Cats and Dogs (2001)

I hope you’re in the mood for two separate takes on Cats and Dogs, because that’s what you’re going to get. My girlfriend, Marie, is crazy about this film and she insisted on writing her own review, which follows mine. 

Synopsis: Loveable fur balls defeat a depraved super-genius and his sophisticated plan to rule humanity…oh wait, that’s the Synopsis for Return of the Jedi. 

Blurb From the DVD Jacket: “They’re cunning. They’re stealthy. They’re waging a top-secret ultra-high-tech struggle for global domination right under our noses. They’re…. Cats and Dogs!”

What Did I Learn?: 1) Apparently, cats don’t have the medical science skills to determine why some humans are allergic to dogs, but that are able to take that research and weaponize it within an hour! 2) Cats are evi… oh, who am I kidding? Cats are adorable!! [Seriously, as a cat lover, I have to wonder why writers John Requa and Glenn Ficarra chose not to include at least one sympathetic feline character. Didn’t they miss an opportunity to talk to children about prejudice in a non-heavy handed way?]

You Might Like This Movie If: you're in the mood to watch cats and dogs interact with technology. 

Really?: See: “What did I Learn?” #1. Ok, seriously… Cats and Dogs is a kids movie, so I can laugh off the idea of a cat who is able to speak perfect English, or a secret, multi-millennia-long high-tech war between the title critters, but I had a problem with the third act, when the cat army kidnaps Jeff Goldblum’s family and threatens to murder them. That seemed wildly incongruous in a family-friendly film that otherwise doesn’t take itself too seriously. 2) Wait, the dogs have Calico (John Lovitz) in their possession after he delivers Mr. Tinkle’s ransom demands and they apparently just let him go? They don’t even tail him [no pun intended!] to the cat headquarters? 

Rating: Cats and Dogs is a cute little adventure for the younger set, but it doesn’t work very well as a comedy for adults because it isn’t all that funny and it lacks the sweetness of similar films such as the Toy Story franchise. Cats and Dogs is difficult to dislike because it doesn’t take itself too seriously until the last 20 minutes or so when the tone of the story becomes a lot darker and we’re suddenly supposed to take these bumbling villains seriously (see: “Really? #1). 6.5/10 stars. 

Marie's Take: 

Synopsis: A secret agent is assigned to oppose his society’s greatest enemy, only to find that his social attitudes are glaringly out of place... oh wait, that's the Synopsis for Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery. 

Blurb From IMDB.com: "A look at the top-secret, high-tech espionage war going on between cats and dogs, of which their human owners are blissfully unaware.”

What Did I Learn?: CATS ARE EVIL! DOGS RULE! 'Nuff said.

You Might Like This Movie If: You’re ok knowing there aren’t any original ideas in Hollywood anymore.

Really?: 1)  Mr. Tinkles and his motley crew are capable of kidnapping Professor Brody and his family but his housekeeper is somehow a greater nemesis and the bane of his existence when she dresses him up in adorable pet costumes. 2) I was hoping Calico might become the Cats and Dogs version of Maltz from Star Trek III: The Search for Spock and emerge as a lovable informant for the dogs so naturally I was disappointed to see him inexplicably return to the cats' lair.

Rating: Cats and Dogs is both a documentary-style examination of feline-canine interactions and a classic tale of good vs. evil (see "What did I learn?"). But seriously,  I agree with my better-half that the latter 20 minutes of the movie deviates from all the fun, not-so-serious fluff and becomes driven by a predictable good conquers evil plot.  Cats and Dogs is approximately 1½ hours of cuteness overloaded entertainment for children and um...children of all ages. I give it a 7/10 stars.

Final word:  Eli, let's get a dog!

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0239395/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0