Summer Cinema: ‘Cats and Dogs’
Have you ever seen a preview for a movie where your first impression is that it looks like the stupidest movie you’ve ever seen? But the more times you see the preview the more intrigued you get by the film? This was the case with last week’s “Cats and Dogs.”
The show was intriguing, a great family film but not worth the $6 ticket price. The shining moments of the film were few and far between and the special effects that make the animals talk do little so save the film’s bland plot.
If you take talking secret agent dogs, a cat bent on world domination and mix in a well-known actor with a really bad goattee, you’ll have “Cats and Dogs.”
The dogs, voiced by among others Tobey Maguire and Alec Baldwin, are protecting Professor Brody (Jeff Goldblum) who is working on a serum to cure all dog allergies. The cats, led by Mr. Tinkles, are attempting to steal the formula and reverse its effect making all humans allergic to dogs.
The film is full of one-liners some of which are funny others which fall flat on their face. I honestly think I was the only one in the theater laughing at all.
Perhaps the funniest and most innoventive part of the film involves the feline ninjas who attack our hero (a beagle named Lou, short for Loser) with “Matrix”-style slow motion shots. Or perhaps its the cute Russian kitten who coughes up killer hair balls and throws knives with killer accuracy.
The film is a fun one for children. Parents may be a bit concerned by the fake violence in the film, but there is little to no profanity and very little objectionable humor.
For adults though there is little entertainment value. Films like “Shrek” appeal to both children (for the animation) and adults (for the witty jokes and Disneyish puns). “Cats and Dogs” has little of either and left this reviewer feeling that is film is not man’s best friend. Instead it left a nasty surprise on the carpet of summer film-making.
Grade: C