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LowComDom Performances Presents
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LowComDom Performances Presents
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Film Review - Cats & Dogs
One of the staples of cinema is the "boy and his dog" story. The classic example of the genre is the long series of Lassie movies. Cats & Dogs is a "boy and his dog" movie, but it leans more toward the dog.
The dog is this case is Lou, a Beagle puppy who accidently becomes involved in thwarting a cat's sinister plan to take over the world. Lou just wants to play with his boy, but he also really wants to be a secret agent.
The mad man ...er Cat behind this fiendish plot is Mr. Tinkles, a white feline, reminiscent of Dr. No's pet. Mr. Tinkles is would be the perfect Bond villain if he was just human. Ruthless, single-minded, and yet still a coward; everything a villain should be.
The film is a "cold war" story of the secret war between dogs and cats. Cats are evil, and dogs are man's best friend. The animals speak in the same manner they did in Babe. The animals are also more sophisticated than humans. They have rocket sleds, secret headquarters, advanced communications, snausages, etc.
This boy and his dog - spy thriller, makes for a very funny movie. This is a "Family Film" which usually means parents check your intellect at the door. However, the humor in Cats & Dogs is what I call layered. This means when the child next to you is laughing at a joke, you're laughing too, but for a completely different reason the child won't understand for a few more decades. In fact, at times I was the only person laughing at the over the heads of the kids jokes.
For a film whose stars are animals, Cats & Dogs has better character development than most of the "human" films I've seen this year. This is a film that when it becomes part of your video collection, and your kid wants to see it everyday, you won't be contemplating suicide.
Here's a winner. Go see it.
Film Facts
Directed by Lawrence Guterman
Released in 2001
MPAA Rating: PG
Reviewed by Mongo
