I confess upfront that I was skeptical of the first film starring the orange fat cat whose comic strip was the only one I really ever read as a kid. But needless to say I enjoyed the “Roger Rabbit” approach which featured the animated feline and ‘real people’. However, when word spead that a sequel was on it way, I again had my doubts that I could be won over...a second time.

In “Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties” we check our passports and head to London as the lasagna-loving Garfield and his faithful sidekick, Odie, stow away in Jon’s luggage. Once there, Garfield has no trouble finding the kind of trouble we would expect of him. But where the story gets fun is in the parallel storyline in which a look-a-like cat named Prince has just inherited his recently deceased master’s castle.

Of course this is absurd to the evil Lord Dargis, who is the next heir in line to inherit the estate once Prince’s nine lives have expired. It isn’t long before the cats are mistakenly taken for each other, and in turn, are immersed in the other’s lifestyle. The rest, I’m sure you can figure out...

I found myself chuckling out loud along with the kids and adults in the audience as Billy Connolly as Lord Dargis, provides plenty of comedy while trying to receive his inheritance. Garfield and Prince are voiced with feline “purr-fection” by Bill Murray and Tim Curry, while Beckin Meyer provides a mediocre turn as Jon, which is fine because we don’t see a lot of him anyway. Jennifer Love Hewitt returns as well as the apple of Jon’s (and my) eye.

It is nothing spectacular, yet finds plenty of humor if, for less than an hour and a half, you can suspend reality enough to watch through the eyes of a child. You will find yourself in a world where animals (both animated and real) cannot only talk, but join together to provide an entertaining time for us all. Overall, a cute and family friendly film.

Rated: PG for some off-color elements
Runtime: 80 Min.

Cast: Jennifer Love Hewitt, Breckin Meyer, Billy Connolly, Roger Rees
Vioce Cast: Bill Murray, Tim Curry, Bob Hoskins, Jane Leeves, Jane Horrocks, Rhys Ifans

JAN'S "REEL TALK" RATING: 3 out of 5 Stars