7 Legitimate Reasons Why Cats Isn't As Bad As You Think
Despite all popular belief, this film does have some merits that aren't being discussed.
It's crucial to start this article by saying that this is by no means an attempt to claim that Cats is good. It's a mess, and the reception it's received is mostly valid. That being said, the disdain for this film means that plenty of things are being overlooked. After all, it is important to highlight what the film actually does right as well as what it does wrong.
Yes, the cats themselves look horrible, that is undeniable; the narrative is strange, and there is no need for the performers to be acting in the weird ways that they do. However, shockingly there are some sides to the film that should have received more positive attention. Because despite being the train wreck that it is, it's not without its genuine elements.
At the very least, if the goal of a movie is to get people talking and be remembered, then this project has succeeded more substantially than many respected pieces of media.
There hasn't been another film that was so clearly doomed since it's announcement. Many were expecting it to be terrible, and it was, but critics and audience goers are ignoring some surprisingly strong aspects. They may not save the film, but they deserve to be addressed.
7. The Choreography Is Good
Choreographed by the talented Andy Blankenbuehler, the dance numbers are an absolute highlight of the film. The characters may look ugly, but the quality of their movement is not.
Andy Blankenbuehler was also the choreographer behind Hamilton, and he brought similar energy to this project, injecting a selection of classical dance and more current styles.
It was incredibly important that they got this element right as the musical itself relied on its impressive dancing in order to be taken seriously. Cats was considered weird and outlandish, but no critics ever made an effort to discredit the choreography.
Consequently, the dancing was an element of the film they had to do well, and thankfully they did.
Another choice that helps was the decision to hire professional dancers rather than just actors. This lent credibility to the sequences and letting them take leading roles highlighted how seriously the filmmakers were taking movement.
It is a shame that no one is talking about the dancing quality as no matter your thoughts on the film, it's undeniable that the people responsible are incredibly hard working and talented.