The only big takeaway from Nine Lives is that director Sonnenfeld has actually managed to outdo the awfulness of Wild Wild West in a spectacular fashion. Had this film advertised and released with the likes of Sharknado it would have been hailed as a classic of Z grade movie-making, but presented as a summer comedy it’s more turgid than entertaining.

The movie was made for some light-hearted fun and entertainment, and it gives you just that. Do not go expecting some mind-blowing performance or out-of-this-world action. Just play along with the kitty!

As a dog person, I feel life is too short to be wasted on a catastrophe such as Nine Lives (and one puzzles over why Spacey made this choice). You might as well watch the Youtube home videos of cat tricks instead.

Barry Sonnenfeld’s Nine Lives is catnip for followers of such twenty-first century personages as Maru and Lil Bub, and perhaps only the most ardent feline fans will find Tom Brand’s adventures, funny, insightful, or even halfway engaging.