The kids will have fun, until the movie says it’s done.
I’d like to read Homer Simpson’s insult, if you would please,
on the live-action “Cat in the Hat” movie from 2003.
“I’m frightened of nothing, not even Hellfires.
Just don’t ever let me be played by Mike Myers.”
From the pages of Dr. Seuss’ most iconic character first published in 1957,
to the TV special that felt like heaven,
to the live-action movie that was bad,
to the PBS series that made kids glad,
The Cat in the Hat Comes Back
without a furball to hack.
Well, except for that recent “Sesame Street” spot
with another Mike Myers reminder that’s far from hot.
And I don’t recall saying I wanted a Dr. Seuss horror flick
made by YouTubers or movie hicks.
There are better animated films this year like “Hoppers” and “Wildwood,”
but speaking as Yoda, “See this movie you should.”
It’s another movie to expand the book,
and there’s a lot more to look,
like “2001: A Space Odyssey” or “Fantastic Mr. Fox.”
Now, let’s see what’s inside this Cat’s box.
Bill Hader does the voice of the Cat in the Hat without a pout,
especially since his voice work includes the exceptional “Inside Out.”
His boss (voiced by Giancarlo Esposito) is always making a fuss
over the Cat’s antics, and therefore he’s like Chief Dreyfus.
Actually, he’s as skinny as a flattened Judge Doom.
But he’s still tired of the Cat’s messes going BOOM BOOM BOOM!
And he plans to make his life lame,
and ruin his friendship with Sherry (voiced by Quinta Brunson of “Abbott Elementary” fame).
The kids Cat is supposed to help are a Latino family that moved to a new town.
And it’s inevitable that these kids would frown.
Xochitl Gomez voices Gabby and Tiago Martinez voices Sebastian.
And boy, does the Cat show them some magical attractions.
He can make their fish talk with the voice of Matt Berry,
and he has Things 1 to 17, except 2, which is scary.
And the Cat does have a time travel gizmo,
which falls into one of the moving boxes, each with a “Mary Poppins” show.
You get magic drums and trumpets playing “Shake It Off,”
an underwater circus that needs the kids’ magic to take off,
a shadow puppet telenovela,
and the Cat acting like another Genie fella.
“The Cat in the Hat” is now released by Warner Bros, and neither Netflix nor Illumination.
And the decision to see it or not is for your consideration.
Now, here’s my analysis, which I must blunt,
and there’s no need for a manhunt.
The story can be sometimes predictable,
but its energy, colors, and fun are cute and irresistible.
Hader is a talented voice actor, and he has some fun.
He knows how to voice, until he wants to be done.
Gomez is fine and proving she’s more than America Chavez,
And I also trust Esposito, Brunson, Berry, and America Ferrra (as the mom), that’s what CJ says.
The animation is no “Green Eggs & Ham,”
but it seeing it in a “Mr. Peabody & Sherman” way, it’s no sham.
No dirty jokes or immature Alec Baldwin villain,
so this version is definitely for children.
I’m a young adult, but I’m no cynic.
I look out for censors, as your beloved critic.
And either the parents will have fun or be driven crazy.
That’s debatable these days, but this Cat is far from lazy.
A nice way to begin the flick without rhyme or reason,
is a new Daffy Duck short called “Daffy Season.”
He’s voiced by the recently departed Eric Bauza, and he’s upset
that the big soccer game is overshadowing him with Bugs and Elmer on the mindset.
He should be grateful that on Duck Season, he isn’t getting shot,
but he still has a battle with the game that must be fought.
