Cats
Cats is officially the first movie to receive a 1% rating on MovieMunchy.com and the first entry in our 100 Days, 100 Reviews series. But what actually makes Cats so bad?
I have to start with the obvious problem: the cats just look weird. Cats features one of the most infamous examples of the uncanny valley effect in cinema history. The digitally edited fur layered onto human bodies makes the characters uncomfortable to watch. The strange CGI not only distracts from the story but also diminishes the acting and dancing. It’s hard to take the film seriously when characters parade around with whiskers, tails, and animated fur.
Even with a star-studded cast including Idris Elba and Judi Dench, the real actors become almost unnoticeable compared to the over-the-top performances from Taylor Swift, Jason Derulo, James Corden, and Rebel Wilson. The combination of unsettling visuals and inconsistent performances makes the movie difficult to watch.
Cats is obviously based on the famous stage production of the same name. While the musical is fun and whimsical and doesn’t necessarily need a strong plot, movies require a solid narrative backbone. The film version stretches thin material into nearly two hours of characters hissing at each other and introducing themselves. Without clear stakes or meaningful character development, the movie feels repetitive and directionless.
Since Cats is a musical movie, the songs should at least be good, right? No. Casting actors who struggle vocally, especially in a musical film, is one of the dumbest decisions I’ve ever seen. On top of that, the decision to use live vocals means many songs feel slightly off-beat or uneven, making parts of the soundtrack irritating rather than enjoyable.
Overall, Cats is one of, if not the worst, movies of all time. Between the unsettling CGI, weak plot, and inconsistent musical performances, it earns a 1% rating.
