Review of Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore (2010) by Rodney H — 26 Jan 2011

Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore is actually incredibly horrible. I don't remember watching a movie in a long time that actually had me rolling my eyes, sighing, shrugging, cringing, saying "ugh" or "whatever" after every sight-gag or lame joke.

I DID laugh one time when I THOUGHT I heard the following exhange between two muts: "I just cleaned the seats! Please don't $hit!" (after rewinding I discovered the dog said "shed").

I hoped that it had dared "to go there"; but alas ... it didn't. I have absolutely NO aversion to talking animal films as I like Disney and Pixar and absolutely adored Babe and its somewhat sinister sequel.

But this movie is tragic trash. I cannot believe the talented cast that signed-up for it -- Neil Patrick Harris, Nick Nolte, Joe Pantoliano, Alec Baldwin, Christina Applegate and Bette Midler -- to offer their voice-over talents.

Sadly, getting her "big film break" is Mad Men's superb Kiernan Shipka (who has had a few small roles in independent fare such as Carriers) who is way-too-good for this mind-blowing dropping of doo.

Borrowing heavily from James Bond films -- not always winningly -- this film tries for smart but it is rather low-brow. It has an endless parade of worm-jokes, butt-sniffing groans and catnip ho-ha's.

It is cats vs. dogs, cats are mean, cat people are either crazy or old spinsters etc. It is simply not entertaining or enjoyable. Where is my talking sheep-herding pig? Should I hiss at this or just groan?