There is a Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals the SPCA. Why isn't there a group that protects moviegoers from films like Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore? Something like: The Don't Underestimate Moviegoer Brainpower Society or DUMBS.
No thumbs down to movies anymore it's DUMBS down.
Cartoon cats and dogs can talk. It works. Real dogs and cats ought not. Ever. These days CGI and huge improvements in animatronics have made it look like animals actually can talk or drive a car or work a computer. There is something rather creepy and unnatural about live-action animals behaving like humans.
Live animals talking worked for Francis the Talking Mule and Mr. Ed decades ago. It was obviously fake. So obvious that it worked. They talked. They were funny. Maybe that's what's wrong with films like Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore. You didn't believe the mule and horse were really talking, but at least the scripts packed enough humor to give you a few laughs.
Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore is the sequel to the 2001 dare we say? hit. It is littered with careful kitties and gonzo dogs trying to stop Kitty Galore from setting off a beam from a satellite that will drive dogs crazy. Dogs going bonkers will force humans to jail them all and cats will rule the world.
Secret agent cats and dogs must stop her.
Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore mixes live humans with live animals and CGI and rips off characters and names from James Bond flicks, The Silence of the Lambs and Men in Black. This is supposed to make adults think the material is clever. With better writing maybe. Cats & Dogs won't get adults wagging their tails.
Tossed a funny bone or two, littler kids - forced to endure all that Cartoon Network crap - will find the film a refreshing change of pace.
And, to give Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore some credit, it is better than this year's Furry Vengeance.
But that's not saying much because it is the DUMBSest animal movie of all time.
What makes Cats & Dogs almost worth the price is the new 3D version of a Roadrunner cartoon. And if you choose to sit through this one, pay the extra couple of bucks and see the 3D version because of this short.
Wile E. Coyote bungie jumps from a bridge to catch the roadrunner. He - of course - comes up short. The rubber-band-like bungie cord is a natural for disaster. No ups and downs here. The 10-minute feature is packed with laughs and is a reminder that when done right, an animated feature can be funny from the opening jump to Porky Pig's legendary sign off: "Th ... th ... th ... that's all folks!"
Rated PG for some mature themes. It opens Friday, July 30, at the Carmike 12 and at the Fairchild Cinemas 12.
Mr. Movie rating: 2 stars
5 stars/4 1/2 stars: Must see on the big screen.
4 stars / 3 1/2 stars: Good film, see it if it's your type of movie.
3 stars / 2 1/2 stars: Wait until it comes out on DVD.
2 stars / 1 star: Don't bother.
0 stars: Speaks for itself.
