Perhaps enough time has passed since the first Garfield movie to get used to the idea of the lasagna-loving feline as a furry, computer-generated character in an otherwise live-action movie, but something about the sequel, Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties, doesn't seem nearly as obnoxious as the original.

Sure, it's just another paycheck for all involved (they even brought Bill Murray back as Garfield's voice), but the filmmakers have improved on the formula and concocted a clever new premise. Halfway around the world, there lives a pampered British tabby named Prince. He looks like Garfield in every way, but enjoys the high life in Carlyle Castle, which he has just inherited after the passing of his adoring owner.

When Jon Arbuckle (Breckin Meyer) chases his beloved Liz (Jennifer Love Hewitt) all the way to London to propose, Garfield and Odie hitch a ride in his luggage. While the two critters roam the streets of London wreaking havoc (Odie discovers a new way to get the guards outside Buckingham Palace to flinch), the jealous relative next in line to inherit Carlyle Castle (Lemony Snicket's Billy Connolly) throws Prince out into the streets.

With both cats at large, it goes without saying that Garfield is destined to be mistaken for the "cat formerly known as Prince," at which point the movie's amusing "rich cat, poor cat" yarn unspools. If you thought Garfield was spoiled before -- "he likes a belly rub two times each day and -- a pan of lasagna between each meal," Jon instructs -- just wait'll you see how he adapts to a giant mansion stocked with servants.

Garfield (voiced by Bill Murray) and Prince (voiced by Tim Curry) in 20th Century Fox's Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties 2006

Basically, in expanding the playing field to England and widening the cast to include a stable of talking animals, the filmmakers have given Garfield much more to react to, and that, of course, is what this passive pussycat does best. The high caliber of talent lending their voices doesn't hurt, what with Tim Curry playing Prince and Bob Hoskins, Sharon Osbourne, Rhys Ifans and others tackling the barnyard menagerie. It all makes for a relatively painless first hour or so, right up until Garfield's big "let them eat lasagna" scene.

And then the chairs start to squeak as the crowd grows restless. "It's almost over," a mother one row back whispers. "Sit still!" But the fidgeting builds, and just when things were going so well, the audience collectively seems to lose interest in the movie. Kids are talking, getting out of their seats.

On screen, Garfield and Prince have finally met up, and together they've decided to outwit the guy who wants their castle. But no one cares. The witty observations (at least by 4-year-old standards) that started things off have devolved into petty slapstick, and suddenly we're reminded what was so painful about the first Garfield movie. For a moment, we actually got to experience the wry personality that sold millions of books, posters, calendars and tchotchkes, only to be upstaged by Home Alone-style antics as Garfield, the unlikeliest hero ever, comes to the rescue yet again.

And for what? So Jon, who has no spine to speak of, can propose to Liz, who seems pretty lifeless as love interests go? Maybe they'll get it right next time.