Seems like all the negative reviews are mostly from people not familiar with the stage musical If you don't know what the stage musical is about, then this movie will just seem like utter nonsense. Because it kind of is. There's not a great story there, but man there is some good music. Until Phantom, Cats was the longest-running Broadway show. And don't forget that the show, in turn, was based on some old T.S. Eliot poetry about cats. It's just bizarre stuff all around.
I knew what I was getting when I watched this. It's exactly what I imagined. This is a movie adaptation of a stage musical. I don't disagree that it works much better as a stage musical, but this version is not without its merits. Some great performances by Taylor Swift, Jennifer Hudson, Judi Dench and Ian McKellen.
The music was as great as it's always been. Catchy songs by Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber. I'm still humming the familiar tunes a week later. However, the singing could've been better.
So what's terrible about this movie that makes everyone hate it so much? Like I said, strange material for a movie. Also, creepy CGI and a bland performance from the lead. Not much structure. It's more like a series of songs being tied together by the occasional dialog.
If you're looking for a more typical 3-act Hollywood formula, look elsewhere.
Overall, definitely worth a watch if you love musicals.