Preview Mode Links will not work in preview mode

One Movie Punch


Jan 28, 2020

Hi everyone!

It’s Takeover Tuesday, and we’re welcoming back our good friends at the How I Met Your Friends podcast! Today, they’re tackling the film everyone loves to hate this year, the cinematic trainwreck known as CATS. I’m actually disappointed with the reviews so far, because one of my favorite CDs in my youth was a collection of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s greatest hits, including “Mr. Mistoffelees”. I’m not exactly sure how they could possibly translate this song to the screen, but I think we know now how not to do it. Or do we? Julie and Kathleen will be up in a moment with two very different views.

Do you think you have what it takes to guest on One Movie Punch? Head over to onemoviepunch.com/takeover-tuesday and learn more about how you can guest here at One Movie Punch. We still have five (5) slots available for aspiring and established film critics to take the reins for an episode. We’ll run your promo before the review and will place it in regular rotation for the quarter. If it sounds like something interesting to you, reach out to us over social media.

Subscribe to stay current with the latest releases.

Contribute at Patreon for exclusive content.

Connect with us over social media to continue the conversation.

Here we go!

/////

<< HOW I MET YOUR FRIENDS PROMO >>

/////

JOSEPH: “All right, let’s call this meeting to order. Thank you all for joining us, in person here and around the world via conference call. We’ll skip the roll call and get to it.”

JOSEPH: “First order of business, and we’re running out of time folks. I’ve got a review that needs to get done right away, and I’m looking for a volunteer. Amy, can you take this one?”

ONE MOVIE SPOUSE: “I am One Movie Spouse, after all. Saving you is kind of my thing!”

JOSEPH: “Great, it’s CATS, so...”

ONE MOVIE SPOUSE: “Well, you see...”

JOSEPH: “Okay. One Movie Spawn?”

ONE MOVIE SPAWN: “ARE YOU SERIOUS?!”

JOSEPH: “Okay. No need to be so touchy. Andrew. Buddy.”

ANDREW: “Um, yeah. I’ve got to take care of some other stuff.”

JOSEPH: “I’m seeing a pattern here. Keith, are you begging off as well?”

KEITH: “I mean, sure, now it might seem like...”

JOSEPH: “Okay. Ryan, this one’s got your name on it!”

RYAN: “I’m not entirely sure how you can place the entire blame on me...”

JOSEPH: “Blame? I mean, it’s bad, but... Shane?”

SHANE: “No! NO!”

JOSEPH: “How about anyone out there on the conference call?”

GROUP: *CHATTER*

JOSEPH: “Okay, fine. Let’s just see who didn’t make the call today... Oh. Oh, I know who can review this one. That’s the last time they miss a meeting. Okay, that’s settled.”

JOSEPH: “Item two...”

/////

Today’s movie is CATS(2019), just released at the end of 2019, the musical film directed by Tom Hooper and based off of the stage production of the same name by Andrew Lloyd Webber. CATS has something for everyone, as long as you already love musicals and are familiar with this one. It's probably best if you're into ballet, too.

No spoilers in this one, folks.

CATS, the movie musical, is based on the stage production of the same name by Andrew Lloyd Webber. It opens on a white kitten named Victoria (Francesca Hayward) being dumped in the London streets. Other strays find her and take her along for the evening ahead. The strays are Jellicle cats and it is the night of their yearly gathering, the Jellicle Ball. Throughout the night, we meet the cats contending for a chance to go to the Heaviside Layer and start a new life.

Victoria meets many cats along the way. Mr. Mistoffelees (Laurie Davidson) is a magician cat who develops a crush on her. Rebel Wilson plays Jennyanydots the Gumbie Cat, who is also competing to go to the Heaviside Layer. Wilson and James Corden, playing Bustopher Jones, steal the show with hilarious quips and inside jokes.

By the end of the evening, we've been entertained by all the contenders and followed a budding romance. Dame Judi Dench, who missed playing Grizabella in the original production because of an injury, plays Old Deuteronomy, the Elder of the Jellicle cats, who will select this year's winning contestant.

CATSis a magically weird little movie that doesn’t quite live up to the hype. We definitely recommend this to fans of musicals and the original CATS. Not a fan of either of those? Perhaps skip this one.

Rotten Tomatoes: 20% 

Metacritic: 32 

One Movie Punch: 5.0/10

CATS (2019) is rated PG and is available in theaters.