"Are You Blind When You're Born? Can You See In The Dark?"

                                  If you answered "Yes" to either of these questions, you are at a distinct advantage, if you find yourself having to sit through the movie version of "CATS."

                                  The big surprise is the movie is not as bad as what one is led to expect.  It is not on a par with the worst film versions of a Broadway show, like Lucille Ball in "MAME," back in 1974, or Richard Attenborough's unknowing, uncaring adaptation of "A Chorus Line," back in 1985.

                                    It is what it is.  "CATS."  Never one of my favorites.  But, girls, I am telling you, it worked so much better on the stage.

                                     While one critic at its opening called it a "kitty 'Chorus Line,' " unlike that great, iconic musical, CATS did not allow the audience to connect with its characters or these stories. The junkyard setting was a great stage conception, perfectly fitting a collection of stray cats.

                                        The movie has no conception.  It starts with a cat being abandoned by a bitch (visible only by the high heels emerging from the car).  The cat is named Victoria, and she is danced by the marvelous Francesca Hayward, whose movements are some of the best in the film.
There is also James Cordon skillfully prancing about, as well as Judi Dench, playing, unbelievably, Old Deuteronomy, who has always been played by a man.  Jennifer Hudson delivers an emotionally charged "Memory,"  but cannot decide if she is still playing Effie in "Dreamgirls," or Fantine in "Les Miz."  In going for her own, she achieves nothing, though her delivery is superb.

                                          In visual perspective and editing, the film loses itself.  At one point, the actors stand alongside enlarged sets, giving them the illusion of being small cats.  Other times they are human sized amid human sets.  Make up your mind, Tom Hooper, especially after so fine a job with "Les Miserables."  The junkyard concept has been abandoned for picture posy shots of London amid sepia tones, suggesting a Victorian look!  Huh?  Who is the inspiration here., T.S. Eliot, or Dickens?

                                           As for Grizabella's ascent to the Heaviside Layer, hons, you gotta see it to believe it.  She floats upwards on what appears to be an inverted chandelier--or is it?--and one of the final shots, of her drifting off in the sky, looks like a bad outtake from "The Wizard Of Oz."  Have mercy on us all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                            The movie is over produced, and stunted.  Had the concept been kept simpler, "CATS" might have had a chance.

                                              As is, the end result is kitty litter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!