I’ve never really seen (no pun intended) the “Mr. Magoo” cartoons and I went into this movie with low expectations because most people apparently hate it but guess what? It isn’t awful… actually it’s kind-of funny.

Leslie Nielsen (“Airplane!”, “Forbidden Planet”) stars as the visually-impaired buffoon Mr. Magoo as he unknowingly becomes involved in a theft of a precious jewel from the fictional state of Kuristan. Mr. Magoo becomes a suspect as he’s pursued by two incompetent agents (Stephen Tobolowsky “Groundhog Day”, Ernie Hudson “Ghostbusters”). Will Magoo be able to prove himself innocent and will Magoo’s son (Matt Keeslar “Scream 3”) win the heart of the lovely Stacey Sampanahoditra (Jennifer Garner “Juno”).

Leslie Nielsen proves why he’s such a talented slapstick comedian in some hilarious stunts such as one in which he walks onto a paddle steamer and another in which he starts moving a chicken around to the commands of a fitness instructor. The moronic agents pursuing Magoo are quite amusing. Matt Keeslar is just about acceptable as Magoo’s son. Jennifer Garner is good as Stacey but it feels like she should have more screen time. By far the most disappointing character is one of the film’s villains, who is played by Malcolm McDowell (“Star Trek: Generations”), who gets to do next to nothing. You have to love Magoo’s dog that helps him out throughout the movie.

Many that have seen “Mr. Magoo” (or merely heard about it) will probably find it hard to take my praise of the movie seriously so maybe I’m wrong and this is just a guilty pleasure. I think if you actually give this film a chance then you’ll enjoy it as I think there are numerous amusing slapstick moments. The opening and closing scenes and done in the style of the cartoons and the animation looks great. Many critics have pointed out that the film ends with a disclaimer, it informs us about how the film is not meant to accurately portray any real blind people and I agree with most that it amusingly unnecessary.