Film Reviews

Cats and Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore

• Rating:
• Director: Brad Peyton
• Starring: (Voices of) James Marsden, Nick Nolte, Christina Applegate, Katt Williams, Bette Midler, Neil Patrick Harris
• Details: US/82mins G

A sequel to a moderate kiddie hit that arrives when those that were taken to see the original are more likely to spend their pocket money on Twilight tickets, this cheap feeling cash-in lacks the charm of its predecessor. The filmmakers expect you to be so in awe of the cute puppies, you won't notice them stealing the extra cash for the 3D experience out of your pocket. That might work for the length of a toilet paper commercial, but in a kiddie-flick world now beset with quality and wit - thanks mainly to the folk at Pixar - this lame sequel won't make it out of the pound. We've known for a long time that cats and dogs are not the biggest fans of each other; here, they're also secret agents, who partake in covert warfare and operations whenever the humans aren't around. Naturally, the cats are the bad guys; one in particular, titular villain Kitty Galore, has a dastardly plan to take over the world, by using a signal that only dogs can hear that will drive them mental. But some heroic canines, led by brave but dim German Sheppard Tripp, plan on foiling her plans. While there are jokes here designed to amuse older members of the audience, they're not delivered with any sort of panache, and thus feel like an afterthought for those who paid attention long enough to get them. I know what you're thinking; this is a kid's movie, designed for the younger ones, and so I should give it a break. Well, Cats and Dogs: The Revenge of Pussy Galore will be an expensive day out at the cinema - especially in 3D. If you're looking to distract the kids for a couple of hours, there are simply cheaper and better ways to do that. The effects are pretty terrible, the script far from funny, and the talking animals about as lifelike as hastily assembled sock-puppets. If it's adorable talking dogs you're after, rewatch Up and avoid this drivel. Your kids will thank you some day.

Review by Mike Sheridan