Mark Casagrande

Oh my friends....as a lover of musicals and theater, my hopes were high despite the scathing reviews. I cannot put into words my entire experience but...I did enjoy the dance numbers when the director and camera allowed the cast to do their thing. There were some magical moments but they quickly vanished as SO MANY THINGS went so horribly wrong. The effort was evident to translate the musical to the screen but it just...didnt...work. I did cry a bit when "Memory" played, but...that was more as a nostalgic homage to Elaine Paige and Betty Buckley. Jennifer Hudson is a powerful singer and effective actor but...it was over the top and a HUGE missed opportunity for the movie version. And I LOVE Dame Judi Dench, but...the CGI (exposed hand with wedding band visible) and her ill fitting outfit dragged her down. Shes a revelation as an actor and so....no words. My friends, it was a visual feast but the scale was wrong in many scenes...and Rebel Wilson eating mice and cockroaches just...didnt...work. The comedic effort was not lost on me and I was grateful and appreciative for the effort. However, it was painful to see Cats as seen on Broadway be depicted in this manner on the big screen. Again...the dance numbers are incredible and the choreographer deserves an Oscar. However, this movie will quickly fade away and land in the bargain bin. An A list casting with an epic failure in translation. Mr. Hooper, thank you for your effort and dedication to the material, as musical theater is often misunderstood. But...it just...didnt...work.