Top Cat Begins (2015)

A Disappointing Continuation

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

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)

This Top Cat film is not related to any other production. The film opens with the gang attempting to pull a scam on crime boss Mr. Big. They get caught and have an hour long flashback, starting when Top Cat comes to the city and first meets Benny. TC is scamming people in Mr. Big's territory which doesn't go over too well.It appears Top Cat is very popular in Latin America as this is a Mexican production. The characters are based on "The Phil Silver's Show" and not the Bowery Boys as many contend. Personally I thought Benny was modeled after Lou Costello. The 3D graphics were decent, although the story line didn't grab me and the humor didn't fly. It might have some appeal to your five year old vigilante.

This Mexican made film has little to do with the Hanna Barbera cartoons apart from looking cheap although this one is in CGI.This origins films does actually hark to the original cartoon series origins, which is Sergeant Bilko. Top Cat here is running scams and running rings around Officer Dibble and crossing swords with Mr Big.We then get flashbacks as to how TC met Benny and later the rest of the gang before we see them all tackle Mr Big.For me it is nostalgia if you keep your expectations low, the cartoon will entertain small children, it might keep older kids satisfied with references to pop culture and modern pop songs in the soundtrack.