal0626]

Damn, that would be good.

[@lonelyscarygirl]

@Avengers are prostitutes DEMETER WOULD NEVER.

[@annakaro9081]

the biggest reason why cats look so weird in the movie is because of the messed up proportions. I'm not even talking about the fact that they sometimes look bigger and sometimes smaller, I'm talking about their individual proportions. The size of the ears compared to the head, the size of the head compared to the body and (most importantly) the length of the fur compared to their bodies. The musical had those huge wigs that 1) made the head look bigger, 2) had big ears (in most cases) and 3) gave viewers the impression of how furry these cats are, even though the rest of the body didn't have any fur at all. The movie, on the other hand, gave them fur too short to make them look like a cat, ears that are way too small and disturbingly human head shapes. Even if they just made the fur longer on the head (kind of like hair) and made ears bigger, these characters would instantly look a lot more like cats.

[@Jay-ih9jp]

Fun fact: Grizabella doesn't actually appear in the original book of poems that the musical is based on. Her poem - Grizabella the Glamour Cat - was actually rejected from the book for being "too sad for children", but was later given to Lloyd Webber for the musical. However there IS another, published, T.S Elliot poem that served as a basis for her character - Rhapsody on a Windy Night... Which is widely believed to be about a prostitute. Long story short, there is a very good possibility that Grizabella was some kind of kitty prostitute/sex worker, which lead to her eventual rejection from the tribe. Cats - For kids! Supposedly, the first part of Grizabella the Glamour cat ("Behold the cat who hesitated towards you...") Is taken from Rhapsody on a Windy Night, whereas the rest ("She haunted many a low resort near the grimy road of Tottenham Court...") Is from the original Grizabella the Glamour Cat poem. Memory is either taken from the original Grizabella poem, or is completely made up by Lloyd Webber - however, the references to street lights seem to allude back to Rhapsody on a Windy Night, which uses a lot of street lights aswell.

[@fionatritton2445]

The "actor" who plays Skimbleshanks is Stephen McRae who is a very famous Ozzie ballet dancer. He's a principal dancer with the Royal Ballet here in the UK and he's very well known for his incredible tapping. I guess they specifically wrote the routine as tap to allow him to showcase his skills. Check out the Royal Ballet production of Alice - he plays the Mad Hatter and there's another wonderful tap routine in there. Francesca Hayward (Victoria) is also a Royal Ballet principal ballerina - I think it's no coincidence that they turn in such wonderful performances as they are both joys to watch on stage. I much prefer Stephen's Skimble to the 98 version - the only bit ! I really enjoyed your review Joel and I also loathe Rebel Wilson 😂

[@janaweber2255]

Stephen McRae is brilliant- I loved him in Alice as the Mad Hatter

[@mushroomshrub]

Steven is a good 70% of the reason I got into ballet, he's just that good. I'll also add re: Frankie, if anyone wants to see her tell a cinematic story without speaking, she danced Juliet in Romeo and Juliet: Beyond Words. It does for Kenneth MacMillan's ballet what this movie should've done for Cats - ported it from the stage to actual film sets without pulling focus from the dancing and the story. It's wonderful and it's on iplayer if folks have access and wanna watch.

[@overlydramaticpanda]

I kind of love how most people seem to have just agreed that Steven McRae as Skimble is the best thing about this film (which is 100% true). If nothing else, hopefully it will bring attention to more of his dance work. He's definitely one of the best principals at the Royal Ballet at the moment - I saw him in one of the ROH livestreams as Romeo a few years ago and then live as the Creature in Frankenstein and both were phenomenal; I even got Alice In Wonderland on DVD purely because I saw him listed as the Mad Hatter. I do think it says something that the three best dancers in the main cast (Steven, Francesca and Robbie Fairchild) are the ones who, on the whole, came out of this whole thing the best, even though Francesca was definitely let down by the dialogue she was given.

[@pixiewolf333]

I agree but disagree. I still prefer '98 skimble but skimble was the best thing about cats 2019.

[@possums154]

I’m gonna check that out! Thanks! The tap routine was my favorite part of the movie, but I guess that wasn’t a high bar in the first place

[@dindigo.]

The Ad-dressing of Cats is actually an important part. It talks straight to the audience and concluding the message for all of us. And in case the audience were still confused, they’ll get it when they hear these lyrics: “You should need no interpreter To understand our character” “You've learned enough to take the view That cats are very much like you” It’s a good message. At least it gives the musical a purpose that it won’t just end with the Jellicle Tribe but also with humans (the audience) these cats are a reflection of all of us!

[@Zodia195]

I loved that song in the 1998 version. It's why I was worried about Judi Dench playing the role and she's a great actress, but not a good singer and I really wished that someone like Ken Page was cast for the role.

[@WhiteVioletButterfly]

Zodia195 tbh Judi Dench should have been Jenny Anydots

[@anthonyanderson3448]

That boot scene actually made me laugh. Mostly that's how my cats are. They would be doing something then something would drop in or a loud noise to them interupt them for a second then goes back to what they were doing

[@mindyschocolate]

Lol, yup. My cats are the same way. If you don’t have cats you probably wouldn’t get why it’s funny.

[@pringlebatch]

I like the implication that a nearby human is throwing things at them for yowling and caterwauling, but then gives up for the rest of the musical and wraps a pillow round his head

[@masodemic4509]

They meow even louder when you try to get them to shut up 🤣

[@K3MPS1]

SkimbleShanks worked really well partly because it was one of the few numbers to use just a clicktrack. The recording of the songs in this film was a nightmare for the MD, with actrors having free reign to just change tempo etc on the fly. Combine that with the cutting of harmomies and you get a musical waking nightmare.

[@rike1775]

Yeah, the movie is a perfect representation of what happens when people who know nothing about music and rhythm fiddle about with the music, which is a detriment to a story that is carried by music. I appreciate McRae, the dancer and actor of Skimbleshanks, for using a click track. He's a dancer in the Royal Ballet Company, he knows about music and keeping a rhythm, so of course he would want to perform the song with a set rhythm. There's a reason why, despite being torn about the movie, so many people agree that Skimbles number was the best out of everything and enjoyable.

[@afoolishfopdoodle3284]

I also have watched the Sideways video (I don't mean this in a mean way I love Sideways)

[@K3MPS1]

@@afoolishfopdoodle3284 I didn't as I learnt this from an Acting through song lecture. Is sideways a MT theory channel? Haven't heard of them.

[@afoolishfopdoodle3284]

@@K3MPS1 Yeah, it's a music theory channel! I super recommend it

[@K3MPS1]

@@afoolishfopdoodle3284 nice thanks fir the recommendation 👍

[@rowanbartlett8084]

Cats (2019) was such a strange thing to experience for me. Mostly due to the fact that I was deep in rehearsal for a production of Cats when the movie hit theatres. The cast and I went to go see it as a group and to be completely honest, we hated it. We hated seeing this musical almost mock the characters that we were playing through awful casting. The selling point of our show had to be “come see cats. We promise it’s not as bad as the movie.” The fact that we even needed to say that is a testament to how truly disappointing this movie was.

[@rowanbartlett8084]

Pure strangeness I was playing Rumpleteazer :)

[@mercedeswalt6621]

@@rowanbartlett8084 oh my God! I’m so sorry because I think the Cat Burglars song was the most butchered song in the entire movie.

[@starlosa]

I 100% recommend seeing it live, it was a magical experience. The cats actually do their best to interact throughout the theatre, walking through the isles and interacting with the audience. The opening with the eyes also makes a lot more sense

[@viscariaofoojham]

I saw it live. It was absolutely AMAZING!

[@rose-ui6hk]

wait, how does the opening with the eyes translate to a live stage performance?

[@Blastof-ob2zb]

@@rose-ui6hk they wear these awesome glowing goggles with yellow cat eyes. So they’re all positioned around the theatre wearing them in the dark and they move to the stage

[@skullslace2426]

I'm going to see it again with my fiancé now, and I'm actually really anxious about whether they'll be allowed to do that with all the covid restrictions. I first saw it live in December 2020, before covid hit us. I hope we get to experience it the same way, but I also really want the actors to stay safe.

[@bex1107]

I just saw the national production, and since it is Covid they weren’t walking down the isle but they tried their best to interact with the audience.

[@nerdoftheatre]

"The Moments of Happiness" (the song that you weren't sure about) is another song that sets up another theme. In "Memory," Grizabella talks about how, if someone touches her, the cat that touches her will understand what true happiness is. Because, with the cats, they are all very touchy. Very affectionate. And Grizabella is so desperate for affection. She doesn't want to go to the Heaviside Layer, she just wants to be loved. To be welcomed. Old Deuteronomy understands this. He thinks Grizabella should be welcomed back (why he is holding his arm out to her while she is trying to get someone to touch her). But he can't welcome Grizabella back unless the rest welcome her back.

[@marar8045]

I’m sure that what they mean by “every human law” is rules humans set on cats. They’re cats after all. Pretty sure they don’t care about our laws. So he’s done everything that humans don’t want cats to do.

[@taniaroman5857]

He knocked down one too many plants

[@xanmontes8715]

He died in the house of Parliament??

[@Kingofpop1234100]

I've heard a theory that the Gumby cat's removal of the big coat is a symbol of her after dark..ya know after the days hustle and bustle is done.

[@AnxietyRat]

It about when you have a lazy fat cat who sleeps all day... But at night you can hear it jumping off the walls.

[@bkerbal8444]

Jellicle cats got their name from "dear little cats", and Pollicle dogs are "poor little dogs"

[@familyguy237whip]

Yes thank you that clears up nothing

[@minstrelcat1951]

This is why I love TS Eliot...

[@allijo514]

I always thought it was a way of saying "angelic", like "angelical"

[@berithazleton7973]

Thank you for pointing out the eyes were terrifying. My parents always thought it was really funny that I skipped that part every time, but DEAR LORD as a child I was so freaking scared.

[@spicerat8115]

"I hope they dont mess this song up" Oh honey

[@mostamazingrace]

When I was little, because of her ears and face, I thought Grizzabella was a mouse.

[@brenna_marie]

mostamazingrace glad I'm not the only one 😂😂😂

[@jessicavaquero6640]

Me too

[@chloec4127]

I thought she was a poodle and that’s why the cats hated her

[@livialopes2559]

I'VE NEVER FELT SO REPRESENTED BEFORE IN MY LIFE

[@jime_maq3132]

Lívia Lopes omG 😂😂saaaaameee!!!

[@emptyteacup8228]

SAAME

[@pleaseimastar911]

SAMEEEEE

[@brimarie3405]

Cats 2019 seems like it was made by people who watched the move Cats once, fell asleep part way through, and breezed through the Wikipedia synopsis to fill themselves in. The first mistake was trying to make a completely fantastical, perfectly nonsense musical into a “realistic” movie.

[@crowbaby9565]

Jennyanydots taking off her costume in the play is (supposedly) supposed to represent her transition from day to night life as the song is about how during the day she's this big lazy housecat that sits around all day, but at night she sheds that persona to become weird cat mom to the mice and cockroaches

[@E3WEINER]

I appreciate a review where someone had enjoyed the original show. Every review I’ve seen so far the reviewer either didn’t know the original show or didn’t like the original show which doesn’t actually do anything for the review.

[@AnxietyRat]

100%. If you don't like the source material... There's zero chance of liking ANY part of the horrible movie version.

[@admeliora6226]

Watch sideways if u havent already. He focuses on the music cause thats what his channel is about but he also talks about the plot and how things from stage musicals dont translate or werent done correctly. Its clear he understands the original

[@E3WEINER]

@@admeliora6226 I actually have. I love his videos!

[@mariedaparellio5686]

The shoe falling isn’t what’s funny. Alonzo and Jennyanydots reacting to it -THATS what’s funny! Rebel was a terrible choice for Jenny because she is such a clown she takes away all of Jenny’s authority. I’ve been saying it for ages Derulo is NO Partridge. Whenever you can’t explain the weirdness you have to just remember “Hey they’re Cats so...” If Deuteronomy is the Christ figure, Monkustrapp is John the Baptist One thing the movie got right was following Victoria because of all the times she’s featured. Otherwise the could have followed Jemima because she’s the first to relate to Grizabella.

[@Kensie2559]

I believe Jemima would have been a better pick as a cat who has that rapport with Grizabella in the stage version. She is also the youngest kitten canonically and it makes sense.

[@mackhoskins3742]

Very true. Derulo can never be as good as Partridge, John Partridge is a god. And yes, I think Monkustrapp is John the Baptist too. I mean, he probably eats honey, milk, and locusts too.

[@pixietwitch]

It's because Rebel Wilson has one character in her repertoire, and that is Rebel Wilson. Once in a while it works for the part cast, but definitely not for everything, and REALLY not for this.

[@NSNC0]

I think the reason Grizzlebella was "hated" because, she abandoned them for a life of "Glamour" and thought the life she found was better than the Jelicle life. But, it didn't last long. She went back to them in hopes they'll accept her back but, they rejected her.

[@excessivelyfangirlingbookw3339]

I appreciate how he talks about most of the scenes and characters, but I personally think he gets Grizabella wrong: she's supposed to stand for the outcast and unloved people in society who don't get a chance because they're not like the others. She has lost everthing from the life she used to have - her health, her beauty, her wealth, her friends/ family and she's become bitter and unconsolable over it. That's why the others shun her: they're afraid. But the moment Victoria steps forward, it's like a spell is broken and the other cats see Grizabella for the person she is inside, not how she looks from the outside. That's why the following scene is so incredibly significant and emotional. Also: they're not "sacrificing" her. Basically the whole Jelliclecat-backstory is about granting one of the presented cats a new life.

[@EthalaRide]

I'm disappointed in the complete let down of the 2019 adaptation's Rum Tum Tugger. He's on the same power/social level as Munkustrap and seemed to be the other side of the coin to him if you will. like they're both second in command to Old Deuteronomy, respect the HELL out of Old D, and help and protect the group in their own way. Munkustrap rights Macavity but Tugger is the one that prompts Deuteronomy's actual return by raising the cats' spirits after the fight. I would have loved to have seen how they more thoroughly layout his dynamic with other members of the group, especially because he's supposed to be a huge show-stealer. I feel a presents like Idris Elba would have been better suited for Rum Tum Tugger instead of Macavity.

[@TheLalacream]

Me, reading your comment: . . . and then they kissed

[@waffleauflauf4213]

I loved that dynamic, too. It makes sense when you learn Rum Tum Tugger is Munkustrap's younger brother. They definitely have that sibling vibe, and it makes things like the bagpipe scene make a lot more sense lol

[@TheLalacream]

@@waffleauflauf4213 "rum tum tucker is munkustrap's younger brother" Me: *rewinds previous comment*

[@stargirl7646]

Skinned Old Deuteronomy?! Brought him back to life?! Your version is much grimmer than mine, where Mistoffelees just transported him from wherever he was being held lol

[@Schuyler2614]

I always imagined he was just being held prisoner somewhere and Misto teleported him back, too. This version is so much darker. I love it. xD I mean, we never see what happened to him in the stage version, so it is open to interpretation. If he did get killed and skinned, that _would_ explain why Macavity came back - to be all "Mwahaha look how evil I am 😈" - and where he got such a convincing disguise, which I never really understood. 🤔 (I doubt that's actually what happened, though. Would be going a bit far for a mostly lighthearted musical that's pretty faithful in tone to the equally lighthearted children's book, LOL.)

[@TheLalacream]

He's broken every human law so it doesn't seem out of character

[@elizabethc1330]

Y’all should watch Sidways’s analysis of the music next, it’s really good and I’m pretty sure that’s what brought me here

[@N3onDr1v3]

Literally in the recommended for me🤣 clicked and here we are

[@ZeshaunsLilSister]

Me: "oh I don't watch videos longer than 10 minutes." Scrolling through recommended Also me: texts boyfriend, "I'm going to be busy for the next hour and a half."

[@dillonohlemiller9027]

I own the 98 version on DVD. I watched it on VHS as a kid all the time. THAT is the TRUE live action movie

[@meg4322]

Watching you make faces at Rum Tum Tugger and knowing the mating scene exists was an Experience

[@Draconea77717]

What....

[@TinyShinyUnique]

TBH, each time he said "oh they better not mess this up", I felt really really bad for him.

[@dudeivealreadydonethis5tim289]

47:16 grisabella gets a new life. Yes she is basically dying. But cats have 9 lives as they say. So she is chosen by old deutoronomy to go on to her new life. Shes being forgiven for whatever it is shes done and at peace. Something along those lines. Its never been fully explained. I have heard somewhere that her story was much too sad and was why it has never been explained.

[@rwinger2481]

About Growltiger. Originally from the 1981/1982 stage versions, there was a song within Gus' song called Growltiger's Last Stand. It is 10-11 minutes long. The current 2016 Broadway revival removed this song due to the racist potrayal of the Siamese cats within the number. The 1998 version didn't perform this due to the difficult choreography and Sir John Mills not being able to do it. The Broadway revival replaced that with the Pekes and Pollicles number (it was in Act I before the Jellicle Ball dance number).

[@marroemin7595]

They actually had someone else there to play Growltiger, you'll notice there is a cat that looks like Gus (Asparagus) in the other songs like the closeup on the older cats in Rum Tum Tugger. They didn't film Growltiger due to Gus the Theater Cat taking too long to film as Sir John Mills was quite old, so they just scrapped it and put in the vision that he sees.

[@neolithiumproduction]

I'm surprised they removed that but kept the Dog Battle scene, where they state "heathen chinese". (though I do love that song so much)

[@SvdB1992]

When I was a teen I mailed the really useful group about it and they didn't only cut Growltiger because of Sir John Mills not being able to do the song, they also removed it to shorten the recording so it would fit on the VHS in the first place. I'm not sure if I have the email still, but at the time I was so thrilled that they even responded to me lol!

[@Seal0626]

@@SvdB1992 that was the official story, yeah. They couldn't really say that the problem was that the great, revered actor Sir John Mills couldn't remember his lines.

[@pixiewolf333]

I always saw it as "don't be a racist or you'll get got" but I get why they cut it.

[@alyssaj6579]

One thing I ADORE about the 1998 version is the makeup and costumes. Yea granted this is a Broadway production so it needs exaggerated makeup and costumes to stand out but the 1998 version just did it better. After awhile you just except that they're cats. In the 2019 movie just... off putting, no cat like features except for the obvious tail, fur and ears. They just look kinda dull in comparison. You're constantly switching between oh they're cats...wait ugh the human faces. I dont know I have a soft spot for the 1998 version🤷‍♀️ it's just really entertaining. When you put in the dancing and the songs and the work behind the makeup and costumes, you have to admit it's quite the show.

[@funtimefxlet6659]

when grizibella says "touch me" its symbolic and idk how to explain it but watch sideways's video on it bc its rlly interesting and u would like it edit: i would also like to point out that it would of been so easy for mistoffelees to start quiet and someone said smth like "hey lets cheer him on" or smth dumb like that and then they all join in and it sounds epic but they didn't >:(

[@alansmithee419]

Jemima and RTT also have a role in the story. RTT gives Mistoffelees the confidence he needs to save the day (maybe confidence isn't the right word? In any case RTT helps in some way by singing the song for him), and Jemima pushes Grizzabella to not give up, leading to her impressing the Jellicles, being accepted, and then being chosen.

[@Hewene]

1998: oh YES this is my FAVOURITE part 2019: ... what have they done

[@JoelTempero]

There are some great comments below highlighting some things I don't dive particularly deep into like the poetry, and some other takes on their experience in the theater watching this musical, have learned heaps! Thanks so much for the engagement and discussion. Who would've thought there are people out there willing to sit through an analysis of a super weird movie that's almost as long as the movie itself 🤣

[@afoolishfopdoodle3284]

Watching someone roast this movie in comparison to the original musical instead of watching someone roast this movie all on its own and sometimes conflating the original show is just something that I needed

[@arianewinter4266]

Yeah, jennyanydots is like the Minerva McGonegall of cats, the very strict, down to buisness, no nonsens aunt teaching you stuff so you can be a better person and have a better life because she deeply cares about you and wants you to be happy . . . So why did they cast her young and rebellious?

[@Ludovicae]

One of my favourite parts of the 1998 show is the bit after mungojerry & rumpleteazer when you just see them in the background and they are lying there and mungo is just breathing heavily, because their number was so extremely high energy; you just don‘t get that kind of thing in movies

[@garrettwood4866]

I was afraid of Macavity as a 4 year old but since being in “CATS” as Bombalurina I have come to learn that I have nothing to fear.

[@AmazonElf]

You can also see how excited and proud Rum Tum Tugger is about Mr. Mistoffelees in that song in the stage play/1998 movie.

[@hexe7405]

I absolutely adore the 98 version. I could talk about it for hours and watch it all over again and I’d see new things and characters in the background that I haven’t seen before. And it’s just so comforting to me, it brings me so much joy🥰

[@duskmallow]

I used to learn all of the choreographies and act out the whole show alone in my room with music while singing along... I was a strange kid.

[@noalunara8461]

My brother and I did the same thing XD

[@sopetty333]

Lol I did this as well, except I’d sing the songs wherever I was, and unfortunately for my parents my favorite song was Macavity.

[@duskmallow]

@@sopetty333 Oh yeah I did that too! My best friend was also obsessed and we would sing and dance Macavity in the schoolyard...

[@Mungoteazer11581]

Me too! My cousin and i used to dressed up as the different cats =)

[@duskmallow]

@@Mungoteazer11581 I approve of your username

[@Mrwise102]

This was the most honest review I’ve ever seen

[@melodie-allynbenezra8956]

Growltiger not only has his own poem in T.S. Eliot's book, but he's a weird character. In stage productions that involve Growltiger, he and Griddlebone are usually played as part of Gus's reminiscing of his old parts. (It was horribly racist against all things Eastern Asian, and so most televised versions cut it. The Poms and the Pekes was, too, but NOWHERE near as horrible.) I admit that it was very weirdly done, in the movie version.

[@LeedsInAHat]

Sorry I’m replying to a comment from a year ago. Most of Growltiger’s section was cut, so you’ll only see Griddlebone exceedingly briefly, skulking about on the boat and spreading catnip when Macavity is introduced. A shame, because the performer who played her is amazing live.

[@eldupont3095]

It seems telling to me that they decided that the characters that were noticeably overweight - for some reason - had to be clowns. Jenny-Any-Dots and Bustopher Jones were originally rather dignified characters and this remake made them both un-respectable buffoons. I just get this feeling of "well they're fat so they have to be funny/the butt of jokes" which is such bullshit.

[@karamiadarling7789]

I’m 4 minutes in and your enthusiasm alone has convinced me

[@kat_the_ot]

*watching this long after the movie has premiered* "I hope they they keep this and that in the movie!" Oh my sweet summer child...I'm so sad for you in the first part.

[@mr.hartwood7121]

I wish more people did content like this 😭 you're someone who absolutely adores the source material and obviously knows what he's talking about - and your passion absolutely translates. It's so good

[@possums154]

that look to the camera when she said "cat got your tongue?" SENT ME