Cats & Dogs (2001)
Lawrence Guterman
USA
87 mins, color, English
Ever since dogs helped humans overthrow their feline overlords in Ancient Egypt, they have been man's best friend. (What, they did not teach you that in World History? Talk about lapse of educational standards and human ingratitude!) Cats are understandably resentful but it isn't until the EVIL Mr. Tinkles (voice of Sean Hayes) that they can hatch the supreme plot to overthrow the dogs and enslave the humans again. The idea is to prevent Professor Brody (Jeff Goldblum) from completing his research that would eliminate allergies to dogs and to make humans allergic to dogs but not cats. Since the professor's family is closely guarded by an special (dog) agent, the film opens with said agent's catnapping.
CATS & DOGS then delves deep into the high-tech dog underworld, where there are enough toys, computers, and gadgets to make Q (or his MISSION IMPOSSIBLE analogue weep with envy). When the dogs organize a team for the surveillance of the Brody residence, the cats make several attempts to carry out their sabotage. The two funniest episodes occur when cat ninjas wearing night-vision goggles parachute into the perimeter and bug the house, and when the Russian is sent to blow up the laboratory. Also, the part where the cats draft all mice to work for them is hilarious. Needless to say, the intrepid dogs foil that evil scheme.
This film is so uproariously funny, I felt somewhat embarrassed around all those kids that were watching it. The animation and special effects are very good, much superior to the recent CGI extravaganza in TOMB RAIDER, mainly because they are unobtrusive. Try telling when you see real animals, when you see animatronics, and when you see computer-generated combinations. The camerawork is also very good, the film being shot as a standard spy flick, which only adds to the enjoyment. With the voices of Alec Baldwin, Tobey Maguire, and Susan Sarandon, CATS & DOGS can't go wrong.
Definitely a kid's film that is for grownups to see as well. I am looking forward to DR. DOLITTLE 2, which also appears to be better than the original. You know your summer hasn't been full until you see an evil cat overlord splattered all over a window or until ninja cats walk on the ceiling of your room.
July 8, 2001. BLS