#munkustrap vs the glitter

[sevenkittensinatrenchcoat]

1998 Film Munkustrap Rewatch Part 5

So, when last we left our heroes, Old Deuteonomy had been kidnapped. Most of the toms went to search for him while the queens held down the fort. Demeter and Bombalurina spent the time explaining who Macavity is. And now, the exciting conclusion:

After the Macavity number, Munkustrap comes back. They couldn’t find Macavity or Old Deuteronomy. Demeter still has every reason to be afraid and Munkustrap tries to comfort her.

But, Macavity is coming after them. Even Bombalurina is freaked out by this point.

“WHERE THE FUCK IS MY FATHER?!!!”

When Macavity appears disguised as Old Deuteronomy, Munkustrap doesn’t let his guard down right away. He noticed that Macavity is no longer standing on the garbage pile he’d been standing on before “Old Deuteronomy” was brought in. He can tell that something’s not quite right.

When Demeter doesn’t trust “Old Deuteronomy” and wants to charge at him, Munkustrap gives her permission. Something weird is going on. Also, Jenny, who’d looked at “Old Deuteronomy” with suspicion before, is kind of freaking out in the background.

Once Macavity is revealed, one of the first things he does is shove Munkustrap. Macavity is physically the stronger of the two. He might actually be the older brother.

Munkustrap, in Full Stance™, is dedicated to guarding Demeter throughout this scene, to the point that when Macavity strikes a kitten right in front of him, he can’t do anything but watch.

And then Macavity easily shoves Munkustrap out of the way to grab Demeter.

But, Munkustrap is very good at recovering from blows and now it is ON!

And he gets thrown to the floor.

And then Macavity uses his hypno powers on him. Once again, Jacob Brent said that Macavity isn’t actually magical, but he’s clearly using some sort of magical or psychic power here. There was clearly some miscommunication going on here.

Now I’m just imagining Mistoffelees, being the more powerful magician, claiming that Macavity is faking all his powers just to fuck with his rival.

But, no matter what, Macavity can’t make cats disappear and reappear on a barge somewhere.

Anyway, Munkustrap breaks himself free from Macavity’s hypnosis. He couldn’t do it to save Old Deuteronomy, but maybe he can do it now.

And he still gets knocked out. This just isn’t his day, is it?

Rumpleteazer and Electra apply first aid. Actually, I think they’re trying to wake him up by grooming him, possibly trying to clean off some of the blood. The red lighting here makes it look like Munkustrap’s chest is covered in blood. I’m not sure if that was intentional, but it’s a good effect. 

Meanwhile, Mungojerrie experiences a new emotion: The Urge to Kill

It’s interesting how Jerrie and Teazer are emphasized here. They seem to enjoy driving Munkustrap to madness, but they’re both very loyal to him. Combining this with some of her behavior in The Pekes and the Pollicles, Teazer might straight up have a crush on him. Perhaps Mungojerrie does too, but he’s undyingly loyal either way.

Anyway, everything works out okay. Here’s some Demestrap.

Tugger of all cats has a plan to save the day. Bomba and Demeter are immediately onboard but Munkustrap’s still not sure what the fuck is going on? I mean, since when does his little brother take charge in a serious situation like that?

But, the song is catchy and Demeter’s always right, so he’ll roll with it.

Presto! Munkustrap wants to know why it’s raining glitter.

“So, Old Deuteronomy’s life depends on a walking fire hazard. I hope Tugger actually knows what he’s doing and isn’t doing this entirely to get laid.”

Someone’s gonna have to clean up all this glitter and Munkustrap is starting to suspect that it might be him.

But after the Conjuring Turn, Munkustrap starts to get into it. (If you watch the video of the deleted Conjuring Turn, you can see that they cut to directly after it and that’s this shot)

Munkustrap’s still not sure about the glitter, though. It might be flammable.

Seriously, Misto is like an honorary little brother to him and he’s loving the show. He’s just a bit nervous about the lightning and not a fan of cleaning up glitter.

Well, it all works out and Misto gets a hug from Old Deuteronomy. Munkustrap thinks it’s going on a little long...

...But that’s just because he wants a turn to get a hug. It’s all cool.

Skipping ahead to Grizabella. Munkustrap turns to Old Deuteronomy to decide what to do with her and he tells him to hear her out.

Munkustrap is one of the first cats to turn towards Grizabella as she sings. This is while she’s still singing the verse that appeared in The Moments of Happiness. He probably remembers those words. Was she what Old Deuteronomy was talking about?

As Victoria goes to Grizabella, Munkustrap, Old Deuteronomy, and Jellylorum have a bit of a conference about it. Are we going to allow this? Every other time Victoria’s tried to touch Grizabella, it was Jellylorum who stopped her, so perhaps Victoria’s her responsibility and she has to get a say in this. They all agree that she can go ahead.

Munkustrap welcomes Grizabella back into the tribe right before The Journey to the Heaviside Layer. By the time he reaches her, he knows that she’s the Jellicle Choice. Perhaps the choice was just as much his and Jellylorum’s as it was Old Deuteronomy’s.

He’s happy for her, as are we all.