Given that 'The Nine Lives of Christmas' is a Hallmark fan favorite, and I did enjoy the movie myself, I naturally was looking forward to seeing this new installment, knowing full well that sequels rarely meet fans' expectations. So, how was it, you ask? This Christmas movie (for cat lovers) checks all the boxes for, what I like to call, a classic Hallmark movie: a warm and cute story with a decent script, strong performances all around, and plenty of Christmas spirit and festive cheer (arguably, it's more Christmassy than the first). That said, though enjoyable, 'The Nine Kittens of Christmas' had less of an impression on me than the first, I'm afraid. Our protagonists in this sequel are again Marilee (played by Kimberley Sustad) and Zachary (played by Brandon Routh). Marilee, who has finished veterinary school and started her own practice since we saw her last, takes some time off to visit her family this Christmas. Zachary, who has been coming into his own at the firehouse, is looking forward to a ski trip this Christmas. His plans, however, change when he finds a box of abandoned kittens. Shortly thereafter, Marilee and Zachary are thrown back together, and then, join forces to search for new homes for the kittens, who are named after Santa's reindeer, of course. And so, our story begins as we watch these two begin to reconnect and rediscover their love for each other. Unlike some viewers, I didn't mind the unexpected shift in the plot at the start or the backstories that set this up. I thought the writers did a decent job of capturing much of the dynamics between Marilee and Zachary from the first film. Moreover, the dialogue and interaction between the two were strong. There were a few noticeable shortcomings, however. The writers could have done a better job of developing Routh's character (Zachary), especially regarding his lack of confidence (in relationships). I enjoyed the bonding between Marilee and Jaclyn (played by Stephanie Bennett); it is clear the writers were keen to develop this. Unfortunately, the inclusion of the advent story seemed forced. There was potential here that was never really developed, I thought. The acting, overall, was strong, and the chemistry between Sustad and Routh was good (believable). Sustad, in particular, had a brilliant performance. It pulled me in. For example, you could feel her struggling with her feelings for Zachary on-screen. Routh had a strong performance, though he could have given us a bit more emotion (and passion) at times. The supporting cast was excellent, and it was great seeing them on-screen together again. And then there are the kittens (aka Santa's reindeer), Ambrose, and Duchess (Marilee's new cat). Very adorable performances all around. The scenes where Zachary and Marilee talk to Ambrose and Duchess are fun to watch. Really enjoyed them. All in all, 'The Nine Kittens of Christmas' is a warm, cute, and fun movie. Maybe not as good as the first, but entertaining nonetheless. A nice new edition to Hallmark's 2021 Christmas movie line-up.
