The Nine Kittens of Christmas

The Nine Kittens of Christmas

Haven't seen 'The Nine Lives of Christmas' for some time, but do remember liking it a lot and considering it one of the better Hallmark Christmas films that year. Although Hallmark really do vary when it comes to their sequels, it is always a little more promising when the same leads and cast return in the sequel which helps give continuity. Which is what 'The Nine Kittens of Christmas' does. Also saw it as someone who likes Kimberly Sustad, both as a lead and supporting actress. While not as good as before, 'The Nine Kittens of Christmas', once you get past the off putting beginning that makes one unsure of whether to continue, turned out to be a worthy sequel and a quite decent film in its own right. Sustad and kitten fans will be in heaven and it is interesting seeing how much Brandon Routh has matured as an actor. 2021 was very hit and miss with its Christmas output and 'The Nine Kittens of Christmas' is one of the high middle ones in my view. 'The Nine Kittens of Christmas' isn't perfect. Wasn't overly impressed by the start, after such a beautiful ending in the previous film it is agreed that the circumstances set at the beginning rather undid it and it was like it didn't happen. It did make me think is this going to be another sequel that messes around with continuity in a mean spirited way. Did also find Zach less likeable as a character here, here he seemed too passive and his indifference to the emotion spilling out from Marilee towards the end was something of a turn off. Will agree too that the advent calendar subplot was not necessary at all in the story and felt like padding, especially when very little is done with it. On the other hand, Sustad is truly charming and heartfelt throughout and apart from at the end (which was a character writing thing at a guess) Routh looks more comfortable here. Their chemistry is as fresh and sweet as it was before and it was like the seven year gap had not happened. Gregory Harrison is distinguished support. The kittens are absolutely adorable and hug-worthy, though the film just about avoids sugar overload territory (which could easily have happened when reading the synopsis). Production values are slick and attractive and the music isn't sickly or melodramatic. The dialogue doesn't come over as cheesy or schmaltzy and has a nice light hearted tone. Despite starting off unsure, the story is immensely charming and heart-warming. Really loved the development of the sister relationship, which was beautifully done and very relatable. The ending did move, namely because of Sustad, if not as much as that of the first. Most of the characters are written well and are worth caring about, the only reservation being with Zach. In summary, worthy and a decent watch. 7/10.

Love the kitties. This movie had several things going for it. #1 Kittens and cats #2 No "Royal" storyline and #3 None of the overused trio, Candace, Danica and Lacey. Really liked this actress.

Absolutely loved the first Nine Lives movie. This one has completely ruined the first one for me. While I love the actors and animals in this one, what is with Marilee being with a different boyfriend in a whole other town? Completely dismantles the love story of the first movie. While I was extremely excited to anticipate the second when I heard it was coming out, I was equally disappointed with the second from the opening scenes. Trying to watch the first one again as I write this, can't enjoy it anymore. Don't do sequels if this is the best you can do.

People complain of Hallmark's lack of originality, then complain when a sequel throws a curve ball. In this sequel, instead of finding Zach and Maralee planning their wedding (like every Hallmark sequel) we find that Maralee chose to complete her vet residency (not change vet schools as several others mentioned) across the country after Zach exhibits a bout of cold feet when she pushes for more in their relationship and he "doesn't want to mess up what they have". In real life, this would not be an atypical response for someone like Zach who watched his parents' disaster of a marriage. Real life is fraught with fear and mistakes, and Zach makes what he later calls the biggest mistake of his life by letting Maralee go and not going after her. This is actually where the plot of a lot Hallmark movies pick up - AFTER a couple that has sworn their undying love for each other has broken up over one of them leaving to for a school/job then suddenly find themselves thrown together for Christmas. Viewers just aren't invested in the old relationship because they didn't witness it and can flow with the magic of the renewed relationship. That said, I loved watching Zach and Marilee reconnecting over 9 abandoned kittens, each pretending it was just for the sake of finding the kittens homes. In a way, the roles are reversed . In the first movie, Zach was the unattainable ladies' man that Marilee had a crush on and whose heart she finally wins. In this one, Maralee is the successfully business owner, confident and sure of herself, and Zach is the one who, having messed up before, has to show her he's changed and work to win her back. Their first onscreen kiss is passionate and uninhibited, and you feel the heat of two people who know deep down that the love is still most definitely there. And then there's the kittens, Ambrose (adorable as ever) and Maralee's new cat, Duchess. Zach and Maralee still talk to their kitties and the cats still play a part in bringing them together. I thought the movie was great and found it refreshing to see a little bit of a shakeup in the plot.

I'm so happy for this sequel. Hoping to get a number 3!! The returning characters and adorable kittens helped to make this worth watching. The two leads have so much chemistry.

I was so excited to finally see a sequel to one of the best Hallmark movies!! Even better they brought back all of the original characters, Brandon, Kimberley and Gregory (all my favorites in this and other movies) plus they brought back most of the supporting cast. And...the Paul Campbell cameo was perfection!!! What I didn't love was how the writers undid the entire ending of the first movie by breaking Zach and Marilee up, moving her literally across the country and throwing her in another relationship only to undo all of that in 15 minutes. I actually appreciated the new boyfriend breakup but I hated that it meant most of the movie Zach and Marilee are having to navigate their feelings and rebuild their entire relationship. Sigh. Don't get me wrong, the chemistry is still there but it takes the first hour to get us back to the couple we waited so long to see. Also...how did Marilee's sister Jaclyn go from 4 dogs in Nine Lives to no pets and an 8/9 year old? That said, I loved how they developed Marilee and her sisters relationship. This time Jaclyn really steps up with great advice throughout. My favorite line was when she tells Marilee "just because someone doesn't like change, doesn't mean they not capable of it". Loved the father/son relationship of Captain Sam and Zach and of course loved seeing Marilee and Zach finally come back together. Marilee has grow in her own confidence in that she initiated every kiss in the movie, except one, you go girl! But love that she and Zach were still awkwardly bantering to themselves and their cats. There's a lot to love, especially the ending! I think the writes left the door open for the 3rd movie, fingers crossed.

This is the worst Hallmark movie ever. From the bitchy spoiled girlfriend who simply tosses her boyfriend's cat out of the house because she thinks they are too much work, to a nasty looking landlady who just lets herself into Sustad's apartment without notice and then tosses her cat into the back room. And what did any of this have to do with Christmas? Hallmark use to promote being kind and caring to animals, and to adopt animals and treat them well. This movie teaches people the exact opposite. It teaches people that animals do not matter. And if you do not like them, just toss them out to the street. Sustad has had a lot of bad luck with Hallmark movies in the past 2 years. She use to be in a supporting role, and now that she has finally landed the lead female role in a few movies, they are terrible. Note to Sustad - read the script before you say yes, because badly written movies just make you look dumb.