Cats released to the unforgiving, unprepared masses around Christmas, and reviews have been nothing short of scathing. The musical CGI train wreck of the season, the backlash has been so severe that the official Oscar campaign for the film has been canceled.
And yet the movie does hold some merit on the awards front; for example, “Beautiful Ghosts” was nominated for Best Original Song at the Golden Globes. Despite its defeat, Cats is down, but is certainly not out. Here are five reasons Cats deserves some Oscar nods this season (and five reasons it deserves all the hate it has received thus far).
Oscar: The Singing Performances
Once the moviegoer gets past the insurmountable horror that is the nightmare fuel of uncanny valley with the CGI felines, one may be pleasantly surprised to discover that the singing performances are actually quite good in Cats.
Jennifer Hudson nails it with her rendition of “Memory,” and Jason Derulo is an unexpected gem during his song and dance number as Rum Tum Tugger. Even old acting stalwarts Sir Ian McKellen and Dame Judi Dench deliver serviceable performances for two individuals who are known more for their acting than their singing.
Razzie: Idris Elba
It’s usually a treat to see Idris Elba in a movie, no matter how questionable the material. After all, for every Beasts of No Nation or The Jungle Book, there’s The Dark Tower. This performance, however, falls into the latter category.
Idris isn’t really given much to do here aside from standing around, brooding and plotting in a trench coat and hat. When the articles of clothing do finally come off around the film’s climax, the mind cannot adequately process a naked, furry cat form of the venerable actor strutting around the screen.
Oscar: Stellar Acting Performances
Though it may be hard to detect beneath the layers of poorly rendered CGI, everyone came to work when they came for Cats; no one delivered a half-hearted performance.
This earnestness may have worked against the movie but at least it’s apparent to all involved that this was a serious affair; perhaps it was its severe lack of levity and self-awareness of how goofy the source material was that killed the impact of Cats. Still, newcomer Francesca Hayward gave it her all, and if she is to be burdened with this film as her first acting credit, the Academy should at least award her with a well-deserved Oscar nod for Best Actress.
Razzie: Review Embargo
It’s never a good sign when the movie in question prevents critics from attending an advance screening; that usually spells the kiss of death on whether or not it will be well-received.
While it’s not unheard of for divisive movies to overcome the odds and take the top prize, it is certainly an uphill battle, and not all films are up to the challenge. Poor reviews beget poor word of mouth begets poor sales. Therefore, the embargo can be seen as everyone involved with the creation of Cats admitting defeat.
Oscar: The Cinematography
Since the furry effects were added post-production with the aid of CGI effects, Cats have taken themselves out of contention for the Oscar categories Best Costume Design and Best Makeup and Hairstyling (ironically, the makeup and costumes are what had defined Cats for so many years and what had helped the musical endure for over 30 years.)
Instead, Cats still has a chance to be recognized in the category for Best Cinematography. Cinematographer Christopher Ross has also worked on 2019’s sleeper hit Yesterday, as well as the award-winning Room in 2015.
Razzie: The CGI
Does it need to be said? One of the biggest and earliest criticisms to befall Cats was its baffling choice to plop the recognizable faces of big-name-stars onto the bodies of CGI cats; the effect was as jarring as it is terrifying. Negative reactions came by the thousands on Youtube after the trailer’s initial reveal.
In another world, this movie could have been fully animated; Steven Spielberg once expressed interest in pursuing the project. Instead what moviegoers got were characters that looked only slightly better than what Dreamworks did to their celebrities in Antz and Shark Tale.
Oscar: They Tried Something Different
If nothing else, Cats should be recognized for at least trying to do something different. Even if detractors are questioning how this movie got made, the fact of the matter is that it DID get made. A calculated risk was taken to introduce the world to a dated Broadway musical almost 40 years old.
Perhaps the hope was that Cats would feel removed from time, or conjure up nostalgia for a bygone era where a musical about Jellicle cats based on a poem by T. S. Eliot could become a breakout hit. Or maybe it would be perceived as a whimsical romp that would attract and entrance viewers. No dice. Good or bad, the movie is certainly unpredictable for the uninitiated; at least it has that going for it.
Razzie: The Mice and Cockroaches
The cockroaches. Oh, God, the cockroaches. There is a scene early on in the film where the movie introduces a tubby tabby housecat who goes by the name Jennyanydots, played Rebel Wilson. Jennyanydots pleads her case to attend the Jellicle ball, an event that takes place under the Jellicle moon where all the Jellicle cats vie to be chosen for reincarnation. She then shows off her ability to train mice and cockroaches under her tutelage.
The mice are creepy enough as it is, what with their childlike voices and face. But it’s the appearance of the cockroaches that dial the surreal meter up to 11. Imagine the singing-dancing cockroaches of Joe’s Apartment with the uncanny uniformness of several identical Oompa Loompas from the 2005 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory…and that doesn’t get close to the visual absurdity that assaults the viewer as they’re still trying to ascertain what the heck Jellicle even means.
Oscar: No One Saw It
As counterintuitive as it may seem, the best thing that Cats has going for it is actually its poor performance in the box office. Historically, the movies that end up taking the top prize at the Academy Awards aren’t the most popular, nor are they huge blockbuster hits; just take a look at 2008’s The Hurt Locker, or 2016’s Moonlight.
In fact, with its $100-million budget, Cats doesn’t stand a hairball’s chance of recouping its money, especially since it made only a paltry $6-million opening weekend. There’s still a chance the Oscars will prove everyone wrong and grace Cats with some notable, surprise nods. After all, Suicide Squad was critically panned, and yet it still went on to win an Oscar.
Razzie: It’s…CATS
Aside from the litany of cat-related puns devised to adequately lampoon the movie (ie catastrophe, cataclysm, the list goes on…), Cats may start this dubious legacy of films about felines equating to box office poison. Who can forget the other Razzie-worthy film about cats: Catwoman?
Halle Berry herself even accepted her award in person! Much like movies about Mars are best to be avoided if a studio wants success (barring The Martian), Cats may be ushering in a new trend at the turn of the decade, where being a cat-related property is akin to not wanting success.
