The first film based on the popular Jim Davis comic strip wasn't great as a film but it was a financial success, which would explain why this sequel followed, it was rated a little better by the critics, but I wasn't enthusiastic about it, directed by Tim Hill (Muppets from Space, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Hop). Basically, Jon Arbuckle (Road Trip's Breckin Meyer) is planning to propose to his veterinarian girlfriend Elizabeth "Liz" Wilson (I Know What You Did Last Summer's Jennifer Love Hewitt), who is going on a business trip to London, England. Jon follows her, bringing his pets, lazy greedy cat Garfield (Bill Murray) and dog Odie (not animated), to surprise her. Meanwhile, Lord Manfred Dargis (Billy Connolly) is wanting to inherit Carlyle Castle and the fortune of the late Lady Eleanor Carlyle. But he misses the opportunity to the regal cat Prince XII (Tim Curry), who bears a striking resemblance to Garfield. Dargis traps Prince in a picnic basket and throws him into the river. He survives and is found by Jon who takes him home, while Garfield is found on the street by Prince's butler, Smithee (Ian Abercrombie), and taken to the mansion. Garfield lives in the lap of luxury with everything he could want, including a gang of farm animal followers who he teaches how to make lasagne, while Prince learns how to be an ordinary cat. Despite initially enjoying their new lifestyles, both Garfield and Prince long to return to their former lives. Eventually, Garfield and Prince meet each other face to face and plan to return to their respective homes. Garfield convinces the farm animals to help him, and Jon and Odie discover the mix-up and go to the mansion. Garfield and Prince manage to defeat Dargis as Smithee alerts the authorities and he is arrested for his crimes. Garfield, who was previously against it, is happy for Jon to propose to Liz and she accepts. Also starring Roger Rees as Mr. Hobbs, Lucy Davis as Abby, Bob Hoskins as Winston, Sharon Osbourne as Christophe, Joe Pasquale as I, Claudius; Jane Leeves as Eenie, Jane Horrocks as Meenie, Richard E. Grant as Preston, Vinnie Jones as Rommel, and Rhys Ifans as McBunny, with Roscoe Lee Browne as the Narrator. Murray again has his moments being sarcastic, but again cannot compete with Lorenzo Music, Meyer and Hewitt are fine, Curry is alright, Connolly is average as the pantomime villain, and the various recognisable names as the voices of the farm animals are all fair. The jokes are average, the mistaken-identity plot could have gone a bit better, and the CGI special effects don't do too badly, the kids will have fun with this follow-up, but it is just another less than average comedy. It was nominated the Razzies for Worst Prequel or Sequel and Worst Excuse for Family Entertainment. Okay!
Review of Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties
