Conrad and Sally Walden are home alone with their pet fish. It is raining outside, and there is nothing to do. Until The Cat in the Hat walks in the front door. He introduces them to their imagination, and at first it's all fun and games, until things get out of hand, and The Cat must go, go, go, before their parents get back.
The younger the viewers, the better reactions are bound to be, while grownups will sit still in varying states of bemusement and discomfiture.
– Todd McCarthy,
Variety,
21 Nov 2003
fresh:
So good it breaks your heart for not being better.
– Stephen Hunter,
Washington Post,
21 Nov 2003
rotten:
About as creatively inspired as a giant hairball.
– Desson Thomson,
Washington Post,
21 Nov 2003
rotten:
The best argument yet made for extending artists' rights beyond the grave.
– Charles Taylor,
Salon.com,
22 Nov 2003
rotten:
First published in 1957, The Cat In The Hat is one of the most-loved and best-selling children's books ever. It's also a mere 1,600 words -- and even at 82 minutes, the movie version seems like a big stretch.