The Amazing Maurice (2022)

The Amazing Maurice is an adaptation of The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, a children's book by the late, great Terry Pratchett. Like most of his books, the setting is Discworld. Maurice is a talking cat, and with his friend Keith (a piper player) and a bunch of (talking) smart rats, they run a regular scam: they go from town to town; the rats make a scene and appear to be a problem; Keith shows up and plays his pipe, luring the rats away; Maurice collects coins from the townsfolk. None of this is spoiling the story; it's all at the beginning.

But then they get to a town where things are different, and our clever, engrossing story ensues.

This is a funny animated movie, which shouldn't surprise fans of Terry Pratchett. The man was almost incapable of writing anything that wasn't funny. The movie doesn't exactly follow the book but it's quite close. It was made during the COVID pandemic, but still managed to get done on time and budget. This should appeal to audiences of about age 10 and up. The cast is impressive, with Hugh Laurie, Emilia Clarke, David Tennant and David Thewlis, among others. I found it enjoyable, but Terry Pratchett is my favorite writer, so maybe I'm prejudiced. Recommended for the family or for those who enjoy watching a movie with herbal enhancement.