The Cat in the Hat – Budget of $86 million – 1 hour and 47 minutes
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The Cat in the Hat returns to the Institution of Imagination and Inspiration LLC and reports his client’s satisfaction. While the Emotcope says the client is happy, the mess-o-meter is registering off the charts. Intern Gary calls Sherrie from HR to assess the situation. Sherri doesn’t reprimand him because she only cares if the client is delighted. Their boss, Mr. Hoogeboom, disagrees. He’s tired of The Cat’s antics. He thinks The Cat is selfish and doesn’t care about the clients. Mr. Hoogeboom fires The Cat and demands his stripes. However, Sherri finds a loophole. The company must give The Cat one more chance to prove himself before they terminate him. Mr. Hoogeboom sighs and agrees, but The Cat can only use a potato on a string. If the mess-o-meter registers over 10, The Cat’s career is done. He looks through his files and assigns The Cat his toughest client: Gabby. As The Cat leaves, Mr. Hoogeboom gets a devilish idea. He tells The Cat not to go to the forbidden section of the supply closet. The Cat rushes there and finds the go-backer device. It allows him to rewind time. Now he can fix any mess he makes.
Nurse Carmen moves into her new apartment with her children, Gabby and Sebastian. Sebastian stays positive, but Gabby mopes. She wants to return to their old home, school, friends, and marching band. Gabby hates that they moved for Carmen’s new job. She believes Carmen doesn’t understand her because Carmen isn’t creative. She’s another boring adult. Carmen leaves for work, and Gabby sulks on the couch. Sebastian tries to get Gabby to play with him, but she won’t. Then they hear a sound from the wall; it’s The Cat. Carmen shoots him with pepper spray as Sebastian threatens to call the police. He regains their trust, using magic to make Sebastian’s pet goldfish, Waffles, speak. He starts his spiel and breaks a lamp. He grabs the go-backer and fixes it. Gabby grabs it. She wants to go back to when her mother got the call to interview for the job so she can block the number. Sebastian wants to go back in time so Gabby can spend quality time with him again. The Cat and the kids scramble over the go-backer, and it flies into the air. It falls into the boxes behind them, and The Cat worries. Gabby doesn’t understand until she looks inside. The go-backer turned the box into a pocket dimension. The kids offer to help The Cat find the go-backer if he turns back time so they can go home. The Cat agrees. However, The Cat doesn’t know that using the go-backer unleashed something evil. And it’s coming for them. Can they find the go-backer before they lose everything?
This animation starts with a Looney Tunes short. It will give parents time to take their little ones to the bathroom. The film starts with a funny theme song and the opening line of Dr. Seuss’s classic book (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). However, the plot delves into deeper topics. It highlights a parent’s sacrifice and love that children don’t see or understand. It’s a heartfelt and underappreciated bond. The animation is fantastical, but viewers don’t need 3D. Each cardboard box holds a family member’s important items. It comes to life with their imagination. The world feels authentic and fun. Their worlds have an underwater circus, marching bands, and living instruction manuals. The writers walked a tightrope. They expanded the source material and created relatable characters who weren’t bratty, merely misunderstood. This film’s downfalls are the jokes and sound editing. Most jokes fall flat while slapstick shines. The backing track and sound effects drown out the dialogue and singing. The Cat in the Hat belongs in theaters but is not worth a second viewing.
I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars
I hope you like the theme song – The Cat
You leave him hanging – Mr Hoogeboom
Do you laugh? – Waffles
Thank you – Carmen
Ah, surprise – Gabby and Sebastian
You should always stick up for a friend – Sherri
