CATS (U)

★★ ★★★ THIS big-budget, big-screen version of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical was panned by critics when it was released in cinemas. Now you can see what all the fuss was about.

Naive white cat Victoria (Francesca Hayward) is cruelly discarded in a London alleyway as felines gather for the Jellicle Ball, where Old Deuteronomy (Dame Judi Dench) will grant a precious extra life to one member of the congregation. Hopefuls include greedy Bustopher Jones ( James Corden), showman Rum Tum Tugger (Jason Derulo), palsy-afflicted Gus The Theatre Cat (Sir Ian McKellen), outcast Grizabella ( Jennifer Hudson) and lazy tabby Jennyanydots (Rebel Wilson).

When scheming Macavity (Idris Elba) gatecrashes the ball with malevolent intent and a sprinkling of catnip courtesy of alluring Bombalurina (Taylor Swift, pictured), competitors put their differences aside to restore peace.

■ Download/stream now and on DVD from June 1.