There was a lot of anticipation surrounding the new musical film production of “Cats” given big names like Taylor Swift, James Corden and Jason Derulo are part of the starring performers. However, the latest trailer released by Universal this week has instantly turned off many people from the possibility of going to see the movie when it releases in December. The reason? It’s downright creepy.
A Historic Success
The problem isn’t the storyline. In fact, “Cats” is based on a Tony-Award winning musical composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber. It was one of the longest running shows on Broadway at 18 years and its songs have been referenced in other films and productions, such as the famous audition scene in “School of Rock.”
Where The New “Cats” Went Wrong
With a killer cast and world-class dancers, the movie was set to be a hit. Until… the trailer came out. Instead of using the classic costumes worn in the Broadway version, the director Tom Hooper decided to try a CGI alternative. The result was creepy digital fur that made the human actors look like like were from another planet.
A Lack Of Pawsitivity On Twitter
People were quick to share their critical responses on Twitter, noting for example the absurd uncomfortable feeling we have seeing naked, yet not naked people-cats running around everywhere.
somehow the people in Cats look more nude than if they were actually nude, and it's weird as hell. pic.twitter.com/vw8vtsIAUa
— Gavia Baker-Whitelaw (@Hello_Tailor) July 18, 2019
Sexist Depictions Of The Cats?
Some criticized that this “nude” version that mimicked the bodies of their human actors actually made them look overtly sexual. Part of this is due to the nature of the musical itself. It does have sexual themes (you can infer, we ARE talking cats here). And yet, Hooper’s version goes one step further. And viewers couldn’t help but notice that this was primarily seen only in the female cats…
"Why do the man cats wear clothes but the lady cats don't?" she thought, several hours after the cauldron of cat-madness had boiled away all strength to resist pic.twitter.com/hOxGGWffR1
— Sady Doyle (@sadydoyle) July 19, 2019
Size Matters
Others were more upset at the logistical aspects of the film, such as the miniature size of the “cats.”
I OWN A VERY SMALL CAT SHE DOES NOT LOOK THIS TINY ON MY BED pic.twitter.com/0vipSd5vm9
— Emily “kind of a speed freak” Heller (@emilypheller) 18 de julio de 2019
Musical Or Horror Film?
The best take might be from Ian Abramson, who paired the “Us” music to the “Cats” trailer. Jordan Peele even retweeted the creation in agreement, as it truly evokes the uneasiness we all were feeling.
— Jordan Peele (@JordanPeele) July 19, 2019
The movie doesn’t release until December, so only time will tell if this musical film will end up being a box office hit or a serious fur pas.
Cover Photo: Youtube: Universal Pictures