The first big reviews for the animated The Cat in the Hat are in, and they do not agree. Deadline loves it, Variety finds it overstuffed, and The Hollywood Reporter says it gets the silliness right but misses the charm.
Quick answer
The Cat in the Hat is an animated Dr. Seuss feature starring Bill Hader as the Cat. The voice cast also includes Quinta Brunson, Bowen Yang, America Ferrera, Giancarlo Esposito and Matt Berry, per The Hollywood Reporter. Early critic reaction is mixed: Deadline calls it a delightful, long-overdue animated debut, while Variety and THR are more reserved.
Worth a ticket?
The pitch from the positive side is energy. Deadline's reviewer grew up on the 1957 book and frames the film as a fresh, dimension-hopping take on the chaotic cat, and as a long-overdue animated feature debut for the character.
The skeptical read
Variety's review is blunt: the film departs from the innocent wildness of the Seuss books and leans on the scale and plot setups of big animated blockbusters, to the point of feeling like a Marvel movie for tots. THR lands in a similar place with a gentler note, crediting the antic silliness but saying the movie misses the charm.
Who it is for
If you want a loud, joke-dense family outing, the positive review is your signal. If you are attached to the picture-book tone, the two cooler reviews suggest keeping expectations in check. Our summary comes from the review excerpts, since the full pieces were not accessible to us.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Who voices the Cat in the Hat?
A: Bill Hader.
Q: Who else is in the voice cast?
A: Quinta Brunson, Bowen Yang, America Ferrera, Giancarlo Esposito and Matt Berry, per The Hollywood Reporter.
Q: Is it a faithful adaptation of the book?
A: Per Variety, no. It departs from the books in spirit and structure.
Q: What do critics say overall?
A: Mixed: Deadline is enthusiastic, Variety and THR are more reserved.
Q: Is it live action?
A: No, this is an animated feature.
Sources: Deadline, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter.