The Cat in the Hat
Hollywood’s typical formula (Well-Known Literary Property + Star Power  + Mega Marketing Muscle=Box Office Dynamite) is anything but a sure thing, as the merciless reviews for this Mike Myers take on the Dr. Seuss classic attested in droves. But lost beneath the cat-suited Myers endless schtick and a creative tack that even dared forego Seuss’ patent rhymes is a wonderfully inventive, endlessly exuberant orchestral score by David Newman. Essentially treating the material as live-action cartoon, Newman has concocted an updated take on the traditional animation score that consistently bristles with energy and musical surprises. While young Newman’s cues here occasionally lean on some of brother Thomas’ patent rhythmic hoodoo and a little of cousin Randy’s bittersweet pastoral arrangements, the whole is distinctive and entirely his own: a great score for a lousy movie. Smashmouth contributes a faithful, equally upbeat cover of the Beatles’ "Getting Better" while Myers musical mugging is kept to a merciful minimum.--Jerry McCulley