Skip to main content

10 Lives (2024)

10 Lives Extended Movie Poster

Plot Summary: Beckett, a spoiled and selfish housecat, takes his nine lives for granted. After recklessly losing his final life, he is granted ten more—but with a catch.

Director: Chris Jenkins
Producers: Karen Wengrod, Ken Cinnamon, Ash Brannon, Ernesto Matamoros, Leland Cox
Screenplay: Chris Jenkins, Karen Wengrod, Ken Cinnamon

Starring:
Mo Gilligan as Beckett
Simone Ashley as Rose Ashley
Sophie Okonedo as Grace
Zayn Malik as Kirk and Cameron
Dylan Llewellyn as Larry Llewellyn
Jeremy Swift as Happy
Bill Nighy as Professor Richard Craven

 Freddy's Movie Review
***SPOILER ALERT***

Nine Lives Too Many

Saturday afternoon with 10 Lives, directed by Christopher Jenkins. Jenkins has been in animation since at least 1988, starting as an effects animator on Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Now he brings us this 2024 film about Beckett, a selfish cat who loses his last life and is about to be sent straight to hell. But surprise! Instead, he gets nine more chances to do something good. The catch? He won’t be a cat anymore. Each time he dies, he reincarnates as a different animal. At first, this was fun—watching him cycle through his lives kept me engaged for a while. But by life five or so, I started checking the time. The movie just doesn’t have enough charm or originality to keep things fresh.


Not-So-Purrfect Storytelling

The plot isn’t a total mess, but it lacks something to make it stand out. It’s not particularly clever, nor does it tug at the heartstrings in any meaningful way. Beckett himself is saved by Mo Gilligan’s voice acting, which adds some much-needed personality, but the rest of the characters? Forgettable. It all feels like a knockoff Pixar movie, with animation that looks fine but doesn’t have a unique style. The dialogue is bland, the jokes are predictable, and don’t get me started on the music—commercial pop songs that add nothing. That said, my 7-year-old loved it, so maybe I’m just too old and grumpy for this one.


Nine Lives, Zero Consequences

One of my biggest gripes? The way the whole reincarnation thing plays out. Beckett burns through 18 lives total, but in the end, he just comes back as a baby cat like nothing happened. It makes death feel as casual as hitting the reset button on a video game. No stakes, no emotional weight—just a way to stretch out the runtime. The villain, a greedy director trying to kill off real bees to sell mechanical ones, was actually one of the more interesting ideas in the movie, but the execution was just okay. At the end of the day, this is a passable family flick, but I wouldn’t watch it again. If you want a cat movie with real artistic value, go watch Flow (2024) instead.


🎥 Cinematography (7/10):

The animation is fine but lacks uniqueness.

📖 Story (4/10):

Predictable, uninspired, and missing emotional weight.

🎬 Direction (5/10):

Competent but nothing special. Feels like a generic kids' movie.

👥 Characters (3/10):

Beckett has some personality thanks to Mo Gilligan, but the rest are forgettable.

💥 Visual Effects (7/10):

The animation is decent, but it doesn’t stand out.

🎭 Acting (3/10):

Again, Mo Gilligan adds life to Beckett, but no one else shines.

💬 Dialogue (4/10):

Lacks wit, originality, and memorable moments.

🌍 Setting/Atmosphere (4/10):

A mix of fun concepts but nothing visually striking.

🎵 Music (3/10):

Functional orchestral and annoying commercial pop songs with no impact.

😄 Entertainment Value (5/10):

Okay for kids, but dull for adults. Wouldn't rewatch.

Final Score: 45/100
Our blog is currently being updated regularly!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Flow (2024)

Plot Summary: A stray cat navigates a post-apocalyptic flood, forming unexpected bonds with other animals as they struggle to survive in an ever-changing world. Without dialogue or anthropomorphism, the film delivers an emotional journey of resilience and adaptation. Director: Gints Zilbalodis Producer: Matīss Kaža, Gints Zilbalodis, Ron Dyens, Gregory Zalcman Screenplay: Gints Zilbalodis, Matīss Kaža Starring: No voice cast (dialogue-free film)   ***SPOILER ALERT*** A Video Game or a Movie? And we’re back! Still haven’t finished my Frank Oz filmography (only two movies to go!), but hey, when do I even have time to watch movies alone anymore? So, here we are again with another animated feature. This time, it’s Flow by Latvian director Gints Zilbalodis, a film that has racked up awards and was entirely made using Blender. At first, I was worried. The opening scene ...

The Score (2001)

Plot Summary: Nick Wells, a veteran safe-cracker ready to retire and settle with his girlfriend Diane, is pulled into one last heist by his fence Max. Partnered with ambitious thief Jack Teller, they aim to steal a priceless French scepter from the Montreal Customs House, facing tension, trust issues, and betrayal. Director: Frank Oz Producers: Gary Foster, Lee Rich Screenplay: Kario Salem (story and screenplay), Daniel E. Taylor (story), Lem Dobbs, Scott Marshall Smith Starring: Robert De Niro as  Nick Wells Edward Norton as Jack Teller/Brian Marlon Brando as Max,  Angela Bassett as Diane   ***SPOILER ALERT*** A Heist Worth the Hype Finally got around to continuing my Frank Oz film journey, and tonight’s pick was The Score. A two-hour-and-forty-minute heist flick that I had been saving for when I had some serious s...

Muppet Guys Talking (2017)

Plot Summary: *Muppet Guys Talking* is a delightful and intimate documentary where legendary Muppet performers come together to share behind-the-scenes stories, their creative process, and heartfelt memories of working with Jim Henson. Directed by Frank Oz, this candid conversation between the original Muppet team offers humor, nostalgia, and a deep appreciation for the art of puppetry and storytelling. Director: Frank Oz Producers: Victoria Labalme, Frank Oz Cast: Frank Oz as Himself Jerry Nelson as Himself Fran Brill as Herself Bill Barretta as Himself Dave Goelz as Himself   Sesame Street and My Childhood Escape To wrap up Frank Oz’s filmography, what better way than with the ultra-casual, heartwarming documentary Muppet Guys Talking? Now, I’ve mentioned before that I was never a hardcore Muppets fan, but Sesame Street? That was a different stor...

Robot Dreams (2023)

Plot Summary: In 1980s NYC, a lonely dog buys a robot for companionship. After an accident separates them, both embark on journeys of longing, growth, and self-discovery, leading to an emotional conclusion. Director: Pablo Berger Producer: Arcadia Motion Pictures, Noodles Production, Les Films du Worso Screenplay: Pablo Berger (based on the graphic novel by Sara Varon) Starring: No voice cast (dialogue-free film)   ***SPOILER ALERT*** A Robot, A Dog, and a Lot of Feelings Another Sunday, another animated movie—this time, the critically acclaimed Robot Dreams, an adaptation of the book by Sara Varon. Right off the bat, this animation stands out with its slick flat-color style and complete lack of dialogue. It creates a beautifully detailed world where there’s always something to miss on the first watch. Set in a vibrant 1980s New York City populated by hundreds of ...

The Wild Robot (2024)

Plot Summary: After a shipwreck leaves her stranded on a remote island, a robot named Roz must learn to survive in the wild. As she adapts to her new environment, Roz befriends the local wildlife and becomes the caretaker of an orphaned gosling, discovering the meaning of family, survival, and identity. Director: Chris Sanders Producer: DreamWorks Animation Screenplay: Chris Sanders, Peter Brown Starring: Lupita Nyong'o as Roz Pedro Pascal as Fink Kit Connor as Brightbill Bill Nighy as Longneck Stephanie Hsu as Vontra Matt Berry as Paddler Catherine O'Hara as Pinktail Ving Rhames as Thunderbolt   ***SPOILER ALERT*** A Wild Ride with The Wild Robot Today we crash on the couch to watch The Wild Robot, DreamWorks’ adaptation of Peter Brown’s 2016 novel, the first in a trilogy. Hype levels were high after seeing all the gl...