Mad Cats

I almost switched off - until I didn't - when I realised the two mismatched protagonists bore similarities to R2-D2 and the other one, and when a mercenary type mystery lady entered the play - this no budget, comedy, martial arts adventure suddenly ascended to 'trash cinema classic' status. Comic book violence, restrained set shots and a much grander plot than the budget affords, I liked it and laughed out loud as was intended.

There may be predictability and over simplified characters here but if you like Kurosawa with Alex Cox, Spielberg, Lucas and Tarantino thrown in for good measure - give Mad Cats a bash.

I had the opportunity to see "Mad Cats" at the Brussels International Film Festival in April 2023.

I won't try to describe the plot: let's just say it's a road movie with a lot of action sequences involving female cats who look a lot like humans .

If you don't pay attention, you may be tempted to dismiss this movie as an inconsistent absurdist Japanese action comedy about felines made by amateurish would-be moviemakers. How wrong you would be then !

This is one of these rare gems where you laugh out loud, and at the same time you have to admire the visuals (at the same time absurd and incredibly beautiful), the pacing, the fact that it works both at face value and as an allegory.

Even if they have almost nothing in common, I would say this movie plays with the same kind of absurd themes and visuals as Kurosawa Kiyoshi...

It's about 90 minutes of pure cinema made by authors free enough to try, sometimes miss, but often achieve to show things that have not been shown before, in a deeply original way.

It works as an action movie, works as a road movie, works as a terrific comedy but.mostly transcends the genres. Just cinematic pleasure.

I don't know whether, after it finishes its festival run, it will be possible to watch this gem anywhere. But if you have the chance, don't miss it.

I hope this team keeps making movies. Low budget Japanese genre cinema is often a treasure trove.

No pun intended - although it makes me think: did Schrodinger account the nine lives cats have? So it would be more likely that the cat is alive when we finally decide to open the box. Anyway, no cat in a box here ... but catnip in a box. Is that better? Tough to say - you decide. Also if you want to watch something as silly and weird as this - with the one life you have.

This is a very specific and strange humor - I was not totally convinced, but I do like the director (he introduced the movie to the Fantasy Filmfest) ... that said, I can not give it any more points. Though I can understand the appeal .. and it is really funny at times. But it has more misses than real hits. And even with only around 90 minutes it feels like it is dragging for way longer .... I watched a 150 movie before this .. and the other movie felt ... shorter! Just saying - and for your consideration.

The "cats" are well played I reckon and the sword wielding joke is fun ... but it does grow old and might be tiresome to ... some. Suspension of disbelief is something you need a lot of ... and patience ... very "immature" characters and very clumsy too ... the self awareness might work (what am I doing here? Not me, one of the characters does ask this) ... or not! Up to you.