Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2541 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-08-16
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Anamorphic, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 78 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
The Cat in the Hat is a marketing ploy disguised as a wildly designed movie for hyperactive kids, and it could use a dose of Ritalin. It hardly matters, though, because kids will surely enjoy the rampant romp that occurs when the top-hatted feline convinces young Sally (Dakota Fanning) and Conrad (Spencer Breslin) to wreak havoc in the home their mother (Kelly Preston) has neatly prepared for an upcoming party. It's all in the name of fun, and while Seuss's classic rhymes are relegated to voice-over narration, director Bo Welch capitalizes on his background as one of Hollywood's most gifted production designers (with credits including Edward Scissorhands and Men in Black), turning the Seussian town of "Anville" into a playful pastiche of pastels. As played by Mike Myers under layers of fur and latex, Dr. Seuss's mischievous Cat is mayhem personified, and the movie suffers from his anything-goes approach to getting a laugh. And though Myers delivers a few laughs while channeling voices from his own comedic repertoire (including "Coffee Talk" maven Linda Richman), a little of this Cat goes a long way, and he nearly wears out his welcome. --Jeff Shannon

Synopsis
This adaptation of the classic children's book stars Mike Meyers (AUSTIN POWERS) as the wily talking cat with a tall striped hat and more than a few tricks up his sleeve. Set in a colourful make-believe world, the film tells the classic tale of a sister and brother, Sally (Dakota Fanning) and Conrad (Spencer Breslin), who pass a rainy afternoon with their grumpy babysitter Mrs. Kwan (Amy Hill), during which they receive a visit from the mysterious Cat in the Hat, who leads them on a series of colourful, illogical, silly misadventures. Meanwhile their mother (Kelly Preston), her paranoid boss (Sean Hayes), and her phony boyfriend (Alec Baldwin), present obstacles for the children as they become part of the Cat's chaotic world.
With candy coloured sets that pop off the screen and zany special effects that give the story a decidedly 21st century spin, this movie presents a fast-paced and very non-traditional rendering of Dr. Seuss. The rhyming lines that usually characterise Dr. Seuss stories are referenced here, but modern jokes that riff on television advertisements and pop psychology are given more importance. Dakota Fanning is utterly adorable as little Sally, and Thing 1 and Thing 2 are delightful in their chittering and acrobatics. A bright and happy film packed with dazzling stunts, DR. SEUSS' THE CAT IN THE HAT is an entertaining treat.

Customer Reviews

Great for the CHILDREN.
To most adults this film will seem like a solid piece of farce, but to easy-to-please children and the odd adult, this film is a rollercoaster of fun!
It is about a cat in a hat who arrives at the feet of Conrad and Sally (Dakota Fanning and Spencer Breslin), two young children who NEED a bit of fun in their boring predictable afternoon. And they get it. With Conrad the constant trouble-maker, Sally the strict and over-sensible ten year-old, and a cat in a hat, the day unfolds one problem after the other but ensures lots of fun! Even Paris Hilton pops up at one point!

Awful
The movie version of the Cat in the Hat is a mess. If you are comparing it to the book (a slightly unfair comparison) then you will loathe it but by any standard this is a poor film.

This adaptation takes the approach of stretching the original Cat In The Hat story and then padding it with new elements. Mike Myers seems to have been given rather too free a hand here as the padding seems to consist of anything that he thought might be funny (e.g. a repeat of the Wayne's World product placement joke). The result is a terrible mish-mash that does not really work. It certainly fails to capture any of the magic of the books.

On the plus side - the set design is amazing, an incredible vision in pastel colours and it is easy to see why Dakota Fanning is destined to be a superstar, she acts everybody else off the screen.

This is poor but not unwatchable film - my son (4) quite enjoyed it even if I did not. However, if you love Dr Seuss I would steer clear.

Dr.Seuss- You've done it again
I am a huge fan of Dr. Seuss. I find his books brilliant, even though they are for children. 'The Grinch' was made two or three years ago starring Jim Carrey, but I found it rather monotinus, if not funny.
Then I heard that 'The cat in the hat' was being released, I jumped at the chance to go see it. I was not disappointed, Mike Myers gives an excellent performance as the cat, while Sean Hayes (Jack from Will and Grace) Plays the fish extremely well. Together, the cat, sally and corad have the time of their lives. Learning just the right way to have fun. Together with thing 1 and thing 2( also known as Chocolate Thun-da) have a whirlwind adventure.

This is not to be missed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!