# Cats

> 2019 film directed by Tom Hooper

**Wikidata**: [Q58701890](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q58701890)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cats_(2019_film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cats

## Summary
Cats is a 2019 musical fantasy film directed by Tom Hooper, based on the stage musical of the same name. The film was released in December 2019 and features a star-studded cast performing as anthropomorphic cats in a digital fur technology-enhanced world.

## Key Facts
- Directed by Tom Hooper, released in 2019
- Genre: musical film, fantasy film, comedy drama
- Production companies: Working Title Films, Amblin Entertainment, Really Useful Group
- Released in the United States and United Kingdom
- Official website: https://www.catsmovie.com/
- Wikidata description: "2019 film directed by Tom Hooper"
- Wikipedia title: "Cats (2019 film)"
- Sitelink count: 33

## FAQs
What is the film "Cats" about?
Cats is a musical fantasy film that follows a tribe of cats called the Jellicles who must decide yearly which one will ascend to the Heaviside Layer and come back to a new Jellicle life.

Who directed the 2019 film "Cats"?
The 2019 film "Cats" was directed by Tom Hooper, known for directing "The King's Speech" and "Les Misérables."

When was "Cats" released?
"Cats" was released on December 20, 2019, in the United States, with subsequent releases in other countries throughout December 2019 and January 2020.

What production companies were involved in making "Cats"?
The film was produced by Working Title Films, Amblin Entertainment, and the Really Useful Group, with distribution by Universal Pictures.

## Why It Matters
Cats represents a significant adaptation of one of the most successful stage musicals in history, bringing the beloved Andrew Lloyd Webber musical to the big screen with cutting-edge digital fur technology. The film's ambitious visual effects and star-studded cast aimed to introduce the story to a new generation while satisfying long-time fans of the stage production. Despite mixed critical reception, the film's technological innovations in digital character creation and its massive cultural footprint make it a notable entry in the musical film genre.

## Notable For
- Adaptation of the longest-running Broadway musical
- Pioneering use of digital fur technology for character design
- Star-studded ensemble cast including Judi Dench, Idris Elba, Jennifer Hudson, Ian McKellen, Taylor Swift, and James Corden
- Directed by Academy Award-winning director Tom Hooper
- Significant budget and marketing campaign for a musical film
- Controversial visual effects that sparked widespread discussion and memes

## Body
### Production and Development
The 2019 film adaptation of "Cats" was directed by Tom Hooper, who had previously directed the successful film adaptation of "Les Misérables." The project was developed by Working Title Films, a British production company founded in 1983, in collaboration with Amblin Entertainment, an American company founded by Steven Spielberg in 1981, and the Really Useful Group, Andrew Lloyd Webber's production company established in 1977.

### Cast and Characters
The film featured an ensemble cast of renowned actors, musicians, and dancers portraying the Jellicle cats. Notable cast members included Judi Dench as Old Deuteronomy, Idris Elba as Macavity, Jennifer Hudson as Grizabella, Ian McKellen as Gus the Theatre Cat, Taylor Swift as Bombalurina, and James Corden as Bustopher Jones. The cast also included dancers and performers from various backgrounds, including ballet and contemporary dance.

### Technology and Visual Effects
One of the most notable aspects of the film was its use of "digital fur technology," which aimed to create realistic cat-like appearances for the human actors. This technology involved extensive visual effects work to blend human features with feline characteristics, creating a unique aesthetic that became a major talking point for the film.

### Release and Reception
"Cats" was released on December 20, 2019, in the United States, with subsequent releases in the United Kingdom and other countries throughout December and January 2020. The film received mixed to negative reviews from critics, with particular attention paid to its visual effects and overall execution. Despite this, the film's cultural impact was significant, generating numerous memes and discussions about its unconventional approach to the source material.

### Musical Elements
The film retained the original music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, including the iconic song "Memory," performed by Jennifer Hudson. The musical numbers were choreographed by Andy Blankenbuehler, known for his work on Broadway productions including "Hamilton."

### Cultural Impact
While the film's critical reception was mixed, "Cats" generated significant cultural discussion and became a notable entry in the musical film genre. Its ambitious visual effects and star-studded cast ensured that it remained a topic of conversation long after its release, both for its artistic choices and its technological innovations in character design.

## References

1. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
2. Letterboxd
3. The Movie Database
4. Cats. Rotten Tomatoes
5. AlloCiné
6. Danish Film Database
7. [Filmdienst](https://www.filmdienst.de/film/details/593930/cats-2019)
8. [Source](http://nmhh.hu/dokumentum/198182/terjesztett_filmalkotasok_art_filmek_nyilvantartasa.xlsx)
9. BBC Things
10. [Source](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2684847617/?ref_=bo_hm_RECENT_WEEKEND_WIDGET_4)
11. [Source](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt5697572/?ref_=bo_rl_ti)
12. [Source](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/releasegroup/gr2490651141/)
13. [Source](https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/cats-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc00otg4mta)
14. [Source](http://www.kijkwijzer.nl/index.php?id=26&i=1510314)
15. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
16. [Source](https://www.eirin.jp/list/index.php?s_year=2019&s_month=12&e_year=2019&e_month=12&pageID=2)
17. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/152217)
18. [Source](http://portal.mj.gov.br/ClassificacaoIndicativa/jsps/DadosObraForm.do?select_action=&tbobra_codigo=75277)
19. Brazilian Advisory Rating System
20. [Source](https://sede.mcu.gob.es/webicaa/Ficheros/142719/34/142719/1/209.pdf)
21. [Source](http://cnc.abt.ro/registru/index.aspx?pageID=3&filmID=16276)
22. [Source](http://fpbquery.fpb.org.za/erms/film_details.aspx?ref=83635)
23. Bechdel Test Movie List
24. [Source](https://imdaonline.imda.gov.sg/classification/Search/Film/SearchDetail.aspx?sType=Feature&sRowID=AAAgZnAAAAAADmLAAA)
25. [Source](https://www.rcq.gouv.qc.ca/RCQ212AfficherFicheTech.asp?intNoFilm=418135)
26. [Source](http://www.ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/A3966D7500543EDB)
27. FilmVandaag.nl
28. [21 Cineplex](https://21cineplex.com/)