I really love this movie, even though it has several plot holes big enough to drive the proverbial Mack truck through. Disclaimer: Grumpy Cat was my favorite celebrity cat, so I was already predisposed to love the movie.
The movie starts with Grumpy's commentary on Christmas and how much she hates it. The only Christmas song she enjoys is "I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas" but it doesn't take long for her to get tired of that song. Every time the door of the pet store where she resides opens, the other animals all start thinking (via Grumpy, we can hear their thoughts) "Customer! Customer!" Grumpy, having been sold and returned twice, doesn't share their enthusiasm.
Then we meet 12-year-old Crystal, the main human character. (Grumpy is the star of the movie, as her name is in the title.) She volunteers at the pet store and knows just about every store owner in the mall and greets them all on her way to work.
The secondary plot is about a man who works as one of Santa's elves and is interested in Crystal's divorced mother. Crystal joins them as he's trying to convince her mother to come to the Mall's employee Christmas party.
"Mom, just say yes. He's been asking you out for weeks."
"Only if you go, too."
Crystal looks at the elf and finally agrees to go, even though it's obvious it's the last thing she wants to do.
Meanwhile, the new manager of the Mall is hassling the pet store owner about his past due rent. The store owner assures him the rent will be paid in full soon, as he has acquired Jojo, a dog worth one million dollars. At a press conference, he demonstrates the abilities of the dog.
While at the Christmas party, Crystal hears Grumpy Cat asking her to come to the Mall. She sneaks out and rides her bike to the Mall. She goes to the pet store to talk to Grumpy. She learns that Jojo has been stolen, which threatens the existence of the pet store. She and Grumpy set out to investigate.
Two wanna-be rock stars are the culprits. In a sporting goods store, Crystal shots them with a paint ball gun. Jojo gets bored and leaves the would-be thieves behind. They panic and try to find the million-dollar dog.
Crystal heads to the security office, where George, the security guard, is attached to his chair with duct tape. She frees him and he tells her two guys tied him up and stole his phone. He, Crystal and Grumpy go off in pursuit of the would-be thieves. His phone suddenly goes off. The security guard was the mastermind behind the theft. Crystal grabs his phone and takes off with Grumpy.
Crystal calls her mom at the party.
"Mom, you need to call the police!"
Crystal and Grumpy get in a promo car and drive off in pursuit of the trio of would-be thieves. Before much damage can be done, Crystal's mom and the elf arrive along with the police. Jojo is recovered, the thieves are arrested, and all's well that ends well.
On Christmas Day, her mother gives her Grumpy Cat.
"Grumpy, this is the best Christmas ever!"
"Didn't you read the title of my movie?"
Now for some of the plot holes. The pet store owner shows off his million-dollar-dog at the Mall, but when leaving the store, he doesn't bother securing the valuable dog who will save his store. The would-be dog nappers don't seem to have thought out how to pull it off. Using George's phone, Crystal asks her mom to call the police. Why couldn't she call the police herself?
I love this movie, However, I need to watch it when my husband isn't home, as he hates it.
6.5 out of 10.
