Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in The Hat
“Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat” is a triumph above all of production design. That’s partly because the production design is so good, partly because the movie is so disappointing. It’s another overwrought clunker like “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” all effects and stunts and CGI and prosthetics, with no room for lightness and joy. Poor Dr. Seuss, whose fragile wonderments have been crushed under a mountain of technology.
Mike Myers stars as The Cat, in the ritual sacrifice of a big star to a high concept. Like Jim Carrey as The Grinch, he’s imprisoned beneath layers of makeup. There is a reason that Myers and Carrey are stars, and that reason is not because they look like cats or grinches. Nor does it much help that The Cat sometimes lapses uncannily into the voice of Linda Richman, Myers’ classic “Saturday Night Live” character. The Cat is a nudge, a scold, a card, an instigator, a tease — oh, lots of things, but one of them isn’t lovable.
It’s been said you should never marry anyone you wouldn’t want to take a three-day bus trip with. I have another insight: Never make a movie about a character you can’t stand.
The movie follows the book, sort of, if you can imagine a cute balloon inflated into a zeppelin. The two kids, Conrad and Sally, are played by Spencer Breslin and Dakota Fanning ; he’s seemingly compelled to mess things up, she’s so compulsive that the To Do list on her Palm includes: “Make out tomorrow’s To Do list.”
Their mom, Joan ( Kelly Preston ), is a Realtor who works for the germophobic Mr. Humberfloob ( Sean Hayes ); everything depends on her house being spic-and-span for a big reception, and so of course the moment she entrusts the kids into the hands of Mrs. Kwan the baby-sitter ( Amy Hill ), who should show up but The Cat, and the house is eventually in ruins.
What happens then? Is Joan fired? Is the house perhaps magically repaired? I would be happy to tell you, but I had better not give away the ending; there may be unfortunate readers who have not read The Cat in the Hat, or had it read to them, or even had it summarized for them by a trusted adviser.
The movie consists of wall-to-wall action, sort of like “ The Fast and the Furious ” for the third-grade hyperactive set. The Cat’s catmobile sprouts three steering wheels, and The Cat leads them on a fantasy tour of the town in search of their runaway dog. The theory is that Mrs. Kwan, apparently a narcoleptic, will never notice their absence since she has fallen asleep immediately after arriving to baby-sit.
But Mrs. Kwan does turn up later, during their visit to an imaginary amusement park, where the dumpy old Chinese lady, still insensate, her body stiff as a board, functions admirably as a raft for the water slide. The cat and the kids mount her and down they go, with a closeup of water splashing over Mrs. Kwan’s prow, or brow. To use the unconscious Mrs. Kwan in this way is creepy and offensive. Now I’m not getting PC and decrying the movie for making fun of Chinese. I’m glad an Asian-American actress got the job. No, I think it’s making fun of old people in general, in a cruel way, and I don’t think it’s funny.
Other stuff is a little funnier, including the story of what is in the muffins Joan serves at her reception, and how it all got there. And of course the movie has the obligatory smart-aleck sidekick, a fish (voice by Sean Hayes) that adds approximately nothing. Similarly wasted is Alec Baldwin , as the marriage-minded neighbor Lawrence Quinn. He wants to marry Joan. The kids rightly suspect him of smarmy nefariousness, and wow, is this the same actor I saw starring on Broadway in “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”? Baldwin gave an interview recently talking about his fall from stardom and grace, but he is gifted and will make a comeback when the time is right (for advice, he could turn to Joan, played by Mrs. John Travolta ). Baldwin is electrifying as a hard-boiled but old-fashioned casino boss in the forthcoming “ The Cooler “; pity about this role.
What went wrong here? Well, the producer is Brian Grazer , who also produced “The Grinch,” and apparently learned little from it, although since it grossed north of $300 million, maybe he didn’t want to. Grazer is a nice guy and has produced some wonderful movies, often with Ron Howard ; this time, he’s working with first-timer Bo Welch , a famous and gifted production designer (“ Batman Returns ,” “ Edward Scissorhands ,” “ Beetlejuice ,” “Men in Black”). I should mention this movie’s production designer, Alex McDowell, as well as art directors Alec Hammon and Sean Haworth, Anne Kuljian’s sets, Rita Ryack’s costumes, and all the makeup artists. But this is where we came in.
Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism.
- Kelly Preston as Mom
- Amy Hill as Mrs. Kwan
- Mike Myers as The Cat
- Sean Hayes as Mr. Humberfloob
- Spencer Breslin as Conrad
- Alec Baldwin as Quinn
- Dakota Fanning as Sally
- David Mandel
- Jeff Schaffer
Directed by
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Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat Reviews
[It's] what wants to be an austere breakdown of suburbia, a Burger King 00s trash pop kidz flick, The Mike Meyers I Do What I Want Variety Hour, a self-aware slapstick of the endearing family film and an actual endearing family film.
Full Review | Jul 6, 2022
I went out of my body. Jesus Christ. What was this? I usually enjoy watching bad movies.
Full Review | Jan 20, 2021
They really thought this was going to work...they were so confident of a sequel, they made a video game for this!
This film was visually appealing yet devoid of any substance.
Full Review | Original Score: 2.0/4.0 | Sep 5, 2020
Part of the problem is the film confuses chaos with fun.
Full Review | Original Score: F | Apr 23, 2019
The Cat in the Hat is dog food.
Full Review | Dec 18, 2017
The book is a ten minute read. The movie's a 90 minute watch... The additions deflate the fantasies.
Full Review | Original Score: C+ | May 23, 2016
Full Review | Original Score: 1/4 | Jan 22, 2013
Full Review | Original Score: 0/5 | Jan 22, 2013
Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Jan 22, 2013
Full Review | Original Score: 0.5/5 | Jan 22, 2013
Too mature for the kids who are reading the book.
Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Dec 22, 2010
Should by no means be considered family fodder.
Full Review | Apr 29, 2009
Full Review | Original Score: 1/5 | Aug 7, 2008
Is Dr. Seuss rolling in his grave yet?
Full Review | Original Score: F | Feb 3, 2008
much of the film is padded out by the comic business of Mike Myers' cat, in a deeply flawed role falling somewhere between a stand-up dying on stage or an alcoholic clown harassing kids at a birthday party.
Full Review | Sep 10, 2007
Unless you are prone to laugh at endless urination, expectoration, regurgitation, defecation, flatulence, and belching, avoid this rip-off at all costs.
Full Review | Original Score: 0/4 | Apr 22, 2007
Full Review | Original Score: 1/5 | Apr 1, 2006
Burn the negatives.
Full Review | Original Score: 1/5 | Jan 10, 2006
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Dr. seuss's the cat in the hat.
- Common Sense Says
- Parents Say 2 Reviews
- Kids Say 3 Reviews
Common Sense Media Review
Classic Dr. Seuss story is mischievous fun for whole family.
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Dr. Seuss's The Cat in the Hat is a classic 1970s animated adaptation of the classic children's book. For decades, Theodor S. Geisel-aka-Dr. Seuss' six-foot-tall cat has delighted young children around the world with his silly songs, pals Thing One and Two, and general mischief…
Why Age 3+?
Nothing in the movie itself, but Dr. Seuss' books and characters are visible as
The Cat teaches the kids how to say his name in different languages, including "
Lots of mayhem/destruction during the cat's visit, but all is right in the end.
Any Positive Content?
The Cat in the Hat creates a great deal of chaos, but despite all of the mild do
Kids will learn how to say "cat in the hat" in French, Spanish, German, "Eskimo,
Even though he's portrayed as the uptight rules-follower, Mr. Krinklebein is the
Products & Purchases
Nothing in the movie itself, but Dr. Seuss' books and characters are visible as movies, TV specials, games, stuffed animals, etc.
The Cat teaches the kids how to say his name in different languages, including "Eskimo," which some consider to be a derogatory ethnic term.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.
Violence & Scariness
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.
Positive Messages
The Cat in the Hat creates a great deal of chaos, but despite all of the mild domestic destruction, he does finally listen to Mr. Krinklebein the Fish and cleans up the mess he, Things One and Two, and the kids created. Some critics don't believe the story would be written today, since it's about a stranger who swoops in to help latchkey kids have fun while their mom is away.
Educational Value
Kids will learn how to say "cat in the hat" in French, Spanish, German, "Eskimo," and Russian.
Positive Role Models
Even though he's portrayed as the uptight rules-follower, Mr. Krinklebein is the only being in Sally and her brother's house who wants to listen to their mother and makes sure the kids aren't in danger, disobeying, or destroying the house. The Cat in the Hat is a mischievous force in the kids' lives, but he's ultimately a harmless catalyst for fun.
Parents need to know that Dr. Seuss's The Cat in the Hat is a classic 1970s animated adaptation of the classic children's book . For decades, Theodor S. Geisel-aka- Dr . Seuss' six-foot-tall cat has delighted young children around the world with his silly songs, pals Thing One and Two, and general mischief making. There's nothing objectionable about the feature, although some parents and teachers might be put off by the idea of a stranger coming to the kids' house when parents are away. The Cat in the Hat is one of the most recognizable characters in children's literature, and this is the signature screen adaptation of his story. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .
Where to Watch
Videos and photos.
Parent and Kid Reviews
- Parents say (2)
- Kids say (3)
Based on 2 parent reviews
I didn’t delete all of my reviews
What's the story.
Based on Dr. Seuss' 1957 children's book , DR. SEUSS'S THE CAT IN THE HAT follows a young sister and brother who are home alone and bored to no end until in swoops a six-foot cat wearing a red-and-white stovepipe hat and a red bowtie. The Cat (voiced by Allan Sherman ) immediately alarms the kids' pet fish, Mr. Krinklebein ( Daws Butler ), who insists the Cat immediately leave. But the Cat in the Hat returns, claiming the fish stole his moss-covered, three- handled family gradunza and enlisting the kids in a chaotic search for the family keepsake that nearly destroys the house. The chaos intensifies as the Cat invites Thing One and Thing Two along as well.
Is It Any Good?
This short-and-sweet adaptation of Theodor Geisel's iconic tale will prove nostalgic for many parents while still amusing the newest generation of Seuss devotees. There's something truly timeless about the Cat in the Hat and his mischievous antics, even if the animation and the musical numbers are a bit dated (the special first aired on CBS in 1971).
The songs are all catchy (there's even a sing-along version of the movie in the bonus features), but by far the most memorable is the titular "Cat in the Hat" song in which the Cat details how to say his name in various languages, from French to "Eskimo." Kids will likely keep singing " chat chapeau and gato sombrero " after the musical number is finished. At only 25 minutes, this feature is a fine way to entertain even the youngest Seuss fan.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why Dr. Seuss' stories are so timeless. What is it about The Cat in the Hat that speaks to even the youngest readers and viewers? What is your favorite Dr. Seuss-based movie or show?
Do you think the Cat in the Hat is a role model ? If not, why do you think he's still so popular?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : August 7, 2012
- Cast : Allan Sherman , Daws Butler
- Director : Hawley Pratt
- Studio : Warner Home Video
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Book Characters , Brothers and Sisters , Cats, Dogs, and Mice
- Run time : 25 minutes
- MPAA rating : NR
- Last updated : October 7, 2023
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
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What to watch next.
Dr. Seuss's Green Eggs and Ham and Other Stories
Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Dr. Seuss: The Lorax
Dr. seuss apps, related topics.
- Book Characters
- Brothers and Sisters
- Cats, Dogs, and Mice
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FILM REVIEW
FILM REVIEW; My, a Cat Can Be Mean On a Very Big Screen
By A. O. Scott
- Nov. 21, 2003
In 1957 Dr. Seuss published ''The Cat in the Hat,'' a whimsical story of feline misrule written in infectious four-beat anapestic lines, that forever changed the way American children learn to read. The book's rambunctious main character and its giddy, slightly disconcerting treatment of mischief in the absence of maternal supervision have proven remarkably durable as generations of children have grown to adulthood with its antic rhymes firmly lodged in their heads.
And now Hollywood, perhaps inevitably, has gone and messed it up. Under the supervision of Brian Grazer, who was responsible for the monstrous ''Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas'' three years ago, and with the permission of Audrey Geisel, the author's widow and the custodian of his posthumous reputation, the first-time director Bo Welch has put together a vulgar, uninspired lump of poisoned eye candy that Universal has the temerity to call ''Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat.'' It is nothing of the kind, despite voice-over narration that occasionally tries to imitate the cadences of Seussian verse and sets that sporadically evoke Seuss's antic draftsmanship.
''It is fun to have fun,'' the Cat famously warned, ''but you have to know how.'' This movie, which opens today nationwide, is a remarkably thorough demonstration of how not to. The Cat is impersonated by Mike Myers, in heavy white makeup and scruffy black fur, speaking in a voice somewhere between Bert Lahr doing the Cowardly Lion and a third-rate Borscht Belt comedian telling toilet jokes. Some of those are thrown in as an apparent concession to the comedic tastes of today's youth, along with some nasty ethnic insult humor and an egregious exercise in family therapy slapped on to make the whole sorry, cynical mess seem wholesome and uplifting.
Now, I don't want to sound like the scolding fish, who is on hand here, in a much-diminished, computer-animated capacity, to warn about the consequences of bad behavior. Flatulence and scatology have their place in the comic repertory, as, I suppose, do jokes about hairballs and castration. Any sort of joke can be justified, provided it's funny, but there is scarcely a moment of genuine laughter in the mercifully brief 78 minutes of this ''Cat.''
The problem is that Mr. Myers, Mr. Welch and a squad of frantic screenwriters throw in disparate elements out of sheer laziness, concocting a grueling, chaotic stew of forced whimsy that utterly lacks imaginative integrity or visual spark. David Newman's score is clever and playful, but it is so catastrophically at odds with what is on the screen that it only makes matters worse, like a noisemaker wielded by a drunken birthday-party clown desperate to prevent his cranky audience from showing signs of boredom.
The plot is needlessly elaborate. The mother -- represented in the book by a slim, mysterious ankle -- is a real estate agent named Joan Walden (Kelly Preston) who leaves her children, Conrad and Sally, in the care of a drowsy, overweight baby sitter named Mrs. Kwan (Amy Hill). Joan, a single mother, has a suitor, a cretinous next-door neighbor named Quinn (Alec Baldwin), who is trying to persuade her to send Conrad to military school.
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Metacritic reviews
The cat in the hat.
- 50 ReelViews James Berardinelli ReelViews James Berardinelli It's moderately engaging for the first half-hour, somewhat trying during the second half hour, and virtually unbearable over the final twenty minutes. It's a marginally recommendable film for kids, but not necessarily for parents.
- 40 L.A. Weekly Ella Taylor L.A. Weekly Ella Taylor Myers is the movie's fatal flaw, squeezing out the other characters who fatten the plot, mostly with an eye to parents.
- 38 Chicago Tribune Mark Caro Chicago Tribune Mark Caro Although a literal movie adaptation of Seuss' 1957 classic "The Cat in the Hat" might have run 20 minutes, is it too much to ask that the filmed material preserve the author's sensibility?
- 25 Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman Someone (Myers?) came up with the bright idea of turning the Cat in the Hat into the worst Vegas nightclub spritzer of 1958. He's become a furry version of Rip Taylor: a walking, talking vaudeville idiot box.
- 25 Christian Science Monitor Christian Science Monitor It's a sort of soullessly cheerful cynicism that is about as far from Seuss as one can imagine.
- 25 Rolling Stone Peter Travers Rolling Stone Peter Travers Talk about your quick-buck exploitation.
- 25 Charlotte Observer Lawrence Toppman Charlotte Observer Lawrence Toppman As a British politician said of a corrupt but articulate peer, "The Cat in the Hat" is like a rotten mackerel seen by moonlight: It shines as it stinks.
- 25 Miami Herald Connie Ogle Miami Herald Connie Ogle Charmless and grating and immediately forgettable.
- 10 Dallas Observer Gregory Weinkauf Dallas Observer Gregory Weinkauf Such a remarkable rift between its charming source material and its heinous cinematic realization that the producers may as well have skipped the hassle of securing licensing rights and simply called this mess Mike Myers: A--hole in Fur.
- 0 Village Voice Michael Atkinson Village Voice Michael Atkinson Comes scarily close to being the most unendurable Hollywood creation of the last dozen years.
- See all 37 reviews on Metacritic.com
- See all external reviews for The Cat in the Hat
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Substance & Meaningful Entertainment
Against gossip & scandal, independent media network, global stories from local perspective, factual culture news, whimsy and chaos: a review of ‘dr. seuss’ ‘the cat in the hat’.
Kaili Spooner’s passion lies in sports journalism and Black TV/Film, and her writing strongly aligns with The Hollywood Insider’s values of delivering factual and in-depth coverage. While her future career goal is to be a sports journalist and do social media work for the NBA/WNBA, for now, she balances her academic pursuits with being a collegiate volleyball player at SSU and unwinding with her favorite comedy and drama sitcoms at home.
Aug 10, 2024
When the live-action adaptation of ‘ The Cat in the Hat ’ premiered in November 2003, it primarily targeted late Millennials and early Gen Z viewers. As a young audience, they were mostly oblivious to the film’s many adult jokes. Instead, they delighted in the memorable musical numbers, the vibrant color palette of every scene, and the playful comedy. Now, 21 years later, that same audience has grown up and often remembers the movie as either a comical fever dream or a childhood nightmare.
From the many reviews I’ve read about this movie, it’s clear that it didn’t live up to many people’s expectations upon release. Movie critics hoped for something that truly depicted the book—something more wholesome, rather than an oversized cat making adult jokes every few minutes. One critic remarked , “The Cat in the Hat comes scarily close to being the most unendurable Hollywood creation of the last dozen years.” The film was widely disliked by critics, viewers, and fans of the book, and it was also considered a box-office letdown. Due to the negative reception, Dr. Seuss’ widow, Audrey Geisel, banned all future live-action adaptations of her late husband’s work, expressing her own disinterest in the film. Consequently, ‘The Cat in the Hat Comes Back’ sequel was never made. All subsequent adaptations, such as ‘The Grinch’ (2018), have been produced using computer animation.
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Let’s be honest: the film’s criticism mainly came from adults who probably weren’t the intended audience for a children’s movie. Many children’s TV shows and films include innocent adult jokes to keep parents entertained while watching with their kids. In that sense, this movie is no different. This review is for the mixed generation who grew up with this quirky film and found something to enjoy or love about it. Dr. Seuss’ ‘The Cat in the Hat’ became available to watch on Netflix on August 1, 2024, and is also available to stream on Netflix Basic with Ads.
The beloved Mike Myers stars as The Cat, hidden beneath layers of makeup and fur. The Cat is a jokester, an instigator, and chaotic— to say the least—but ultimately, he just wants to teach two siblings how to have fun. The kids, Conrad ( Spencer Breslin ) and Sally ( Dakota Fanning ), have very different personalities. Conrad, the troublemaker, never listens to his mom and is guaranteed to cause trouble. Sally, on the other hand, is an extreme rule follower who even writes a daily To-Do list, complete with a note to “Make out tomorrow’s To-Do list.” Their single mother, Joan Walden ( Kelly Preston ), dressed in pretty pink from head to toe, is a realtor working for the intense germaphobe Mr. Humberfloob ( Sean Hayes ). Warning: do not shake his hands!
Mr. Humberfloob warns Joan that if her house isn’t up to his tidy standards, she’ll be fired—or as he likes to scream it, “You’re firedddd!”—really putting an emphasis on the “d” at the end. Joan comes home to find Conrad doing a dangerous stunt down the stairs, which ends with their dog, Nevins, running out. Lawrence (Larry) Quinn ( Alec Baldwin ), Joan’s next-door neighbor and boyfriend, returns the dog, much to the delight of Joan and Sally. However, Larry and Conrad have a combative relationship, as Larry wants Joan to send Conrad to military school to discipline him—an idea Joan isn’t too keen on.
WATCH THE TRAILER of the Film and the Revolution: ‘Can I Go Home Now?’
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Joan is called back to the office by her boss, so she arranges for a last-minute babysitter, Mrs. Kwan ( Amy Hill ), who has a tendency to fall asleep at any given moment. As Joan leaves, she and Conrad argue about his behavior and the possibility of military school, ending with Conrad wishing he had a different mother. Joan, saddened by this, sees Larry as she heads out the door. Larry, supposedly on his way to a sales conference, is actually lying and sneaks back into his house once she drives off. He’s honestly just a slob who picks his belly button and is on the verge of losing his house.
Back inside, the kids hear a noise coming from the upstairs closet. Hesitantly, they go to investigate. Conrad , true to his mischievous nature, pulls a prank on Sally by pretending to find something scary. With suspense building, he jumps out and throws a black stuffed animal at Sally, teasing her with, “You should have seen the look on your face. It’s like you saw a monster—”. Just then, they turn around to see an oversized cat standing behind them. The Cat, joining the conversation, says, “A monster ? Where?” The kids scream and run into hiding. And with that, the chaos truly begins…!
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Many elements come together to create the whimsical masterpiece that is ‘The Cat in the Hat.’ The Cat, impulsive and energetic, provides endless entertainment for the bored siblings. Once they get past the borderline home invasion by a talking cat, whose only crime is ignoring their mom’s sole rule—don’t step foot in the precisely tidy living room—they indulge in loads of fun and musical numbers performed by The Cat. With costume changes and lively songs, The Cat sets up a big red crate in the living room, introducing the kids to Thing 1 and Thing 2 , mischievous creatures with blue wigs and red outfits. The Things, though friendly, create all kinds of havoc, communicating mostly in sounds and doing the opposite of what they’re told.
A problem arises when The Cat instructs the kids not to touch the crate, secured with a crab-shaped lock. He explains that it’s the “Trans-dimensional Transportolator,” a portal to The Cat’s world, and warns Conrad, “No opening the crate. No lookee, no touchee.” True to the proverb “Curiosity killed the cat” (pun intended—don’t worry, The Cat survives), Conrad removes the lock and it, somehow alive, jumps around their dog Nevins’ collar. Chaos sparks as the Things create a mess, house decor starts hitting the floor, and they run around with the dog. When Sally , unaware that the Things do the opposite of what they’re told, shouts, “Put the dog down!” Thing 1 promptly throws the innocent dog out the window, and he runs away. And Mrs. Kwan just sleeps through it all.
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I won’t give away too much of the plot, but after the initial situation, the kids, The Cat, and a talking fish embark on an adventure to retrieve Nevins and close the crate. ‘ The Cat in the Hat ’ is full of craziness that will make you laugh and constantly wonder, “What am I watching right now?” But that’s the joy of the film! Much like the book, the plot isn’t meant to be taken too seriously. Embrace it and enjoy the film for its humor, wild adventures, and creative yet unrealistic moments.
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Yes, there are a few adult jokes here and there, and perhaps certain audiences are biased because they innocently enjoyed it at a young age. However, it’s a film you learn to appreciate for being so delightfully chaotic . Instead of turning your nose up and dismissing it as “charmless, pointless, and all but witless,” as one critic harshly put it, embrace its quirky charm. ‘The Cat in the Hat’ may not be a traditional adaptation, but its comicality and whimsical nature make it an entertaining ride for those willing to use their suspension of disbelief and enjoy the madness .
In the end, the kids have the time of their lives and learn valuable lessons about teamwork, having fun responsibly, and developing a newfound respect for their mother. While the film may not be for everyone, approaching it with an open mind allows you to fully appreciate its whimsical disorder and unique charm. It’s chaotic, just like The Cat, but worth experiencing for yourself!
Cast: Mike Myers, Dakota Fanning, Spencer Breslin, Kelly Preston, Alec Baldwin, Sean Hayes, Amy Hill | Director: Bo Welch | Producer: Brian Grazer | Screenplay: Alec Berg, David Mandel, Jeff Schaffer | Music: David Newman | Based on: The Cat in the Hat Dr. Suess
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DR. SEUSS’ THE CAT IN THE HAT
| None | Light | Moderate | Heavy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Language | ||||
| Violence | ||||
| Sex | ||||
| Nudity |
(Pa, B, AB, Ho, PC, L, S, N, V, A, M) Mixed pagan worldview with some moral elements such as a rebuke of lawlessness and a rebuke of lying by one character, yet another character’s lying is not rebuked, and children learn the importance of playing responsibly and cleaning up after themselves, with some slight homosexual allusions, such as protagonist prissing around like a gay decorator, and movie makes fun of politically correct protestor who tells people that dogs are “Canine Americans”; mild language issues with the beginnings of about five obscenities; light, comedic violence such as cat hitting child with tail, cat cutting off his tail, bad guy slimed with purple ooze, babysitter used as a skateboard down some stairs, large human-size cat hit in groin with bat, etc.; a few sexual innuendoes, including cat lusts after pretty women and children’s mother; upper male nudity, reference to rear-end exposure of blue collar handymen, and female cleavage; alcohol use; no smoking; and, miscellaneous immorality such as lying and meanness by adults, some rebuked and some not, and babysitter falls asleep and covers it up with lies.
GENRE: Fantasy/Comedy
More Detail:
In THE CAT IN THE HAT, Conrad and Sally Walden (Spencer Breslin and Dakota Fanning) are home alone with their pet fish. It is raining outside, and there is nothing to do. . . until The Cat in the Hat (Mike Myers) walks in the front door, or, rather, descends mysteriously from the ceiling. He discerns that Sally is controlling – and no fun at all, and Conrad is a rule-breaker, which could really get him in trouble in life. The cat’s job, though he doesn’t tell the children, is to lead them into the world of imagination, and through the harrowing obstacles thrown in by his magical hat, Thing One, Thing Two, and their big red box – actually a door to the world of make-believe, the children will learn teamwork, fairness, and great life lessons. At first it’s all frenzy and games, until things get out of hand, and The Cat must go, go, go, before their mom gets back!
THE CAT IN THE HAT has incredible art direction, reminiscent of such movies as HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS and STUART LITTLE – with over-the-top, campy, bright colors, fun, wild, color-coordinated clothing and sets, and even the gnarly trees and gadgets seen in the old Seuss books. (Seuss, by the way, is pronounced “Soice,” like “rejoice,” and his real name is Theodor Geisel. . . You might need to know these things if you’re ever a game show contestant. If you win big money, please send a large portion of your winnings to MOVIEGUIDE®.)
The movie feels amazingly like the book, though the book was very short, and the movie is a feature-length 82 minutes long. The screenplay adds a grouchy next-door-neighbor man, played by an overweight Alec Baldwin, as well as a lame babysitter, Mrs. Quan, who gets hung in the closet and then later used as a toboggan (it’s complicated). There are car chases downtown (didn’t even know the Cat had a car!), wild rides through imagination-land, or the Cat’s real world, and a look into the mom’s (Kelly Preston’s) whole world of selling real estate under a persnickety, intimidating neat freak boss.
Overall the movie is more fast-paced than fun. The story structure is terrible, however, as the cat never undergoes a transformation – a major faux paux in the world of screenwriting rules. In fact, the director too often shoots the Cat as if he’s a second rate, borscht belt, stand-up comic rather than a character in a story. This undermines the dramatic flow of the relationships and conflicts in the story, especially since many of the Cat’s jokes are not at all funny and a few are unnecessarily lewd. The children transform, however, which is satisfying, though a couple important elements (like Sally’s sadness at being left out of a birthday party) are never resolved.
The other major problem in THE CAT IN THE HAT is a notable handful of questionable humor elements. At one point, the Cat stumbles upon a muddy garden tool, which he addresses as “a dirty ho,” then quickly adds, “I’m sorry, baby; you know I love you!” Other issues include some gay-looking prissing around that the Cat does, including decorating comments about the curtains. There are also some beginnings of obscenities started, only to be finished by other, more acceptable words. Things like, “Oh, no, I’ll fall on my ahhhhhh – we’re falling!”
There are also numerous moments of body humor, such as when the cat is fishing around in the living room, suddenly dressed like a repairman, donning a plastic rear end with an obvious repairman’s crack showing. The Alec Baldwin character is gross. He pulls off a stomach girdle at one point to reveal a nasty, rotund, bulging, hairy stomach, and he picks his nose and naval without hesitation. The babysitter is rather gross, too, with her obesity, heavy makeup, and her encouragement of the children to watch TV without telling their mother. As for worldview elements, there’s a scene where the Cat pretends to be an animal rights activist, and he tells the Alec Baldwin character that dogs should be called Canine Americans, making fun of political correctness.
The final issue, and perhaps it’s a personal one, is the fact that during most of the movie, the house is a disastrous mess. I remember feeling nervous about the mess upon mess upon mess in the children’s book, and the director skillfully but irritatingly brings that same feeling into the movie. Get it cleaned up, and get that Cat out of there!
In general, despite its potty humor and adult humor in some areas (which will go over children’s heads for the most part but offend a significant number of parents), younger children may enjoy THE CAT IN THE HAT more than some of its competition, including the frantic LOONEY TOONS, the pagan BROTHER BEAR, and the occult-looking HAUNTED MANSION. Concerned parents and Seuss purists may want to find some better ways for their children to spend their leisure time, however.
Please address your comments to:
Stacey Snider, Chairman
Universal Pictures
Ron Meyer, President/COO
Universal Studios
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608-1085
Phone: (818) 777-1000
Web Page: www.universalstudios.com
SUMMARY: DR. SEUSS’ THE CAT IN THE HAT, starring Mike Meyers, is an adaptation of Dr. Seuss’s beloved children’s book about two bored children and an exuberant, very messy cat. With award-worthy art direction and some frenetic scenes, the movie is questionable for some audiences due to its poor storyline, dull jokes, body humor, and double entendres.
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Movie Review: 'The Cat in the Hat'
David Edelstein
Film critic David Edelstein reviews The Cat in the Hat , starring Mike Myers and Alec Baldwin.
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The cat in the hat.
Directed by Bo Welch
Don't mess with the hat.
During a rainy day, and while their mother is out, Conrad and Sally, and their pet fish, are visited by the mischievous Cat in the Hat. Fun soon turns to mayhem, and the siblings must figure out how to rid themselves of the maniacal Cat.
Mike Myers Dakota Fanning Spencer Breslin Kelly Preston Alec Baldwin Amy Hill Sean Hayes Danielle C. Ryan Taylor Rice Brittany Oaks Talia-Lynn Prairie Dan Castellaneta Victor Brandt Daran Norris Frank Welker Clint Howard Paige Hurd Steven Anthony Lawrence Paris Hilton Candace Brown Stephen Hibbert Roger W. Morrissey Norman Fessler Bugsy Danny Nero
Director Director
Producers producers.
Brian Grazer Aldric La'Auli Porter Arlene Kehela
Writers Writers
David Mandel Jeff Schaffer Alec Berg
Original Writer Original Writer
Editor editor.
Don Zimmerman
Cinematography Cinematography
Emmanuel Lubezki
Additional Directing Add. Directing
Executive producers exec. producers.
Karen Kehela Sherwood Maureen Peyrot Gregg Taylor Eric McLeod
Additional Photography Add. Photography
Tyler Allison
Production Design Production Design
Alex McDowell
Art Direction Art Direction
François Audouy Sean Haworth Maya Shimoguchi Alec Hammond
Set Decoration Set Decoration
Easton Michael Smith Karen E. Burnett Bart Barbuscia J. André Chaintreuil Anne Kuljian Luke Freeborn Richard Reynolds Victor James Martinez Clovis Chamberet Sam Page Hugo Santiago Louis Terry
Visual Effects Visual Effects
Lisa Clarity Ryan Lastimosa Patrick Phillips Andre Bustanoby Philippe Leprince David Sanger Michael Kowalski Anders Ericson Allan Magled Richard Malzahn Wensen Ho Rodney Montague Rebecca Ramsey Erika Wangberg Burton Ian Hunter Mark Freund
Stunts Stunts
Kenny Endoso Darrin Prescott Kacie Borrowman Nancy Thurston Andy Gill Jack Gill
Composer Composer
David Newman
Sound Sound
John T. Cucci James Ashwill Dan O'Connell Erich Gann Beau Hilkene Ai-Ling Lee Randall Guth Michael Hilkene Lance Brown Steve Maslow Charles Maynes Bernard Weiser Brian Basham Ken J. Johnson David Grimaldi Bruce Tanis Richard Dwan Jr.
Costume Design Costume Design
Makeup makeup.
Gary Archer Melanie Hughes Amy L. Disarro
Universal Pictures DreamWorks Pictures Imagine Entertainment Brian Grazer Productions
Releases by Date
08 nov 2003, 05 mar 2004, theatrical limited, 06 jun 2004, 21 nov 2003, 05 dec 2003, 31 dec 2003, 04 jan 2004, 09 jan 2004, 29 jan 2004, 12 mar 2004, 19 mar 2004, 26 mar 2004, 31 mar 2004, 01 apr 2004, 02 apr 2004, 07 apr 2004, 08 apr 2004, 09 apr 2004, 23 apr 2004, 29 apr 2004, 18 jun 2004, 28 aug 2018, 26 oct 2004, 22 dec 2004, 23 sep 2021, releases by country.
- Theatrical ATP
- Theatrical PG
- Theatrical L
- Theatrical limited Shanghai International Film Festival
- Theatrical A
- Physical Blu-Ray release
- Theatrical TP
- Physical DVD
- Digital VOD
- Theatrical 6
- Theatrical KN
- Theatrical T
- Physical DVD premiere
Netherlands
- Theatrical AL
New Zealand
- Theatrical 12
- Theatrical 12+
South Korea
- Theatrical ALL
- Theatrical Btl
Switzerland
81 mins More at IMDb TMDb Report this page
Popular reviews
Review by E.M. Lees ★★★★★ 110
Bo Welch's magnum opus, Le Chat au Chapeau (2003) also known as "The Cat in the Hat", is one of the most daring and experimental films Hollywood has crafted in the 2000's. Never have I seen a film attack childhood trauma this strongly as well as be a self-deconstructive satire on the Hollywood industry and bastardization of children's media. No one except Bo Welch, who had worked on the production design for films such as Ghostbusters II and Edward Scissorhands, could bring Seuss's artistic vision to life. It's his only film because how could anyone top this? A wise career choice to start with a bang and not try to one up it, as that is simply impossible in this…
Review by Ave ★★★ 7
Best experimental horror films:
1. Eraserhead (1977) 2. The Cat in the Hat (2003)
Review by milo 5
this movie makes me feel like i'm awake during surgery
Review by #1 gizmo fan ★★★ 12
I'm sitting in my room. My mom walks in and stares at me, stares at my computer screen, and then walks out of the room. She screams, "You made me watch that fucking movie at least 1,000 times when you were a kid." I apologize. Emmanuel Lubezki's name comes on screen. I start to cry. I'm tired.
Review by avery 9
sally - ocd conrad - adhd the cat in the hat - schizophrenia thing 1 & thing 2 - bipolar jean - milf mrs kwan - depression larry - alec baldwinism fish - ocd, anxiety, depression, ptsd, homosexuality
Review by Jay ★ 3
how does wes anderson sleep at night knowing his best movie was the cat in the hat directed by bo welch
Review by Josh Lewis 15
Didn't actually watch this, just wanted to remind everyone that this was shot by three-time Oscar winner Emmanuel Lubezki.
Review by Bailey Parkinson ★★★★★ 6
The greatest movie ever made.
Review by Keegan ✌🏻 ★★★★ 1
ride the kwan
Review by maria ★ 19
there is a scene very early on where a man, very publicly and very loudly, fires his employee for shaking his hand with naked hands and then proceeds to clean his hands with the hand sanitizer he keeps hanging on his belt like a gun holster in a 1960s western flick. steven soderbergh, retire bitch
Review by bri 🌧 ★★★★★ 6
this is a horror movie and that’s non-negotiable
Review by Dakota Joaquin 10
I refuse to give this a rating, because this is not a real film. This is a wild acid trip nightmare riddled with outstanding practical effects, immersive world building/characterization, and a comedic performance teetering on the edge of both brilliance and horror.
It’s everything it needs to be for all the wrong reasons.
I suppose similar to how water can exist in multiple states of being, this is both a 5/5 and a 0/5.
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- DVD & Streaming
Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat
- Animation , Comedy , Kids , Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Content Caution
In Theaters
- Mike Myers as the Cat; Spencer Breslin as Conrad; Dakota Fanning as Sally; Alec Baldwin as Quinn; Kelly Preston as Mom; Amy Hill as Mrs. Kwan; Sean Hayes as the Fish and Mr. Humberfloob; Victor Brandt as the Narrator
Home Release Date
Distributor.
- Universal Pictures
Movie Review
Conrad is a rambunctious 12-year-old boy who tends to make huge messes in the process of entertaining himself. By contrast, his younger sister, Sally, isn’t at all spontaneous or fun-loving. She’s controlling, obsessively organized and so annoyingly obsequious that she has alienated most of her peers. Meanwhile, the sibs’ single mom tries to juggle parenting, a real estate career and a romance with Lawrence Quinn, the scheming louse who lives next door.
One day, Conrad and Sally are left in the “care” of a rotund, bespectacled babysitter named Mrs. Kwan, who can’t seem to stay awake long enough to complete a sentence. That’s when they’re visited by a six-foot feline with a penchant for mischief. He calls himself the Cat in the Hat. With the help of impish whirlwinds Thing 1 and Thing 2, the Cat proceeds to make jokes and turn a spotless house into a disaster area. Can the kids get their home back in order before the guests arrive for their mother’s important business party?
Anyone who has read the classic children’s book by Theodor Geisel (aka Dr. Seuss) knows that everything is back in place when Mom sets foot in the door. Even so, this film adaptation by the producers of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas has a number of off-color surprises. Families with young children might find themselves echoing a character from the book who said, “I do not like the way that they play. If mother could see this, oh what would she say!”
Positive Elements
The family’s pet fish provides a moral conscience, though it’s debatable whether the movie buys into it. For example, he calls the Cat’s wild tricks “MTV-style flash at the expense of content and moral values.” That’s a pointed, accurate assessment of MTV, but the kids side with the Cat, implying that substance and morality can’t trump something that’s a lot of fun. Still, the Fish makes a good point.
Lines emphasize the need for parents to be able to trust their children. A rough mother/son relationship early on eventually leads to Mom saying of Conrad, “He’s a good kid and I believe in him.” Sibling rivalry also ends well. Rather than trying to implicate one another after the house has been wrecked, Conrad tells Sally to take cover while he explains his irresponsibility to their mother (“This is my fault. I’ll take the blame”). Sally replies, “This is just as much my fault as yours. I’ll share the blame.” Conrad calls himself an idiot for his habitual disobedience and ponders, “Why do I always do the opposite of what I’m supposed to do?” (families that do go can apply Ephesians 6:1-3 and Romans 6:14-25). We’re also reminded that it’s important for a person to learn from his mistakes.
Spiritual Elements
A blink-and-you-miss-it moment finds the Cat in a lotus position chanting a single “ohm.”
Sexual & romantic Content
When the kids ask the Cat, “Where did you come from,” the sarcastic animal begins to explain the mating process and is interrupted just short of describing intercourse. He picks up a photo of the children’s mom which rolls out like a centerfold, eliciting a lusty purr as his hat and tail go erect. He addresses a garden hoe like a promiscuous girlfriend, calling it a “dirty ho” before softening and assuring it of his love. In a Seussian nightclub, the Cat ogles a shapely blonde in a provocative outfit (a cameo by bad-girl hotel heiress Paris Hilton). There’s partial nudity when, playing up the stereotype of repairmen who can’t keep their pants all the way up, the Cat leans over and reveals the upper third of a bare bottom.
Violent Content
The Cat cuts off his own tail with a meat cleaver. Quinn plummets from a great height and lands in a sea of purple ooze. The Cat gets treated like a piñata by children at a birthday party who whale on him with bats. One rather large boy wallops him in the groin. Other physical gags involve children getting batted about by the Cat’s tail, a snoozing Mrs. Kwan being ridden down stairs like a toboggan, the Cat punching an unseen elephant, and a fracas among politicians on TV.
Crude or Profane Language
One of the script writers, Alec Berg, says of his star, “What Mike enjoys more than anything else is, ‘This is dirty, but I’m not going to say the word.’ It’s the clean insinuation of dirty things.” Nowhere is that more apparent in Cat in the Hat than with language. There are no actual (American) profanities, but Myers and Co. come close a few times. Quinn calls Conrad a “snot-nosed son-of-a- [Conrad’s mother walks in] wonderful woman.” After realizing he has caused bodily harm to himself, the Cat yells, “son of a …” and gets bleeped by imaginary censors before finishing. He does use the British profanity “bloody,” and exclaims “dirty ho!” when he sees a mud-encrusted gardening tool. Without saying it, the Cat alludes to an acronym that spells out the s-word.
Drug and Alcohol Content
The Cat tells Sally to quit smoking so many cigars, and Conrad to stay “off the sauce.” Quinn hijacks a six-pack of Miller Lite from their mother’s fridge.
Other noteworthy Elements
There are visual and verbal references to urination. A dog wets on a fire hydrant and later befouls a man’s lunch. When the cautious goldfish warns the children not to join in the Cat’s irresponsible games, the Cat says, “You gonna listen to him? He drinks where he pees!” There’s belching by Quinn and the Cat, as well as a mention of flatulence. The Cat’s hair balls become slimy flying objects. The Cat relies on a barf bag twice. The audience was audibly grossed out when Quinn took off his girdle and revealed a flabby, hairy gut. He’s also shown picking his nose. Conrad lies to his mother in an attempt to get his sister in trouble. Although Quinn is selfish, deceitful and antagonistic, Conrad’s blatant disrespect toward this adult could send the wrong message to children.
The Cat in the Hat is a good- looking film. It should be since it was helmed by acclaimed production designer Bo Welch (Edward Scissorhands, Men in Black II, Batman Returns, Beetlejuice) . Welch does an excellent job of recreating the cheery pastel universe and Salvador Dali-esque accessories of Dr. Seuss. Even the opening credits are a clever homage to the source material. Unfortunately, that’s as interesting as it gets. The plot draws from the popular books The Cat in the Hat and The Cat in the Hat Comes Back, but even then it’s a pretty thin story for anyone over 10. Spotless home gets trashed. Cat cleans up. Family ends up better off than it started. That would be fine if the jokes were restrained enough for the grade-schoolers Seuss had in mind—not dumbed down, mind you (there are some funny, sophisticated jabs at cultural targets), just not so risqué.
“It’s sweet, but it also has a lot of edge,” says Welch, who couldn’t believe his film managed to avoid a PG-13 on its first trip past the ratings board. “I really thought we’d have to trim a couple of scenes,” he told the L.A. Times . As for the “dirty ho” remark, he and others behind the scenes wanted to pull it, but Myers insisted it should stay. “I had a bet that the joke wouldn’t last, but it did,” Welch said. Don’t blame Myers, though, for the PG rating. Responsibility for that lands at the feet of the Mrs. Kwan-like Motion Picture Association of America, which fell asleep on the job.
Ultimately, this movie is about letting Mike Myers riff like a madman. Sometimes it’s clever, but I felt like I was watching a sketch comic hiding behind feline makeup while trying to impersonate the Genie from Aladdin . Without a compelling story to back up his antics, that act gets old quickly. Furthermore, barely veiled profanities and subtle humor involving sex, porn, urination and vomiting will unnerve parents wondering what rule Myers will break next in his tireless pursuit of “fun.”
Bob Smithouser
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What's Reddit's thoughts on The Cat in the Hat (2003)?
Very curious, what do you think of the 2003 The Cat in the Hat?
I remember this as a staple childhood classic and I still love it now, even if extremely absurd at points. Most adult jokes flew over my head anyway. I don't know why but I suddenly remembered it's existence the other day only to google and see the terrible ratings :')
4/10 IMDb, 10% critic & 53% audience (not bad) and 19% metacritic
I know these aren't always most reliable but I also never hear anyone mention it, do many people actually know it? Is it forgettable, I digress, What are your thoughts?
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The Cat in the Hat (2003)
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Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat
By Scott Chitwood
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Cast: Mike Myers as The Cat Alec Baldwin as Quinn Kelly Preston as Mom Dakota Fanning as Sally Spencer Breslin as Conrad Amy Hill as Mrs. Kwan Sean Hayes as Mr. Humberfloob/Voice of the Fish Danielle Chuchran as Thing One Taylor Rice as Thing One Brittany Oakes as Thing Two Talia-Lynn Prairie as Thing Two Dan Castellaneta as Thing One/Thing Two (voice) Victor Brandt as Narrator (voice) Daran Norris as Announcer Bugsy as Nevins Frank Welker as Nevins (voice) Clint Howard as Kate the Caterer Paige Hurd as Denise Steven Anthony Lawrence as Dumb Schweitzer Paris Hilton as Female Club-Goer Candace Dean Brown as Secretary Stephen Hibbert as Jim McFinnigan Roger Morrisey as Mr. Vompatatat
Summary: The Cat in the Hat is a fun film, but many of the funniest scenes are in the trailers. Adult humor also may make some parents cringe if the kiddies are present.
Story: This film is based on the classic childrens book by Dr. Seuss.
While their single mother works all day, Sally and Conrad stay at home with a babysitter. Conrad spends the day destroying the house and generally getting into trouble. Sally is the exact opposite. She is bossy, ultra-organized, and a control freak. On this particular day their mother must host an important evening party at the house for her boss. The kids are left with the babysitter Mrs. Kwan with strict instructions not to cause any problems. Bored out of their minds, they soon find more trouble than they ever expected when the Cat in the Hat appears.
The Cat is a wild, carefree creature with seemingly magical powers. Hes able to make fantastic machines and creatures appear out of nowhere at the drop of the hat (pun intended). His goal is to calm Conrad down and to get Sally to loosen up. Unfortunately, his methods tend to cause mass destruction in the house.
At one point in the party Conrad opens a crate that is the doorway between the real world and the Cats magical world. If they dont recover the crates lock (which is on their lost dogs collar), then the house will be transformed beyond repair. Thus begins a chase to catch the dog, recover the lock, and put the house back to normal before Mom finds out. Their only obstacle is their Mothers evil boyfriend.
The Cat in the Hat is rated PG for mild crude humor and some double-entendres.
What Worked: As a kid I read all of the Dr. Seuss books, so I was interested in seeing how it would be adapted on the big screen. My daughter has also recently become interested in the books, so she was very excited to see the film. I had pretty high expectations for the movie and they were not met, but my kid thoroughly enjoyed it as did all of the other kids in the audience. Theres no doubt its a crowd-pleasing film.
Mike Meyers is pretty good as The Cat. His performance is a mix of the Cowardly Lion from The Wizard of Oz and the lady from the Coffee Talk sketch from Saturday Night Live. Overall its a mixed bag, but he is pretty entertaining. Jim Carrey was better as The Grinch, but the characters are unique. Meyers is most funny when he spins off into side performances. His infomercial bit (as seen in the trailers) is one of the funnier moments in the movie. Another scene when the Cat is mistaken for a piñata at a birthday was also hilarious. A performance as a hippie activist is also a high point of the story.
Meyers works very well with the children played by Dakota Fanning and Spencer Breslin. While both of the children are excellent, Dakota Fanning particularly stands out as Sally. Her no nonsense attitude and bossy nature are perfectly realized by the pint sized actress. Amy Hill is also pretty funny as the seemingly narcoleptic Mrs. Kwan.
The sets in The Cat in the Hat are quite impressive. They arent as wild as the ones in The Grinch, but they are a mix of the familiar and surreal. Its just enough to be appropriately Seussian.
What Didnt Work: While The Cat in the Hat was entertaining, I still had some problems with it. First of all was the adult humor. All of it went over childrens heads, but it still seemed inappropriate for a kids movie. At one point The Cat yells out Son of a bi ! before hes cut off. At another point he tells the children the name of his car which has the acronym SH*T. At another point he looks at a centerfold of the mother and his hat rises up. Alec Bladwin also yells out Judas Priest! (That might be a line from Green Eggs & Ham, though I could be wrong.) There are several other things along the way that youll hope your kid wont understand. You dont want your kid telling their cousins at Thanksgiving, My favorite part in the movie was when The Cat yelled, Son of a bi**h! That will probably have Dr. Seuss rolling in his grave.
And often, despite looking like a Dr. Seuss book, it didnt always feel like it. For example, theres almost no rhyming in the movie. The Cat even flat out says early in his appearance that he wont rhyme. I liked the fact that The Grinch used much of the original books text in the movie, but The Cat in the Hat seems to use very little of it. Other things dont seem Seuss-like. At one point the Cat and the kids run into an underground dance club to get away from Alec Baldwins character. Why people are dancing in a club under a suburban town in the middle of the work day is beyond me. The Cat even busts a move with Paris Hilton who has a cameo role. (I guess she was taking a break from starring in her other feature films, now playing on the internet near you.)
The Bottom Line: The Cat in the Hat is worth checking out once, but your enjoyment of the film may depend on your attitude towards Mike Meyers, the original books, and whether or not you have to explain to a child why the Cat sang about getting his balls cut off.
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Dr. "Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat" is a triumph above all of production design. That's partly because the production design is so good, partly because the movie is so disappointing. It's another overwrought clunker like "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," all effects and stunts and CGI and prosthetics, with no room for lightness and joy.
Our review: Parents say (49 ): Kids say (116 ): The great thing about the irrepressibly anarchic Cat in the Hat is that even Hollywood can't contain him. They can stretch out the story with filler that ranges from the superfluous to the distracting and once in a while reaches the level of oh-no-not-that-again. But every time the Cat takes over ...
Hat absolutely insane, but too long Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 04/21/23 Full Review B S People hate on this movie, but it's so weird and actually the town feels like it's straight ...
jaredpahl 21 August 2016. You'll be hard pressed to find a more toxic film than Mike Myers' The Cat In The Hat. It's one of the worst reviewed movies of its decade, by critics and audiences alike. Most found its vulgarity and juvenile sense of humor to be offensive, considering the magical and timeless source material.
Full Review | Original Score: 2.0/4.0 | Sep 5, 2020. Part of the problem is the film confuses chaos with fun. Full Review | Original Score: F | Apr 23, 2019. The Cat in the Hat is dog food. Full ...
The Cat in the Hat: Directed by Bo Welch. With Mike Myers, Alec Baldwin, Kelly Preston, Dakota Fanning. Two bored children have their lives turned upside down when a talking cat comes to visit them.
Parents need to know that Dr. Seuss's The Cat in the Hat is a classic 1970s animated adaptation of the classic children's book.For decades, Theodor S. Geisel-aka-Dr.Seuss' six-foot-tall cat has delighted young children around the world with his silly songs, pals Thing One and Two, and general mischief making. There's nothing objectionable about the feature, although some parents and teachers ...
The Cat in the Hat (also known as Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat) is a 2003 American fantasy comedy film directed by Bo Welch in his directorial debut and written by Alec Berg, David Mandel and Jeff Schaffer.Loosely based on Dr. Seuss's 1957 book of the same name, it was the second Dr. Seuss adaptation after How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000). The film stars Mike Myers in the title role ...
The Cat in the Hat. Directed by Bo Welch. Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy. PG. 1h 22m. By A. O. Scott. Nov. 21, 2003. In 1957 Dr. Seuss published ''The Cat in the Hat,'' a whimsical story of ...
The Cat in the Hat. 19. Metascore. 37 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com. 50. ReelViews James Berardinelli. It's moderately engaging for the first half-hour, somewhat trying during the second half hour, and virtually unbearable over the final twenty minutes. It's a marginally recommendable film for kids, but not necessarily for parents.
Movie critics hoped for something that truly depicted the book—something more wholesome, rather than an oversized cat making adult jokes every few minutes. One critic remarked, "The Cat in the Hat comes scarily close to being the most unendurable Hollywood creation of the last dozen years." The film was widely disliked by critics, viewers ...
Apart from eye-ball-rolling humor, the movie is on the whole undramatic, and it comes-off more like an on-screen circus. There's the talking fish (a nifty bit of animation) who complains ...
SEUSS' THE CAT IN THE HAT, starring Mike Meyers, is an adaptation of Dr. Seuss's beloved children's book about two bored children and an exuberant, very messy cat. With award-worthy art direction and some frenetic scenes, the movie is questionable for some audiences due to its poor storyline, dull jokes, body humor, and double entendres.
Movie Review: 'The Cat in the Hat' Film critic David Edelstein reviews The Cat in the Hat, starring Mike Myers and Alec Baldwin. Fresh Air From WHYY in Philadelphia. Latest Show; About;
The Cat in the Hat. Metascore Overwhelming Dislike Based on 37 Critic Reviews. 19. User Score Mixed or Average Based on 270 User Ratings. 6.0. My Score. Hover and click to give a rating. Add My Review.
Review by E.M. Lees ★★★★★ 110. Bo Welch's magnum opus, Le Chat au Chapeau (2003) also known as "The Cat in the Hat", is one of the most daring and experimental films Hollywood has crafted in the 2000's. ... how does wes anderson sleep at night knowing his best movie was the cat in the hat directed by bo welch. Review by Josh Lewis 15.
Movie Review. Conrad is a rambunctious 12-year-old boy who tends to make huge messes in the process of entertaining himself. By contrast, his younger sister, Sally, isn't at all spontaneous or fun-loving. ... The plot draws from the popular books The Cat in the Hat and The Cat in the Hat Comes Back, but even then it's a pretty thin story ...
Cat in the Hat is a much more bizarre story than the Grinch, even with their changes in the live action Grinch movie. Reply reply More replies. phxsns1. •. It's so bad, so wrong in its reliance on sex jokes and mean, gross humor, that it becomes fascinating. I don't like the movie at all, but it sure isn't forgettable.
Visit the movie page for 'The Cat in the Hat' on Moviefone. Discover the movie's synopsis, cast details and release date. Watch trailers, exclusive interviews, and movie review. Your guide to this ...
Story: This film is based on the classic children s book by Dr. Seuss. While their single mother works all day, Sally and Conrad stay at home with a babysitter. Conrad spends the day destroying ...
Dr. Seuss' The Cat In The Hat is an eye-popping visual experience, but it's a struggle turning a thin wisp of a book -- just 223 words -- into an 84-minute movie that can hold the attention of ...
02 Apr 2004. Running Time: 82 minutes. Certificate: PG. Original Title: Cat in the Hat, The. When the set design is a film's best feature, you know you're in deep trouble. This may look like a Dr ...
Because The Cat in the Hat is only 70-something pages long (with very LARGE print), it stands to reason that, to make it into a movie, a lot has to be added, and it's mostly in the padding that the movie fails to stand up. As a 30-minute short, this might have been a lot of fun. But as an 82-mintue feature, it seems painfully dragged out.
To any haters of this movie: meow. A Quiet Place: Day One (now streaming on Paramount+, in addition to VOD services like Amazon Prime Video) sees director Michael Sarnoski - of Pig (starring ...