Is it possible that the movie **Nine Lives** has completely fallen apart? Don't be fooled by this silly children’s comedy, because despite its attempts at being cute—involving a wealthy businessman who becomes a wisecracking hairball—it lacks any real comedic substance and feels like juggling piles of kitty litter. The film is charmless, bland, and trivial; this clumsy and immature story about a self-centered rich guy/adorable cat and the young girl enjoying the strange events unfolding may even lower the IQs of the children it’s trying to entertain with cheap laughs. It almost feels wrong to criticize something as lighthearted as **Nine Lives**, like scolding a bunny for twitching its nose. But the question remains, did that bunny deserve such treatment? It's hard to believe that acclaimed filmmakers would be involved in this toothless and silly project. Director Barry Sonnenfeld, known for hits like _Men in Black_ and _Get Shorty_, seems to have struggled to inject any life into this lifeless cat-themed story filled with tired jokes and sugary sentimentality. The manufactured charm and obviousness of the simple humor will leave you wanting something more—something, er, more appealing. Beyond Sonnenfeld’s disappointing direction, it's surprising that two-time Oscar winner Kevin Spacey agreed to participate in this catastrophe fueled by catnip. Remarkably, **Nine Lives** features not one but two Academy Award winners: Spacey and the ever-unpredictable Christopher Walken. The only real victim is the poor cat forced to carry this Disney-like dud on its furry shoulders. The film seems to try to capitalize on the popularity of online cat videos and also satirize controversial politician Donald J. Trump (through Spacey’s portrayal of his character). While **Nine Lives** does have a few moments of playful humor, it mostly shuffles along in an uninspired way. Spacey portrays Tom Brand, a wealthy New York City real estate developer who is always chasing success. This obsession often interferes with spending time with his second wife, Lara (Jennifer Garner), and their daughter, Rebecca (Malina Weissman). While Tom’s neglect of his family is certainly wrong, he does care for Rebecca and wants to give her a special birthday gift. Rebecca is obsessed with cats. Since Tom isn't fond of them, he reluctantly buys a cat named Mr. Fuzzypants as a present. Through a strange "accident," the wealthy Tom Brand finds himself trapped in the body of Mr. Fuzzypants. Now, Rebecca has her wish: her absent father and beloved pet combined into one package for her to enjoy. Aside from the predictable puns, silly dialogue, and formulaic jokes, **Nine Lives** feels as worn out as a toy mouse being chased by a feral cat. The actors have little to do besides play second fiddle to the CGI cat with Spacey’s voice. It's easy to dismiss **Nine Lives** as simple entertainment for children looking for an escape, but they would be better off watching funny cat videos online than enduring this flimsy fantasy about a businessman learning to appreciate his family through the experience of being a playful tomcat. The film does promote a nice message for kids, but it's overshadowed by the forgettable silliness that pervades the comedy. Spacey’s Trump-inspired character could have been entertaining if it weren’t stuck in this pointless children’s movie. Walken’s presence is wasted and easily forgotten. The true victims are Weissman’s Rebecca and her feline companion, Mr. Fuzzypants, as they try to capture the childlike spirit of the story. It feels like the adult actors should have their union cards taken away. Since 1993's _Look Who's Talking Now_, voiceover animals haven't been this irritating. The 87-minute **Nine Lives** felt like it drained the joy out of Mr. Fuzzypants and, more importantly, the moviegoers. **Nine Lives** (2016) EuropaCorp 1 hr. 27 mins. Starring: Kevin Spacey, Jennifer Garner, Christopher Walken, Malina Weissman, Teddy Sears, Talitha Bateman, Mark Consuelos, Robbie Amell, Cheryl Hines Directed by: Barry Sonnenfeld MPAA Rating: PG Genre: Comedy/Fantasy & Adventure Critic’s rating: * 1/2 stars (out of 4 stars) (c) **Frank Ochieng** 2016

Source on TMDB