MEOW!
And how appropriate for the film being reviewed today!
Nostalgic Insights: Oh gosh...where do I begin? Cats Don't Dance was one of my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE movies growing up as a child; I would dare say that I watched it more than some of the Disney classics (I remember certainly watching it more than something like Aladdin or Pocahontas). The animation was like tasting a bunch of your favorite snacks that you would eat on a Saturday Afternoon. The music was catchy and gets your toes-a-tappin', especially during the climax, where we are introduced to the granddaddy of switches! And plus, a cat is the MAIN CHARACTER! What's more? He's actually...LIKABLE? And to think that a dog is the pivotal definition of 'man's best friend.' Thank you, Warner Brothers!
So, what do I think of it today when compared to my nostalgic childhood?
Critical Insights: I always joke around that animals always get the shaft when it comes to the process of making a film, so imagine the joy I feel when not only a film like Cats Don't Dance plays with that joke, but actually manages to execute it with energy and heart. While my love for the film has diminished when crossing into adulthood, I still find Cats Don't Dance an under-appreciated gem--an optimistic, colorfully animated musical that pays homage to some of Hollywood's classic pictures, such as King Kong and especially Singin' in the Rain. And once again, A CAT'S THE MAIN CHARACTER! This is a film that would make Grumpy very proud.
Or maybe not, but moving on.
One thing that I appreciate about Cats Don't Dance is its optimism, and most of that comes through the character of Danny (voiced by Scott Bakula). Though not a character with psychological depth, he does represent the everyday, free-spirited dreamer who yearns for a shot of making people happy with his talent. Trouble is, he's an animal, and animals are usually cast as extras for a Noah's Ark picture. Like Don Lockwood from Singin' in the Rain, he goes through every obstacle to make sure everyone gets their chance to shine. That's a good message to send to anyone looking for some inspiration in their lives. More on that later.
Along with Danny, the rest of the characters are a lot of fun to watch. I like Tillie the Hippo (voiced by Kathy Najimy), and how she can have her *big* silly moments but also have a heart as well. Pudge the Penguin (voiced by Matthew Herried) is one of those *awwwww* characters while also remaining as optimistic and determined as Danny (You can also tell where George Miller got his inspiration for Happy Feet from). The stand-outs, however, is any scene with Darla Dimple (voiced by Ashley Peldon) and her servant Max (voiced by Mark Dindal, who is also the director of this film). They provide some of the "biggest and loudest" laughs of the whole film, particularly when they invite Danny over to their place for lunch (those poor animal crackers).
{Note: Darla could be Honey Boo-Boo's twin. No joke. Just look at both of their faces side by side.}
Upon first listen, the songs are quite a catch. "Our Time Has Come," a song that plays during the opening and end titles, is the best song in the film; it's a memorable tune that inspires you to take a chance on your dreams. The rest of the songs are still enjoyable to listen to, even if they don't follow a consistent beat as "Our Time Has Come." I like the reprise of Darla's "Big and Loud," and how the song matches her devilish imagination. "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" displays some of the craziest animation I may have ever seen; if the song's lyrics were as crazier as the visuals, we might have had something that rivals the best of the classic Disney films. As is, I guess it's crazy enough.
One aspect that I love about Cats Don't Dance is that the overall message feels explored with depth, and it's not just a shallow "you've-got-to-believe-in-yourself" message. Despite this film focusing on animals at the center of its theme, they have the same traits that we humans possess; they have emotions, they have energy, they have goals, they make mistakes, they are sometimes stubborn, and they have a certain dream of their own. And the animals are so convincingly drawn to look like humans that I almost did a double take to make sure that Darla was talking to Danny, not Don Lockwood. So the message is, my children, is to respect your animals; they may turn out to be superstars in the future.
Despite my positives toward this wonderful film, I do find some flaws that I now see as a grown, 18-year-old, musical man-child. There are times when the film becomes a little too manic for my taste, especially in the beginning, when we are rushing through an introduction to our characters; during those few minutes, the film doesn't allow you to breathe and indulge in who these characters are. In terms of chracter development, a good five minutes could've been added to develop the relationship between Danny and Sawyer, but instead, it comes off as a predictable boy-and-girl chain of events. I also found it odd that the film was making references to Beetlejuice and Free Willy (or Tilly) near the end when the film takes place in the late '30s. Wouldn't the animals be dead by that point in time?
Oh well. Cats Don't Dance remains a charmer after all these years, and will charm anyone looking for enjoyably energetic entertainment with an excellent message. Out of five bacon str--er, out of five stars, I give Cats Don't Dance...
Until next time,
CHICAGO
and MEOW, of course! MEOW all the way!
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