please note this is my film review of the film cat in the hat it is not in "Ciao" style, i.e. several thousand words long, I just hope you like the review and can see from the star rating if it's any good or not....
AND in response to erika26 ... there is no plotline.... kids house, cat comes, madness, thing one thing two both crap, get car, drive round silly, walked out of cinema, returned more pap, walked out again, returned, pretty much near the end, hah hah hah house falls down nice set ruined, finally finished, off home, write review, put on ciao, DON'T go see it !
thanks.
cat in the hat
This live action adaptation looks more like a remake of Home Alone than a Dr Seuss story. Having read a few Seuss stories and watched The Grinch I thought that I knew what to expect from this film. I was wrong.
Little of the actual Seussian rhyming has been incorporated. In fact it’s heard only in narrative form, in small excerpts, that bookend the action.
This is a genuine disappointment as the remainder of the script, severely lacking in invention, fails to impress. And the humour is often too adult considering the source material and PG rating. Even the songs, which are usually the showpieces of this sort of film, are instantly forgettable and poorly delivered.
None of the performances are impressive. Mike Myers has never been so annoying as he is here and he doesn’t even come close to generating the kind of zest that Jim Carrey brought to The Grinch.
Spencer Breslin and Dakota Fanning star as the two children. Neither shine, but both contribute more than the lifeless Kelly Preston.
Sean Hayes manages to inject some spark as the voice of the fish but this was never going to save a film with so many flaws. Especially when you’ve got the charmless and talentless Alec Baldwin in the mix, who manages to exceed all expectations by further worsening this already uninspiring film.
The story is not at all entertaining and unsurprisingly it’s also implausibly slight.
The set design, costumes and makeup are impressive in themselves but Myers appears to be unable to express himself adequately from beneath the makeup. And rather than make the Cat an original presence and his own, he shamefully resorts to using voices from his previous screen incarnations.
So what we end up with is a cast who fail to do themselves or Seuss justice, a fun story that’s been padded out to the point of impairment, a heavy handed message that’s at odds with Seuss’ subtlety and a severe lack of magic.
Bucket of cold water on standby. Let’s hope this cat doesn’t come back.
1 star out of 5
I also write for a variety of other film review sites:
Other reviews by Kevin Stanley 50 First Dates (2004) Along Came Polly (2004) American Splendor (2003) Big Fish (2003) Cold Mountain (2003) Dawn of the Dead (2004) Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2003) Lord Of The Rings: Return Of The King (2003) Lost in Translation (2003) Love Actually (2003) Mona Lisa Smile (2003)
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Family - Director: Sarah Ball - Original Language: English - Classification: Universal - Starring: Neil Morrissey, Noddy Holder, Alison Steadman, Stephen Tompkinson, Chris Evans, Elton John, Bob The Builder
Production Year: 1993 - Family - Original Language: English - Classification: Universal - Starring: Michael Caine, The Muppets, Jerry Nelson, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz, David Rudman, Steve Whitmire
I'm sorry, you have to take the film for what it is, it's a kids film based on a nonesensical story. My kids love it, from my 2 year old to my nine year old, me, I think it's ok, but then I'm not the target audience. There is a plotline, and also a theme to the movie, and it gives out some good guidelines for children.
Apologies for the ranting
sarah
Marandina 27.04.2004 21:16
A strange but reasonably accurate review.
purplelynne 27.04.2004 20:42
Luckily I have avoided being dragged along to see thisone! Lynne x
The Cat in the Hatis a marketing ploy disguised as a wildly designed movie for hyperactive ... more
kids, and it could use a dose of Ritalin. It hardly matters, though, because kids will surely enjoy the rampant romp that occurs when the top-hatted feline convi...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
The Cat in the Hatis a marketing ploy disguised as a wildly designed movie for hyperactive ... more
kids, and it could use a dose of Ritalin. It hardly matters, though, because kids will surely enjoy the rampant romp that occurs when the top-hatted feline convi...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Don't mess with the hat! Grab a place on the couch or go find a seat for you're in for ... more
a wonderful Dr.Seuss treat! The Cat in the Hat who goes by that name is played by Mike Myers of comedy fame! It starts with two kids on a cold cold wet day. Th...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
Grab a place on the couch, or go find a seat for you're in for a wonderful Dr. Seuss ... more
treat! The Cat in the Hat who goes by the name Is played by Mike Myers of comedy fame! It starts with two kids on a cold, cold, wet day there mum is at work, and they'...
Advantages: The props and furniture etc are bright and chunky making its very unusual and funny to watch! Disadvantages: Sally and Conrad's mum have an admirer who is a disgusting man who wants to send Conrad away.
![Cat In The Hat, The [DVD] [2004]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78496498.jpg "Cat In The Hat, The [DVD] [2004]")
Apr 27th, 2004
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