CATS & DOGS: THE REVENGE OF KITTY GALORE
(PG)
MOVIE: **1/2 (out of 5)
BLU-RAY EXPERIENCE: **1/2 (out of 5)
BY KEVIN CARR
WHAT IT’S ABOUT
In this sequel to the 2000 hit about super-spy dogs fighting the evil cat cabal, the dastardly and hairless feline Kitty Galore has a plan to turn all of the dogs in the world into man’s worst friend. A gung-ho police dog is recruited into the canine spy ring, and he must join forces with a group of cats to bring down Kitty Galore before she enacts her evil plan.
WHAT I LIKED
As a parent, I have to throw a certain degree of love for films like the “Cats & Dogs” flicks, mainly because they’re something that really connects with kids. Whether they’re fun films like “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” or bland renderings of a better concept like “Underdog,” they still provide the kids with a degree of enjoyment. That’s why I will always have a soft spot for the “Alvin and the Chipmunks” movies. After all, if you haven’t watched one of these talking animal movies with your kids, you really haven’t experienced them.
This film worked better on Blu-ray simply because it was taken out of the 3D mode (which was a post-conversion process that wasn’t top-notch) and because it plays better as a direct-to-video story. It’s got plenty of butt-sniffing jokes and slapstick that will keep the kids interested, and that’s really why you’ll be getting this film.
For the most part, the animal sequences are smooth, blending CGI and live-action stunts together. And while the pigeon character is a bit of a rip-off of a similar joke in “Bolt,” it’s still the funniest thing in the film.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
Each studio has its own slate of talking animal films. Disney has dog movies like the aforementioned “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” and “Underdog.” Fox has the “Alvin and the Chipmunk” movies. Warner Bros. has these “Cats & Dogs” films. They aren’t the best ones out there, but the production value is at least decent.
However, the story is where this movie falls apart from a grown-up’s view. It’s got an overwritten script that seems like it’s been churned out of a weekend screenwriting course. There’s a secret fear for both the main dog and the main cat to overcome. There’s a B-story with the police dog’s owner searching for him (with a phoned-in performance by Chris O’Donnell). And the logic behind the characters’ action is shaky.
Still, it’s a kids movie with dogs and plenty of fart and poop jokes, so no one wanting to see this movie is going to care about any of those problems.
BLU-RAY FEATURES
The Blu-ray comes in a combo pack that includes the DVD of the film for the kids and Digital Copy for portable devices. There’s also several featurettes, including “Dogs Dishing: Tails from the Bark Side of Hollywood,” “Mash-Up: The Best of the Best Cat vs. Dogs Animated Showdowns” from existing Warner Bros. cartoons and “Meow-Takes: Outtakes and Gag Reel” featuring in-character goofs.
Two additional features include a sneak peek at the upcoming “Yogi Bear” movie opening before Christmas and the new Looney Tunes “Coyote Falls” CGI Road-Runner cartoon, which is simply the best thing on the entire disc.
WHO’S GOING TO LIKE THIS MOVIE
Kids who like talking animal movies.