If you think Puss in Boots is the coolest cat, you must watch The Amazing Maurice. You would not only be surprised to see the coolest of cats, but also extremely intelligent rats.

An animated adaptation of the famous novel, The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents by Terry Pratchett, the story revolves around a self-referential cat, who along with some talking rats, extorts money from humans. They simply play the age-old ‘cat and mouse’ game on their own terms and earn a little money for the future.

Set in the 14th century, the cat travels from town to town with its bunch of rats. They feign infestation and rid the town of the ‘rats’ by acquiring the services of the Pied Piper, who is also part of the group. The rats exit at Piper’s tune and the locals end up paying for the good deed, which actually was a fraud. The game is turned upside down when the team is stuck in Furry Bottom; a town with no food, rats or cats.

The script for The Amazing Maurice was penned by the Shrek screenwriter Terry Rossio, whose obsession with fairy tales is quite evident. Based on the famous novel, the film is amazing as the cat who leads the way. Maurice and the young boy Keith who pretends to be the ‘Piper’ are accompanied by Malicia, the talkative daughter of the town’s mayor, and set out to solve the mystery.

Directed by Toby Genkel, who earlier directed The Ogglies (2021) and Little Bird’s Big Adventure (2017), the movie has surely given cinema their most lovable rats since Ratatouille. Actor Hugh Laurie provides the voice for a quippy, streetwise Maurice, Keith is voiced by Himesh Patel while the ensemble cast comprises Emilia Clarke as Malicia, David Tennant as rats’ spiritual leader Dangerous Beans, and Gemma Arterton, Hugh Bonneville as some of the intellectual rodents are equally good. The bad guy is the menacing ‘Rat king’, with magic powers, but the ‘good guys’ manage to outsmart him.

The 93-minute film not only provides the audience with the courage to come out of a situation where all is lost but helps them understand that anything is possible. The characters might take advantage of each other in the film but they are sincere with each other, which is the film’s strongest point.

The climax of the movie also highlights the importance of friendship and reminds us of our own group of friends, who can do anything for each other.

Published in Dawn, Young World, March 11th, 2023