‘Cats’ Movie: Audiences Are Conflicted In First Reactions

“Cats” had its world premiere on Monday night and audience reactions to the film have started to trickle out. Ahead of the official release on Friday, critics and audiences have given their thoughts on the film and apparently, they have no idea how to respond to “Cats.”

Based on the musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber, “Cats” follows a tribe of felines known as the Jellicles as they make the “Jellicle choice,” deciding which one of them will go to the Heaviside Layer and return to a new life. The film used some cutting edge technology in order for the actors to have a feline appearance on screen. The star-studded cast includes Judi Dench, Idris Elba, Jennifer Hudson, Taylor Swift, James Corden, Jason Derulo, Rebel Wilson, and Ian McKellan.

Per ComicBook.com, many have offered their unique perspectives on the film after watching Tom Hooper’s adaptation at the New York premiere. It’s a mixed response for sure, but it has gotten a lot of people talking on social media.

Broadway actor Alan Henry found the film to be “the strangest, most bewildering, queerest, magical, and spectacular cinematic experience” they have ever watched. Meanwhile, producer Ben Mekler said that “everything that seemed weird in the trailers” is “magical and just plain works” in the film.

However, there are some who think otherwise. Critics like Variety’s Caroline Framke said the movie may have been “too horny for its own good” while praising McKellan’s portrayal as Gus. And while Swift’s song was cut from being on the Oscar’s shortlist for Best Original Song, “Beautiful Ghost” has received a good response from Variety’s Ramin Setoodeh.

“Cats” hits theaters on Friday.