Movies

Demovictory9

(33,683 posts) Sun Dec 22, 2019, 12:09 AM Dec 2019

Cats' Poor Reception Prompts Universal to Send an 'Improved,' Updated Version to Theaters

https://www.thewrap.com/cats-poor-reception-prompts-universal-to-send-an-improved-updated-version-to-theaters/

After Universal Pictures’ new film “Cats” was clawed and torn to shreds by critics last week, the studio told movie theaters on Friday that it would be sending a new version of the film with “some improved visual effects.”

The move of replacing a film already in theaters with an “improved” version is unheard of But according to a copy of a memo obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, director Tom Hooper has been upfront about the fact that he barely finished the CGI on the film in time for the world premiere in New York City last week, and the switch is at his request.

Critics have disparaged “Cats,” which stars Francesca Hayward, Taylor Swift, Judi Dench, Jennifer Hudson and Idris Elba, among others. The film received a C+ CinemaScore and was slapped with a 19% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The updated film is expected to be available for cinemas to download on Sunday via a satellite server, but for exhibitors that don’t have access to the server, they are expected to receive a hard drive by Tuesday, according to Universal. The studio is asking that theaters replace the current print of Cats as soon as possible.

Universal didn’t immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment

12 replies

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Cats' Poor Reception Prompts Universal to Send an 'Improved,' Updated Version to Theaters (Original Post) Demovictory9 Dec 2019 OP

Anyone remember the good old days when a film was sent to theatres as, y'know, film prints? regnaD kciN Dec 2019 #1

The first thing I thought about when I heard they were releasing it as a movie: Laffy Kat Dec 2019 #2

Same here. My daughter took me to see Cat's as a birthddayand it was the first play I had seen live. justhanginon Dec 2019 #4

Good thing I'm seeing it tomorrow TlalocW Dec 2019 #3

I didn't care for the play Cats. pressbox69 Dec 2019 #5

I didn't like the play CATs either. Demovictory9 Dec 2019 #6

Got the wife tickets for a performance this coming spring. Dagstead Bumwood Dec 2019 #7

the play is a dazzling display of dance. that is undeniable despite the lack of plot, weird costumes Demovictory9 Dec 2019 #8

She told me the performers come out into the audience Dagstead Bumwood Dec 2019 #9

welll..i hope you didnt get front row seats Demovictory9 Dec 2019 #10

Back of the first section, so maybe 15 rows back. Dagstead Bumwood Dec 2019 #11

I have to wonder what Universal was thinking TexasBushwhacker Dec 2019 #12

regnaD kciN

(26,568 posts)

1. Anyone remember the good old days when a film was sent to theatres as, y'know, film prints?

Reply to Demovictory9 (Original post)

Sun Dec 22, 2019, 12:30 AM

Dec 2019

Right now, what you're seeing "projected" in theatres is a digital file pretty much indistinguishable from what you would get from cable or Netflix on a big enough television.

Besides, from the reviews I've seen, the negative reception for Cats has little to do with its CGI.

Laffy Kat

(16,517 posts)

2. The first thing I thought about when I heard they were releasing it as a movie:

Reply to Demovictory9 (Original post)

Sun Dec 22, 2019, 12:53 AM

Dec 2019

That's not going to work. Sometimes we need to let plays, especially musicals, just be plays. I personally love the play and have seen it several times at different venues and had zero interest in the movie.

justhanginon

(3,322 posts)

4. Same here. My daughter took me to see Cat's as a birthddayand it was the first play I had seen live.

Reply to Laffy Kat (Reply #2)

Sun Dec 22, 2019, 08:25 AM

Dec 2019

Still one of my all time favorites along with Les Miserables. Nothing can replace the immediacy and excitement of live presentations.

TlalocW

(15,623 posts)

3. Good thing I'm seeing it tomorrow

Reply to Demovictory9 (Original post)

Sun Dec 22, 2019, 03:05 AM

Dec 2019

I want to see all its hideousness in its original form.

TlalocW

pressbox69

(2,252 posts)

5. I didn't care for the play Cats.

Reply to Demovictory9 (Original post)

Tue Dec 24, 2019, 12:28 AM

Dec 2019

I doubt I'll like the movie. Waiting for Sunset Boulevard. Hopefully they won't screw up a movie musical about movies. My idea is that most of the scenes in Desmond's mansion should be filmed in black and white but the studios never listen to my suggestions.

Demovictory9

(33,683 posts)

6. I didn't like the play CATs either.

Reply to pressbox69 (Reply #5)

Tue Dec 24, 2019, 02:13 AM

Dec 2019

Dagstead Bumwood

(4,962 posts)

7. Got the wife tickets for a performance this coming spring.

Reply to Demovictory9 (Original post)

Wed Dec 25, 2019, 06:29 PM

Dec 2019

She saw it as a teen and was overcome when she opened the gift with the tickets inside. So, I know she will enjoy it, but I have doubts about myself. Still, it has to be better than the movie, that thing looks creepy as fuck.

Demovictory9

(33,683 posts)

8. the play is a dazzling display of dance. that is undeniable despite the lack of plot, weird costumes

Reply to Dagstead Bumwood (Reply #7)

Wed Dec 25, 2019, 07:24 PM

Dec 2019

etc.

Dagstead Bumwood

(4,962 posts)

9. She told me the performers come out into the audience

Reply to Demovictory9 (Reply #8)

Wed Dec 25, 2019, 07:37 PM

Dec 2019

and paw at audience members or some damn thing. Would it be bad form to bring a spray bottle to repel them?

Demovictory9

(33,683 posts)

10. welll..i hope you didnt get front row seats

Reply to Dagstead Bumwood (Reply #9)

Wed Dec 25, 2019, 07:43 PM

Dec 2019

Dagstead Bumwood

(4,962 posts)

11. Back of the first section, so maybe 15 rows back.

Reply to Demovictory9 (Reply #10)

Wed Dec 25, 2019, 07:46 PM

Dec 2019

Hopefully I go unnoticed.

TexasBushwhacker

(20,651 posts)

12. I have to wonder what Universal was thinking

Reply to Demovictory9 (Original post)

Fri Dec 27, 2019, 07:47 PM

Dec 2019

They spent almost $100 million making it, which means they have to make double at the box office just to break even. Steven Spielberg executive produced.

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