At this point the film adaption of CATS is pretty much synonymous with catastrophe (and no, we’re not talking about a character from the musical). Mention it to your colleagues over morning coffee or your friends at dinner and you’re likely to get the same response: a wrinkled nose and a knowing look; “did you hear that The Telegraph gave it no stars at all?” they ask.
First there was the trailer that collectively made the Internet scream, complete with strange proportions, disturbingly humanoid bodies and human hands, cats with breasts, cats with lips and James Corden hissing. Then came the first reviews – a confusing barrage of horror, anger, excitement, disgust and even horniness.
"The CATS movie is the strangest, most bewildering, queerest, magical, and spectacular cinematic experience I have ever had. I am not sure what just happened but I know that it was something worth experiencing [sic],” wrote Broadway World's Alan Henry.
“Watching CATS is like stumbling upon an unholy and heretofore unknown genre of porn. Every time these horny fur demons tongue a milk bowl and start moaning I was certain the FBI would raid the theater [sic],” The New York Times’s Kyle Buchanan tweeted.
“CATS is a demented fantasia of fur and frivolity, and watching it made me feel like I was losing my mind. Go see it immediately [sic],” wrote film critic Isaac Feldberg.
“"CATS is everything you hoped it would be: A pure, unapologetic, 100% drug induced musical acid trip for nearly 2 hours. Can’t recall the last time I was this dumbstruck by a piece of entertainment. Despite all of that, I kind of want to see it again!? Inebriated this time maybe? [sic],” Matt Neglia of Next Best Picture tweeted.
“whatever they paid Judi Dench it was not enough [sic],” joked journalist Rachel Handler.
Now it has been revealed that Universal will be sending thousands of cinemas an updated version ofCATSwith “some improved visual effects”after requests from the film’s director Tom Hooper himself, presumably to try to save the film before it is too late.
According to a memo obtained by _The Hollywood Reporter_the studio is asking that cinemas replace the current print of CATS. The memo was sent out on the same day the movie was released.
The news comes after Hooper revealed that the film had to be largely remade after the hugely critical reaction to the first trailer. It also comes after Hooper revealed that he had barely finished editing the CGI-heavy film in time for its December 16 world premiere in New York City.
It’s a totally unprecedented move for a film that’s already been released, proving the power that reviews and social media have. Power that we already saw in play earlier this year when backlash to Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic's humanoid teeth and body prompted a redesign of the character, a decision that cost Paramount $5 million and influenced the closing of the design company responsible.
While Working Title – who produced the star-studdedCATS – have reportedly spent roughly $100 million on the film after tax rebates and incentives and before marketing. It is not certain how much this updated version will cost.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the updated version of the film will be available in some cinemas by Sunday by download or Tuesday by hard drive, while Universal ask theatres to replace the current print of Cats as soon as possible.
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