Under normal circumstances I wouldn't have much of an inclination to watch a movie like The Cat in the Hat, but I would be lying if I said that Dr. Seuss didn't dazzle my mind as a kid, and Mike Myers didn't tickle my funny bone as a young adult. So, I decided to check it out. I also have a DVR now, so recording movies on TV has been a convenient way to catch up on things I haven't seen.
Anyway, I thought that the visuals in this movie were extremely good. They're colorful, playful, and fantasy-like.
The storyline was good, considering the movie primarily takes place at Sally and Conrad (our protagonist's) home. The movie starts there, and it basically ends there too.
Truthfully, it's a bit of a whirlwind of a movie. Once Mike Myers shows up (as the Cat in the Hat of course), we're plunged into the chaos and fun that is characteristic of Myers. Honestly, it seems like he's up to his usual antics and there's definitely some Austin Powers and Shrek (and possibly some other characters he's played) thrown in there. There's even a scene where the kids and the cat go to a club reminiscent of Austin Powers, and Paris Hilton makes a short but mostly pointless cameo.
Still, this would probably be a fun movie to watch with your kids or kids in general. Is it a must-see? No. But if you're looking for something that combines the wackiness of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with Mike Myer's comedic sensibilities, and still appeal to kids, then you're not going to find much else.
As for Dr. Seuss, does this movie pay adequate homage to him? Perhaps in small ways. It's a mini-adventure full of quirkiness and playfulness.
