Cats (2021 film)

Cats, stylized as CATS, is an animated film based on Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical of the same name, which itself is based on T.S Elliot's poetry book "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats". The film was released on May 11, 2021.

Synopsis
The leader a tribe of cats must choose which cat will ascend to the Heaviside Layer and be reborn.

Plot
After the opening credits ("Overture"), a car drives past a junkyard, which upon further inspection is much bigger than first thought. One by one, cats crawl out of their hiding places, and begin to sing praises of their tribe, the Jellicles. Two of the cats, Skimbleshanks and Munkustrap notice some one watching them with a look of shock, which just so happens to be the viewer(s). The Jellicles are dumbfounded by the thought that someone who doesn't know what they are ("Jellicle Songs For Jellicle Cats"). The cats then explain how each cat has 3 different names. A name from their owner, a name from themself, and a secret name ("The Naming of Cats"). Afterwards, the white queen, Victoria, showcases her dancing skills. She's a little shy, as she's a kitten growing into adulthood, but the other Jellicles find her stunning nonetheless ("Victoria (The White Cat Solo)"). Quaxo, a tuxedo cat, slides into the scene (quite literally), and invites everyone (including you) to the Jellicle Ball, an occasion on which the Jellicle Leader, Old Deuteronomy, will appear and decide which cat will ascend to the Heaviside Layer ("Invitation"). Munkustrap, a grey tabby cat and the son of the Jellicle Leader, and Quaxo introduce the first candidate for the Heaviside Layer, Jennyanydots (with the help of Demeter, Bombalurina, and Jellylorum). Jenny prefers to sleep all day, but when her family is asleep, she teaches the roaches of the house several activities, that will possibly stop their strange behaviors ("The Old Gumbie Cat"). The mood quickly changes to an Elvis concert as Munkustrap's younger brother, the Rum Tum Tugger arrives and sings about..well, himself ("The Rum Tum Tugger"). Tugger's party is crashed by a cat by the name of Grizabella, an old, weary, and outcasted cat. The adults never allow the small, curious kittens to interact with her. All Grizabella wants is to be accepted by the Jellicles again ("Grizabella: The Glamour Cat"). A fat and wealthy cat named Bustopher Jones arrives (introduced by Jellylorum, Jennyanydots, and Bombalurina) who just got back from one of his favorite clubs. He talks to the cats about his choices of foods and clubs ("Bustopher Jones: The Cat About Town"). Suddenly, there is loud crash and Demeter screams "MACAVITY!", causing everyone to scatter. The film pauses for a moment to give some information on Macavity ("Macavity Interlude: Part One"), a voice introduces a black cat named Mr. Mistoffelees, and the source of the crash is revealed to be Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer, two young twin cats who steal from people in their neighborhood who somehow never get caught. Thankfully, the Jellicles catch them and make them retreat before anything else happens ("Mungojerrie & Rumpleteazer"). The psychic twins Tantomile and Coricopat predict the arrival of the Jellicle Leader (and the father of Tugger and Munkustrap), Old Deuteronomy. Everyone is very excited to greet him and see him as Munkustrap and Tugger sing about their father. The former announces that the Jellicle festivities can begin now that Old Deuteronomy has arrived ("Old Deuteronomy"). Suddenly, there is another loud crash and, whoever Macavity is, returns. Everyone scurries away except Munkustrap and Old Deuteronomy. The film pauses yet again to tell more about Macavity ("Macavity Interlude: Part Two"). When everyone steps out of their hiding places, the Jellicle Ball officially begins. Everyone is dancing and singing and celebrating, and Victoria officially "grows up" and does the pas de deux (or mating dance) with Quaxo. But Grizabella appears yet again. The cats who sense her (Quaxo, Coricopat, & Tantomile) chase her away, while the rest of the cats bring out the big guns and showcase even more spectacular moves ("The Jellicle Ball"). Grizabella appears once more and Sillabub, the youngest kitten in the entire tribe, tries to convince Jellylorum that Grizabella just needs someone to help her, to no avail ("Grizabella: The Glamour Cat (Reprise)"). After everyone (excluding Old Deuteronomy) leaves, Grizabella tries to recreate the magic of the ball, but her bad condition keeps her from doing so. With no one else around she begins to sing ("Memory (Prelude)"). Old Deuteronomy sits on his throne of trash and contemplates what happiness is (referring to Grizabella) but no one understands what he means ("The Moments of Happiness"). Coricopat and Tantomile sense that Sillabub understands Old Deuteronomy's message and telepathically asks her to sing the message in simpler terms, to which Sillabub obliges ("Moonlight"). Jellylorum, a golden tabby, introduces Gus, an older cat who used to be a theatre actor. He and Jellylorum sing about his fame many years ago. Gus recalls playing Fireforefiddle: The Fiend of the Fell, understudying Dick Whittington's cat, acting alongside Henry Irving and Herbert Beerbohm Tree, etc. Old Deuteronomy convinces Gus to act as the Rumpus Cat again and relive his glory days; Gus agrees ("Gus: The Theatre Cat"). The play is called "The Awefull Battle of the Pekes & the Pollicles", which tells the story of two dog tribes about to fight. The battle is stopped by the legendary Rumpus Cat. The play goes moderately well and Gus has the time of his life ("The Awefull Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles"). The cats then introduce Skimbleshanks the cat who "runs" the train from London to Glasgow. While recounting his life as the "Railway Cat", he asks the cats to help build a train out of trash. When the train is finished and Skimble is ready to show their work to Old Deuteronomy, it falls apart because the cats lose coordination. With a shrug and a laugh, Skimble's song continues ("Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat"). The fun is interrupted by Macavity yet again, who rather than suspected to be there, actually appears. Macavity's henchcats capture Old Deuteronomy, leaving the cats leaderless. Afterwards, Demeter and Bombalurina tell everything they know about Macavity. Macavity comes back again, but gets into a fight with Munkustrap while attempting to kidnap Demeter. When other cats join in and Macavity is outnumbered, he snuffs out the power ("Macavity: The Mystery Cat"). All hope seems to be lost, but Rum Tum Tugger suggests that the cats ask Mr. Mistoffelees (Quaxo's alter ego) for help. Mr. Mistoffelees make sure everyone is happy while he showcases his powers and his infamous "Conjuring Turn". Mistoffelees succeeds in bringing back Old Deuteronomy and everyone celebrates ("Mr. Mistoffelees"). Sillabub, who notices the sun is coming up, tells everyone that it is time for Old Deuteronomy to make the Jellicle Choice; Munkustrap reminds the viewers what the Jellicle Choice is ("Daylight/The Jellicle Choice"). Before anything else happens, Grizabella appears one last time and begs to be accepted by the tribe again, with Sillabub supporting her ("Memory"). Victoria, fully convinced, holds Grizabella hand and accepts her into the tribe again, the other cats in tow. Grizabella is chosen to go to the Heaviside Layer and the Jellicles wish her well ("The Journey to the Heaviside Layer"). Old Dueteronomy then reminds the audience how to properly address cats ("The Ad-dressing of Cats"). The Jellicles dance one final time ("Finale") and take their bows ("Curtain Call"). After the credits, the Jellicles gather around and watch Grizabella return from the Heaviside Layer and the film ends.

Cast
Elijah Wood as Alonzo

Christopher Gurr as Asparagus, Bustopher Jones

Christine Cornish Smith as Bombalurina

Emily Pynenburg as Cassandra

Corey John Snide as Coricopat

Ilyssa Levy as Demeter

Tara Strong as Etcetera, Electra

Julian Hillard as George

Mamie Parris as Grizabella

Rebecca Parham as Jellylorum

Eloise Kropp as Jennyanydots

Collin Jeffrey as Macaroni

Daniel Gaymon as Macavity

Giuseppe Bausilio as Mistoffelees

Benjamin Yates as Mungojerrie

Andy Jones as Munkustrap

Ken Page as Old Deuteronomy

Cian Hughes as Plato

Duke Cutler as Pouncival

Dawn Williams as Rumpleteazer

George Hinson as Rum Tum Tugger

Arianna Rosario as Sillabub

Matthew Rowland as Skimbleshanks

Emily Tate as Tantomile

Jacob Tremblay as Tumblebrutus

Ellie Young as Victoria

Soundtrack

 * 1) Overture - Orchestra
 * 2) Jellicle Songs For Jellicle Cats - Company×
 * 3) The Naming of Cats - Company
 * 4) Victoria (The White Cat Solo) - Orchestra
 * 5) Invitation - Quaxo, Munkustrap, Company
 * 6) The Old Gumbie Cat - Munkustrap, Quaxo, Bombalurina, Demeter, Jellylorum, Jennyanydots, Company
 * 7) Invitation (Reprise) - Munkustrap, Company
 * 8) The Rum Tum Tugger - Rum Tum Tugger, Company
 * 9) Grizabella: The Glamour Cat - Company
 * 10) Bustopher Jones: The Cat About Town - Bustopher Jones, Jennyanydots, Jellylorum, Bombalurina
 * 11) Macavity Interlude: Part One - Female Company
 * 12) Mungojerrie & Rumpleteazer - Mungojerrie, Rumpleteazer
 * 13) Old Dueteronomy - Company+
 * 14) Macavity Interlude: Part Two - Demeter, Bombalurina
 * 15) The Jellicle Ball - Company, Orchestra
 * 16) Grizabella: The Glamour Cat (Reprise) - Sillabub
 * 17) Memory (Prelude) - Grizabella
 * 18) The Moments of Happiness - Old Dueteronomy
 * 19) Moonlight - Sillabub, Company
 * 20) Gus: The Theatre Cat - Gus, Jellylorum, Old Dueteronomy×
 * 21) The Awefull Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles - Company
 * 22) Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat - Skimbleshanks, Old Dueteronomy, Rumpleteazer, Company
 * 23) Macavity: The Mystery Cat - Female Company
 * 24) Mr. Mistoffelees - Rum Tum Tugger, Mr. Mistoffelees, Company<
 * 25) Daylight - Sillabub, Munkustrap
 * 26) Memory - Grizabella, Sillabub<
 * 27) The Journey to the Heaviside Layer - Company×
 * 28) The Ad-dressing of Cats - Company+
 * 29) Finale - Orchestra
 * 30) Curtain Call - Company, Orchestra

Bold text - Not included on either soundtrack

Italicized text - Only on deluxe soundtrack

Underlined text - Alternate version on deluxe soundtrack

+ - Altered in both albums

× - Only altered in one album

< - Single version released, only altered there

Changes
Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats:


 * Some lines are given to different cats.
 * Alonzo flies on the trapeze.
 * Restores the 1998 version of "Are you mean like a minx? Are you lean like a lynx?"

The Naming of Cats:


 * The lyrics “But I tell you a cat needs a name that's particular, a name that's peculiar, and more dignified.” is changed to “But I tell you a cat needs a name in particular, that's strange, peculiar, and more dignified.”

Invitation:


 * This version brings back the original Broadway version of the song where the ensemble repeats after Quaxo.
 * In the DVD version, the cast sings an excerpt from "The Jellicle Ball" rather than repeating Quaxo, bringing back the London version of the song.

The Old Gumbie Cat:


 * The Gumbie Trio sings the second verse.
 * Uses Broadway version.
 * Uses some of Bill Deamer’s updated tap dance choreography.
 * Rathet than Quaxo singing the entire song, or Munkustrap singing the entire song, both characters sing.

The Rum Tum Tugger:


 * Uses a mix of Gillian Lynne’s choreography and Andy Blankenbuehler’s choreography, along with some original choreography.
 * Munkustrap and Quaxo say the “terrible bore” line.  Munkustrap says it to get Tugger to stop and Quaxo says it jokingly.

Grizabella: The Glamour Cat:


 * Uses Broadway version of the song

Bustopher Jones:


 * Restores the two stanzas that were cut.
 * Cuts out the dance break used in the 2016 revival.

Macavity Interlude: Part One:


 * Places in the interlude from the 2016 revival.
 * Places the interlude after Bustopher’s song rather than Old Deuteronomy.

Mungojerrie & Rumpleteazer


 * Uses 1998 version (London version is on DVD)
 * Keeps "Mistoffelees" opening.
 * On the DVD version, the key of the opening is changed to match the opening of the original Broadway version of the next song.
 * "Macavity Interlude: Part One" is cut in DVD version, along with the "Mistoffelees" opening

Old Deuteronomy:


 * Cuts out "Macavity" opening from the Broadway version
 * Uses Broadway version rather than London version.
 * London version is on soundtracks
 * Ending of soundtrack version is based on the Broadway version

Macavity Interlude: Part Two/The Awefull Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles:


 * Uses entirely original, new interlude
 * Replaces "Pekes and Pollicles" song

The Jellicle Ball:


 * Merges "Songs of the Jellicles" with "The Jellicle Ball"
 * Victoria does the mating dance with Quaxo, rather than Plato. This is done in major replica productions.
 * This means that the ship Mistoria is canon in the film.
 * Victoria has also done the dance with Tumblebrutus, Pouncival, Admetus, Carbucketty, and Alonzo in replica productions.
 * "Redistributed lines.
 * Mix of Gillian Lynne’s choreography and original choreography. Orginal choreography is only during "Songs of the Jellicles". The entire dance sequence uses Gillian Lynne's original choreography.

Grizabella: The Glamour Cat


 * Sillabub sings alone rather than Jellylorum singing with her.
 * 1 key higher
 * Ending is based on the London version.

Moonlight:


 * Sillabub's solo is its own song, rather than being tied to "The Moments of Happiness"

Gus: The Theatre Cat:


 * The lyrics "And I once played Growltiger, could do it again

could do it again, could do it again" is changed to the lyrics used in the revival.

Growltiger/Pekes and Pollicles:


 * "Growltiger" is omitted completely is replaced by "Pekes and the Pollicles"
 * "Heathen Chinese" is changed to "Winsome Chinese" and "Foreign Chinese"
 * Gus' Rumpus Cat costume is slightly redesigned.

Macavity: The Mystery Cat (song/fight)


 * Restores London version of the song and fight (Alonzo comes in at the end, rather than somewhere in the middle of the fight).
 * Demeter and Bombalurina sing "Or the greenhouse glass is broken!" like it is sung in the 1998 film.
 * The fight choreography is a mix of original choreography, Andy Blankenbuehler’s choreography, and Gillian Lynne’s choreography.
 * Macavity showcases his duplication powers more.
 * Macavity now has the ability to change his appearance. This was done as a tribute to all of Macavity's different designs.
 * Macavity uses his hypnotism powers more.

Mr. Mistoffelees:


 * Rather than Tugger singing the entire song, or Mistoffelees singing one verse, the second verse is a back and forth between Tugger and Mistoffelees:

Tugger:

His manner is vague and aloof

Mistoffelees:

Yeah, and you would think that there was nobody shyer

Tugger:

Though his voice has been heard on the roof

Mistoffelees:

While I was curled up by the fire

Tugger:

And he's sometimes been heard by the fire

Mistoffelees/Tugger:

While I/he was about on the roof.

Tugger:

At least, we all heard that somebody purred

Mistoffelees/Tugger:

Which is incontestable proof

Tugger:

Of his singular magical powers

And I've known the family to call

Him in from the garden for hours

While he was asleep in the hall


 * Original choreography, Gillian Lynne's choreography, and Andy Blankenbuehler’s choreography
 * Restores the tap-off originally from "The Old Gumbie Cat". Mostly original choreography for the the tap-off.
 * Dance break after the second verse.
 * Features some original music, along with the revival's music and the original music.
 * Version with pitch change
 * Although Mistoffelees mates with Victoria, it is implied that he is bisexual, as during his musical number, rather than pulling out a rainbow flag from his bucket, he pulls out a bisexual flag and winks at Tugger, implying that Tugger might also be bisexual.
 * Also, during some parts where Mistoffelees' light-up jacket is rainbow in the revival, the lights are changed to the colors of the bisexual flag, further supporting the theory.

The Ad-Dressing of Cats:


 * Uses Broadway version.
 * London version is on soundtracks

General

 * Heavily inspired by the 2016 Broadway revival.
 * Uses swing characters from other productions. (e.g. Yellow Mac (named Macaroni in the film) from the Chinese Production as one of Macavity's duplicates/alternate forms.)
 * Restores things from the London production that were cut out in the Broadway production (e.g. The extended version of "Bustopher Jones")

During the Curtain Call, there are some nods to Growltiger. Jellylorum's tail is white and bushy (a reference to Griddlebone) and Gus' patched blanket/coat has more grey patches (a reference to the revised Growltiger). Gus also wears a reddish orange bandana (a reference to the original Growlitiger). Gus also wears the black cape from his "Rumpus Cat" costume.