The animation wasn't bad, although incredibly cheap as they used greenscreen shots of Fritz dancing as filler. However, the 1972 Fritz the Cat film was crude and racist because it was making a statement on society at the time, as well as the hippie lifestyle. This new sequel, made two years later, is crude and racist just for the hell of it. It certainly doesn't seem to be reflecting any time period of society, although, if Fritz' new obese wife had a cell phone and lived in a trailer, it could easily pass off as reflecting the jogging pants wearing, Wal-Mart, texting trailer trash people of today.There were some scenes that made absolutely no sense at all, and the only scene I thought was remotely funny was the one where Fritz and the businessman in the space helmet are in the truck. Even the soundtrack was better in the original. Duke doesn't even have the same sounding voice as he did in the first one.I wouldn't recommend this film, just stick with the first one, you're probably better off not seeing this.

It does have its problems, but I liked it, and I do think there are worse sequels out there. I enjoyed Fritz the Cat and was all for a sequel, and I got a pretty good film. The story structure is episodic and there are moments that I would deem strange, but along the way I noticed some improvements as well. While I loved the unique look of Fritz the Cat, the animation here is really good here as well, even more colourful and vibrant than before. Plus the pacing I felt was much more secure first time around. The script is witty and funny, the soundtrack is hip and cool, the voice acting is good and Fritz still has both his hypocrisy and likability. Some of the supporting characters aren't as likable, and don't get enough screen time to shine though. Still, it is a pretty good film. 7/10 Bethany Cox

I woke up at a strange time and was flipping channels. I found NINE LIVES OF FRITZ THE CAT on the Showtime FAMILY channel. Anyone who reads this, please go to www.sho.com to complain. I'm no prude, but to imagine a 5 year old tuning into this is horrible.Anyway, I only watched 5 or 10 minutes of this film. The animation is good for it's era, but the comedy & satire is worn and dated. Here's what the first few scenes entailed. A "big mama" cat with huge boobs is yelling at a stoned Fritz cat, telling him he's good for nothing, goes out all night looking for love, and she doesn't know why, 'cause he's bad in bed. Then we flash over to Fritz walking down the street, grabbing his crotch, lets out a fart and offends Juan, the stereotypical Hispanic Cat. Juan won't talk to Fritz because Fritz farted in his area. Fritz makes a lame comment about why doesn't Juan speak English so he can understand him? They talk about Fritz's plight to cash his welfare check. A few seconds later we see some black "thug" cats outside Fritz's house, talking about robbing this house in 'this' (white?) neighborhood. Fritz is sitting on the couch (yes, he's back home now, I guess? Flashback to earlier years?) about to light up a joint, and he's staring at his little sister's kitty butt. He's trying to get her high so he can "get with her." She smokes some, and we get a psychedelic menagerie of images that tries to be creative, but really, someone needs to take some lessons from "The Wall"'s animators. It was a stupid sequence. Flashback to the big mama cat yelling at Fritz again. Now that I read a few other reviews, I suppose the the whole time Fritz is supposed to be listening to big mama yelling at him, but zoning out to these different places while she's yelling.Anyway, my description of this is probably as funny as the cartoon itself. I didn't waste anymore of my time, I don't recommend you waste your time either.

If you know me at all, you'll know that I was not a fan of Ralph Bakshi's FRITZ THE CAT. So imagine my horror when I found out there was a sequel! Well, I had to be dragged kicking and screaming to see THE NINE LIVES OF FRITZ THE CAT. By some stroke of good luck or divine intervention, it happens to be better than the original.The film, made without Bakshi's involvement, (who was knee deep in the controversy stemming from COONSKIN) begins by finding our hero in a slum, living on welfare with a wife and child. The wife is pretty abusive (although she does have a point-you'll understand when you see the film. Fritz smokes pot to escape and imagines himself in nine other lives (hence the title)It's actually a pretty good film. The film is less raunchy and vulgar than the first, but I know some people out there will still be offended. The film is a scathing look at society in the 70's and doesn't have the dated feel the first did. Drugs and street language are present, but it's used much more successfully hereThere is one sequence that is some kind of masterpiece. A white military leader and a black militant are perched on two opposing mountains and they take turns attacking one another. Live action footage and stills run in the background. In just five minutes, they've managed to convey exactly what the racial unrest of the 70s was. There are some flaws. The film doesn't have a very satisfying ending and the score is a little too upbeat for a film laden with such stinging social commentary. But I applaud THE NINE LIVES OF FRITZ THE CAT for taking chances; it could have been more of the same, but instead strives to be better. It's not a perfect film, but it's a good one.*** out of four stars