I've been embracing my musical theatre voyage through films and to be honest, I had completely forgot about this 1998 version of Cats since word came out of the upcoming supposed nightmare that is the 2019 version. I have never seen the stage musical and probably nor will I ever. Cats is truly a tale like no other. I knew very few songs going into this film; the ever iconic "Memory" as well as parts of "Jellicle Songs For Jellicle Cats", "Mr Mistoffelees", and "Macavity: The Mystery Cat". Cats is a very odd musical, but it is nothing short of fun.
The film opens to a junkyard set, which is not changed throughout the entire show. Some cats crawl around the stage to their little nooks and crannies. The cats, led by a black and white cat, named Munkustrap, explain the attributes that correspond with being part of the Jellicle Family ("Jellicle Songs For Jellicle Cats"). As the cats tone down, a cat named Skimbleshanks notices a man inquiring on what a Jellicle Cat is and how their names come to be. The cats describe how the naming of cats works ("The Naming Of Cats").
The cats head home as the only cat with a proper English name, Victoria the white cat, showcases her unique ballet abilities as well as her extreme flexibility ("Victoria the White Cat"). Munkustrap invites all of the cats to come out of hiding and attend the Jellicle Ball that following evening, which is where their leader would choose one of them to be reborn into a new jellicle life. This event only occurs once a year ("The Invitation To The Jellicle Ball"). The cats discuss who the nominations should be and Munkustrap puts forward Jennyanydots, a tabby cat who worries too much about the other animals that roam around the junkyard ("The Old Gumbie Cat").
They are rudely interrupted by another cat, named the Rum Tum Tugger, who explains that he is indecisive and has too big of an ego for the junkyard that they live in ("The Rum Tum Tugger"). An elderly cat walks in, as the rest of the population exiles her. Bombalurina and Demeter, the two leading female cats, explain how she is Grizabella, a cat who lived life to the fullest and flirted with all of the male cats ("Grizabella: The Glamour Cat"). Bombalurina then puts forward Bustopher Jones, a cat who is rather large and the mayor of the town they live in. ("Bustopher Jones").
The cats leave to get ready for the Jellicle Ball in the upcoming evening. Two twin cats named Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer stay onstage, explaining that they are the tricksters of the town and tend to steal items from other cats ("Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer"). A loud crash is heard as the Jellicle reconvene, noticing that Bustopher and Jennyanydots have gone missing. However, in that moment, the cats' leader, Old Deuteronomy steps in and commences the Jellicle Ball ("Old Deuteronomy/The Jellicle Ball"). On the outskirts of the premises, Grizabella attempts to repeat the dance moves from previous balls, but fails due to her failing bones. She sits outside and attempts to remember the good times when she was welcomed by the other cats ("Grizabella The Glamour Cat Reprise/Memory 1").
Old Deuteronomy watches Grizabella from afar and notices that all of the cats are living well, and that she truly deserves a second chance ("The Moments of Happiness"). In the meantime, Jellyrolum, another cat, puts forward Gus to be reborn. Gus is a elder cat who lived outside the stage doors of theatres and went onstage for some performances ("Gus: The Theatre Cat"). Skimbleshanks puts his name forward so he can be reunited with the train station ("Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat"). In this moment, a third crash is heard as Old Deuteronomy is mysteriously kidnapped.
The cats go in a panic as the two leading female felines explain the situation. They explain that the gang is slowly being kidnapped by Macavity, a mystery cat. His crimes and plans are unknown and he is quite seducive ("Macavity: The Mystery Cat"). The Rum Tum Tugger puts forward Mr Mistofelees, the magical cat, who successfully brings Old Deuteronomy back to the junkyard ("Mr Mistofelees"). As Old Deuteronomy is about to make his decision, Grizabella walks in and sings, once again, of being outed and not accepted by her breed, and longs for a better life ("Memory"). The cats finally accept Grizabella as Old Deuteronomy chooses Grizabella to be the cat that could be sent to the Heaviside Layer ("Journey To The Heaviside Layer"). The night ends with Mr Mistofelees explaining to the world to accept one and other and perfectly explains the definition for serendipity ("The Addressing Of The Cats").
Now, I know what you are thinking: "Cats is supposed to have little to no plot, why is this review so elongated." To me, cats has no plot, but is a metaphor for the different stages of life one goes through as well as the people you meet. You start out as a child, alike to Victoria, the youngest cat and the dreams and aspirations that children want, meanwhile rejecting the elders. Next the cats meet young adulthood, with Bustopher and the twin cats, where you can mess around. The ball is a metaphor for the worklife and Grizabella showcases her fear of going inside. Next, we enter the workforce with Skimbleshanks and Gus, while we finally grow old and reconvene of the wonderful life we lived with Memory. Cats is whatever you want it to be, a blank plot with so much symbolism to fill.
Cats gets a 7.
The film opens to a junkyard set, which is not changed throughout the entire show. Some cats crawl around the stage to their little nooks and crannies. The cats, led by a black and white cat, named Munkustrap, explain the attributes that correspond with being part of the Jellicle Family ("Jellicle Songs For Jellicle Cats"). As the cats tone down, a cat named Skimbleshanks notices a man inquiring on what a Jellicle Cat is and how their names come to be. The cats describe how the naming of cats works ("The Naming Of Cats").
The cats head home as the only cat with a proper English name, Victoria the white cat, showcases her unique ballet abilities as well as her extreme flexibility ("Victoria the White Cat"). Munkustrap invites all of the cats to come out of hiding and attend the Jellicle Ball that following evening, which is where their leader would choose one of them to be reborn into a new jellicle life. This event only occurs once a year ("The Invitation To The Jellicle Ball"). The cats discuss who the nominations should be and Munkustrap puts forward Jennyanydots, a tabby cat who worries too much about the other animals that roam around the junkyard ("The Old Gumbie Cat").
They are rudely interrupted by another cat, named the Rum Tum Tugger, who explains that he is indecisive and has too big of an ego for the junkyard that they live in ("The Rum Tum Tugger"). An elderly cat walks in, as the rest of the population exiles her. Bombalurina and Demeter, the two leading female cats, explain how she is Grizabella, a cat who lived life to the fullest and flirted with all of the male cats ("Grizabella: The Glamour Cat"). Bombalurina then puts forward Bustopher Jones, a cat who is rather large and the mayor of the town they live in. ("Bustopher Jones").
The cats leave to get ready for the Jellicle Ball in the upcoming evening. Two twin cats named Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer stay onstage, explaining that they are the tricksters of the town and tend to steal items from other cats ("Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer"). A loud crash is heard as the Jellicle reconvene, noticing that Bustopher and Jennyanydots have gone missing. However, in that moment, the cats' leader, Old Deuteronomy steps in and commences the Jellicle Ball ("Old Deuteronomy/The Jellicle Ball"). On the outskirts of the premises, Grizabella attempts to repeat the dance moves from previous balls, but fails due to her failing bones. She sits outside and attempts to remember the good times when she was welcomed by the other cats ("Grizabella The Glamour Cat Reprise/Memory 1").
Old Deuteronomy watches Grizabella from afar and notices that all of the cats are living well, and that she truly deserves a second chance ("The Moments of Happiness"). In the meantime, Jellyrolum, another cat, puts forward Gus to be reborn. Gus is a elder cat who lived outside the stage doors of theatres and went onstage for some performances ("Gus: The Theatre Cat"). Skimbleshanks puts his name forward so he can be reunited with the train station ("Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat"). In this moment, a third crash is heard as Old Deuteronomy is mysteriously kidnapped.
The cats go in a panic as the two leading female felines explain the situation. They explain that the gang is slowly being kidnapped by Macavity, a mystery cat. His crimes and plans are unknown and he is quite seducive ("Macavity: The Mystery Cat"). The Rum Tum Tugger puts forward Mr Mistofelees, the magical cat, who successfully brings Old Deuteronomy back to the junkyard ("Mr Mistofelees"). As Old Deuteronomy is about to make his decision, Grizabella walks in and sings, once again, of being outed and not accepted by her breed, and longs for a better life ("Memory"). The cats finally accept Grizabella as Old Deuteronomy chooses Grizabella to be the cat that could be sent to the Heaviside Layer ("Journey To The Heaviside Layer"). The night ends with Mr Mistofelees explaining to the world to accept one and other and perfectly explains the definition for serendipity ("The Addressing Of The Cats").
Now, I know what you are thinking: "Cats is supposed to have little to no plot, why is this review so elongated." To me, cats has no plot, but is a metaphor for the different stages of life one goes through as well as the people you meet. You start out as a child, alike to Victoria, the youngest cat and the dreams and aspirations that children want, meanwhile rejecting the elders. Next the cats meet young adulthood, with Bustopher and the twin cats, where you can mess around. The ball is a metaphor for the worklife and Grizabella showcases her fear of going inside. Next, we enter the workforce with Skimbleshanks and Gus, while we finally grow old and reconvene of the wonderful life we lived with Memory. Cats is whatever you want it to be, a blank plot with so much symbolism to fill.
Cats gets a 7.