Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.5

Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat Blu-ray Movie Review

"It is fun to have fun but you have to know how..."

Reviewed by Kenneth Brown February 2, 2013

Of all the beloved Dr. Seuss books, few are more familiar and more iconic than "The Cat in the Hat." Written in response to a friend and educator's challenge -- "write me a story first-graders can't put down" -- and comprised primarily of words drawn from a list of 350 deemed accessible to first graders, the creation of the now-infamous Cat and the genesis of his silly but sly mess of things led to the 1957 book's overwhelming success and helped solidify Theodor Geisel's place in educational and, yes, literary history. But while much of its charm and good humor made the transition to the small screen with 1971's DePatie-Freleng Enterprises animated television special, a bit too much was left behind. The Cat springs to life on the page to this day yet somehow seems confined and even a tad beleaguered in motion. The special will no doubt continue to delight those who discovered it as young children (nostalgia is the great equalizer after all), but their children, weened on modern animation and the best Pixar and DreamWorks has to offer, will be less than enthused with the two-dimensional misadventures and sing-songy zaniness that unfolds.

It's a bit disheartening too. Excited at the prospect of introducing my son to an animated special I adored at his age, my hopes were high. As it played, though, and long before he said a single word, I realized such lofty expectations were foolish. Perhaps if he were four or even five, it might have been more entertaining. But I was too late. He was bored and unamused, and frankly I don't blame the poor kid. What seemed magical in the '70s and '80s has long since been rendered quaint and archaic. Everything -- from the stilted animation to the mediocre music to the limitations of the medium -- falls short, neutering The Cat in the Hat of the all-ages appeal it once held. Worse, drastic departures from the text (made solely to fill out its broadcast runtime) dilute the whimsy and fun of the tale. Reconnecting with a gem from my own childhood kept me going, and suitably enamored I suppose, but it was clear my love was of a memory, not of the outmoded television special we were watching. And although I'm sure this has all edged nearer and nearer to blasphemy for some, The Cat in the Hat -- the animated special, not the book, mind you -- is more in line with Horton Hears a Who (1970) than The Lorax (1972) or the finest of them all: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966).

Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Like How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Lorax and Green Eggs and Ham before it, The Cat in the Hat features a faithful remaster and commendable 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer that dust off the 1971 TV special and make it look good as new. Colors are bright and vibrant, black levels are deep and inky, and contrast is consistent. Grain is intact as well (to the point of being a bit frenzied at times), and every last detail and flaw in the original animation is on display for all to see. The animators' line art is crisp and clean (minus the usual cel inconsistencies and slight misalignments) and color fills are stable and satisfying. Moreover, there aren't any serious instances of artifacting, banding, aliasing or the like, and age is the only factor that works against the presentation.

Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Warner's DTS-HD Master Audio Mono track isn't going to inspire many fans to cheer as enthusiastically as they should, but only because the original audio elements aren't exactly cause for excitement. The studio has done a fine job restoring the quality of the dialogue and effects, though, and the music and songs rarely crowd out the proceedings. Noise and hiss are kept to a reasonable minimum and there aren't any major distractions -- other than the obvious -- to contend with. All in all, Warner delivers a solid AV presentation.

Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• The Cat in the Hat Sing-A-Long Mode (HD, 25 minutes): Sing along with The Cat in the Hat as dynamic karaoke-style lyrics appear over-top the entire image. The black bars to either side of the feature presentation are also filled with various designs, some static, some animated.
• The Hoober-Bloob Highway (SD, 25 minutes): An obscure 1975 animated special that, interestingly, isn't actually based on any of Seuss' books. It also happened to be the last Seuss special to air on CBS.
• Daisy-Head Mayzie (SD, 25 minutes): A 1995 Hanna-Barbera animated adaptation of Dr. Seuss' last book.

Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"The Cat in the Hat" may be a timeless, fan-favorite Dr. Seuss book, but the 1971 television special of the same name is less successful and beholden to its era. Granted, nostalgia will prevail for those blessed with it. Others, though, won't be so lucky. Thankfully, Warner has treated The Cat in the Hat with the utmost respect regardless, and the only disappointment to be had is that the disc's supplemental package is as anemic as it is.