Went in with VERY low expectations and was pleasantly surprised BUT - (and this is a big butt) the film really needs to start about 50 minutes in, just after the Jellicle ball.
That said, if you don't know the play - starting there may be confusing because there is a tiny bit of story arc established in the first half.
Let me fix that for you. There are a number of cats vying for the opportunity to be born again. Judi Dench gets to pick the only cat to get that prize on the night of the Jellicle Moon. That's all you need to know to be able to start at 50 minutes.
The CGI cat appendages (Ears and tails) are pretty amazing. The costumes not too unlike the play - form fitting (not necessarily a good thing) and the sets...well they're pretty.
The dance numbers in the first half are horribly choreographed, shot and edited. It's almost like someone else took over for the second half as they were more entertaining but note the second half is where all the signature songs reside, so that helps a lot. IF I were to watch it again, it would be at 50 minutes in.
I think fans of the play (and you need to be) - will enjoy that part of the film.
Frankly I didn't expect to make it through the film, but I waited for the first performance of Memory and am glad I did.
So there is that.
That said, if you don't know the play - starting there may be confusing because there is a tiny bit of story arc established in the first half.
Let me fix that for you. There are a number of cats vying for the opportunity to be born again. Judi Dench gets to pick the only cat to get that prize on the night of the Jellicle Moon. That's all you need to know to be able to start at 50 minutes.
The CGI cat appendages (Ears and tails) are pretty amazing. The costumes not too unlike the play - form fitting (not necessarily a good thing) and the sets...well they're pretty.
The dance numbers in the first half are horribly choreographed, shot and edited. It's almost like someone else took over for the second half as they were more entertaining but note the second half is where all the signature songs reside, so that helps a lot. IF I were to watch it again, it would be at 50 minutes in.
I think fans of the play (and you need to be) - will enjoy that part of the film.
Frankly I didn't expect to make it through the film, but I waited for the first performance of Memory and am glad I did.
So there is that.