Its not purr-fect, but it doesn't belong in the litter tray!!! (Cats & Dogs (DVD))

Member Name: ross1979

Product:	Cats & Dogs (DVD)
Date:	07/08/01 (42 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fun, Good Plot

Disadvantages: No subtlety, Aimed at kids

You know its been a poor year at the cinema when you are desperately waiting for a childrens animation about a ridiculous war between talking cats and dogs to be released!!

'Cats and Dogs' surprisingly almost lived up to expectations though. It is wonderfully over-the-top and has a refreshingly simple yet clever plot. Cats and dogs are waging war in the back yards of the world while comparatively stupid human beings know nothing about what their cute furry friends are up to.

The reason for the war is that a scientist, Professor Brody (Jeff Goldblum), has come up with a medication to eliminate allergies to dogs, which would send dog popularity soaring to unheard of heights at the expense of their evil arch rivals the cats.

The cats are lead by a white Persian named Mr. Tinkles (voiced by Sean Hayes of "Will & Grace"), and plan to steal the professor's formula.

A squad of secret agent dogs, led by an Anatolian shepherd named Butch
(Alec Baldwin) is fighting back. They enlist the Brody's new dog, a cute little beagle puppy named Lou (Tobey Maguire) to defend the Brody's home from the evil felines.

The plot works reasonably well, which is probably due in part to the sound efforts which have been made on the technology side of things. Its not perfect (pet expressions are a real challenge) but it makes the grade.

Much like 'Babe', the film is set in a slightly surreal world where beautiful gardens and immaculate houses are populated by housewives in aprons and freshly baked
cherry pies.

But it is a far less subtle than 'babe' and has a lot more action packed scenes. There are also elements of sickly sweetness where the Brody's son Scott (Alexander Pollock) does not accept cute little Lou until halfway through the film, when they bond while knocking around a football.

Elizabeth Perkins does the job of working mum
Mrs. Brody quite well while Goldblum plays the classic distracted but loving dad we know so well from Disney. In general, the voice-over work, including Susan Sarandon as an elegant stray dog and Michael Clarke Duncan as a goofy English sheepdog isexcellent.

Subtle it may not be, but fun is what this film has in abundance. There is little doubt that it is aimed at kids, but there are occasional 'adult' humour moments.

It will also be far more appealing if you are a fan of these animals. I am indifferent but I am sure pet-lovers will enjoy this film a lot more than me, especially those with dogs.

So, if you want an action packed, slendidly silly but of fun and nothing more, give this one a shot!

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