Cats the movie – UK release date, reviews, cast, trailer and plot
CATS, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s award-winning musical, has been turned into a movie for the first time and it is already dividing film critics.
With a star-studded cast including Taylor Swift, Jennifer Hudson and Idris Elba the film was always going to draw attention but what exactly have viewers been saying?
When is the UK release date for Cats?
Cats will hit UK and USA theatres on Friday, December 20, 2019 – just days before Christmas Day.
The launch of the film will be the first time Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats has been adapted for the big screen and certainly hopes to replicate some of the success of its original theatre version.
His musical, which is based on Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot, debuted in the West End in 1981 and on Broadway in 1982.
It went on to win numerous awards, including Best Musical at the Laurence Olivier Awards and the Tony Awards.
Who is in the cast for Cats the movie?
The film is not lacking talent, as international popstars, award-winning actors, comedians and a presenter have signed up to appear in the flick.
Leading the stellar line-up is superstar Taylor Swift, who stars alongside Jennifer Hudson and The Late Late Show’s James Corden.
Other megastars include Dame Judi Dench, Jason Derulo, Idris Elba, Ian McKellen, Rebel Wilson and Francesca Hayward.
Francesca, is a Royal Ballet principal dancer, who will play the role of main character Victoria and this will be her first feature film.
Is there a trailer for Cats the movie?
Yes, the trailer starring Taylor, Jennifer, James, Judi, Jason, Idris, Ian, Rebel and Francesca has been out since Thursday, July 18, 2019.
In the tantalising teaser, the playful felines are seen clambering through the cobbled streets, before parading around an enormous house.
All the while Grammy-award-winning singer Jennifer, who is a judge on The Voice UK, belts out the tear-jerking track Memory.
However, fans have said the trailer is far from cuddly.
Film critic Scott Mendelson tweeted: "The first trailer for cats is appropriately terrifying and insane, like a drug-induced nightmare. I can't wait!"
Who are the writers and directors of Cats the movie?
Oscar-winning director Tom Hoope, whose credentials include The King’s Speech, Les Misérables and The Danish Girl, turns Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical into a cinematic event.
He co-wrote the screenplay together with Lee Hall, an English playwright known for writing the 2000 film Billy Elliot.
What are the film critics saying about Cats?
Broadway star Alan Henry tweeted: "The CATS movie is the strangest, most bewildering, queerest, magical, and spectacular cinematic experience I have ever had. I am not sure what just happened but I know that it was something worth experiencing."
While writer/director Ben Mekler seemed to agree as he tweeted: "Uh, #Cats is kinda great? Everything that seemed weird in the trailers just melts away when you’re watching the film.
"It’s magical and just plain works with the sole exception of Taylor Swift’s original song about the cats devouring the corpse of an old woman who died in her flat."
Full Circle Cine's Marcos Melendez tweeted: "I genuinely hope that everyone seeing the big film this week enjoys it. Not all the time you see something so special and unique at the theaters. Talking about #Cats of course.
"If they don’t then they’ll be scarred for life. Salute to those writing reviews."
While Variety's Caroline Framke added: "We live in a Jellicle society... It brings me no pleasure to report that CATS is way too horny for its own good."
Her co-worker Rebecca Rubin wrote: "#CatsMovie is 120 minutes of pure and utter insanity and I may never sleep again."
While Vogue's Keaton Kidle wrote: "The worst thing about Cats is that Jason Derulo is the best part."
What do stars have to say about Cats?
Taylor is thrilled to be apart of the film and has gushed about the original musical, saying: “This musical is timeless. We got to update it in ways that I think are just so, so, so great.”
In a behind-the-scenes video, she added: "My first memories of performance go back to when I was in Pennsylvania growing up.
“My favourite thing was getting to be theatrical, to tell a story and I've always brought that narrative element to my live shows."
Meanwhile, Jason said: “I've always been obsessed with singing and dancing, but it all started with me in the kitchen with my socks on trying to do the moonwalk!"