The previous recent 'Top Cat' film was never destined to be a classic, but felt well-intentioned enough to the original show, and had some nice moments. When I heard there was to be another I expected more of the same.

Unfortunately they not only go down the CGI route for the animation, but also oddly make this a prequel to the original series.

It's not terrible, the voice cast do a decent job, but this film never really worked for me.

Last year I reviewed a movie I got from Red Box , "Rock Dog". A movie I really liked and feel was underappreciated.

Last weekend I found "Top Cat Begins" there too. Sorry to say I can't praise it as highly. Although, I'll be a bit kinder with my rating and review.

I too watched Top Cat reruns as a kid and so yes, nostalgia played in here, but also I had a discount 'online' coupon for a choice of film...making my total cost to see this just over 50 cents. *Thankfully* .

The pro's : Top Cat himself is played pretty much the same as on the original series, Benny also funny and easily taken in by TC. Some funny jokes and a few sight gags that made me laugh. I'll let you watch (if you do) and decide if they're funny also. It could just be me, but I also found a few touching moments too.

The Cons : Unnecessary and unfunny violence. A cop named Lopez jumps out a window of the police station to his doom. (??!) Officer Dibble's elderly (mother/aunt/grandma??) goes 'Rambo' on the bad guys with guns, a tank and even a distantly seen and heard bomb. Our resident bad guy 'Mr. Big' (gee...what an original bad guy name : NOT!) having his henchmen toss otehrs into a supposedly 'bottomless' pit. So, uh, this "IS" a kids/family film ..right? Could have fooled me.

Lastly, why not have the whole Top cat gang in the entire movie working together, instead of an hour plus flashback. When they came back from it, I'd almost forgotten there 'was' a flashback. They really didn't need that either. Also, the rest of the gang,dibble and other characters are weakly written and despite their presence, don't add much to this until the end.

So why am I giving it 6 out of 10 stars? Strictly for the positives , $1 being (you guessed it) nostalgia. The CGI is good too but I'd advise you to seek out the 1960s cartoon series and other previously made Top Cat films.

I like this well enough but for everyone else, watch this first, if only to get it out of the way before watching what can only be much better material. (END)

Awful CGI, lousy script, no laughs, nothing. I can't understand why anyone would choose to watch this. My 7 year old and 4 year old seemed enthralled by it, which is worrying and slightly concerning.