REEL CRITIC

“Cats & Dogs” is much funnier than it ought to be. The movie is

reminiscent of the old Warner Bros. Looney Tunes that graced my

ever-deteriorating vision when I was much younger. Coincidentally, “Cats

& Dogs” is produced and distributed by Warner Bros., and the film

recaptures the brilliant lunacy of the cartoonists who inhabited Termite

Terrace.

The premise of “Cats & Dogs” is vaguely similar to that of the “Toy

Story” series: Pets talk and generally conspire when humans are not

watching. Whereas the toys are much more benign in the latter films, the

pets who inhabit this film are all members of secret societies who are

bent on some form of domination.

“Cats & Dogs” reveals that ever since the beginning of time, cats and

dogs have been at war. This is fairly evident in the high place felines

had in the Egyptian culture. However, at some point, cats ceased being

“man’s best friend” and lost out to the mutts. Ever since, the cats have

been trying to recapture their past and rightful glory. But, the cats’

plans are placed in serious jeopardy when an obviously delusional

scientist, Professor Brody (Jeff Goldblum), invents a formula that may

eradicate humanity’s allergies to dogs.

Realizing their predicament, the cats, led by Mr. Tinkles (Sean

Hayes), attempt to sabotage the professor’s research and create their own

formula that would make all humanity allergic to dogs. (Mr. Tinkles bears

an uncanny resemblance to Dr. No’s kitty.)

Opposing Mr. Tinkles’ brilliant scheme is a pack of secret-mutts led

by Lou (Tobey Maguire), Butch (Alec Baldwin) and an assortment of other

ragamuffins (voiced by, among others, Susan Sarandon and Charlton

Heston).

The movie is filled with many comedic moments, including a line by

Butch, who yells (barks?) out “Son of my mom!” Admit it, you laughed. The

movie also serves as an homage to the classic capers of yesterday,

similar to the “Chicken Run” tribute to World War II films. “Cats & Dogs”

brims with references to “Dr. No” and “Dr. Strangelove” (closely examine

the dogs’ underground laboratory).

The film only really has two flaws, and one is not really a flaw but a

preference. As we all know, soft furry kitties are neither bent on world

domination nor capable of such evil as depicted in the film. Dogs are

really the evil ones we should be looking out for (would a cat eat your

sofa?). But, I suppose that this film does push the boundaries of the

suspension of disbelief that accompany any entry into a darkened theater.

The second criticism is more substantive, in that the human

characters, especially Jeff Goldblum’s tired and repetitive act of a

bumbling scientist -- what ever happened to the great Goldblum that was

featured in Cronenberg’s “The Fly”? -- brings the film to a halt.

These criticisms aside, “Cats & Dogs” is a very funny and imaginative

film that should be fun after repeated viewings.

* ROB OROZCO is an attorney with Morris, Polich & Purdy. He lives in

Costa Mesa with his wife and two cats.