Review by Dan Taylor
On
the surface it seems like your typical spy
movie meets fish out of water tale: a professor
on the brink of a potentially groundbreaking
discovery needs protection, and a secret
spy organization sends in an agent to protect
him. Only the agent isn't an official agent,
he's ended up on the assignment due to a
case of mistaken identity. But, with the
help of seasoned pros he's able to protect
the professor and save the planet from the
nefarious villain bent on world destruction.
Remember, I said "on
the surface".
Because what sets CATS &
DOGS apart from the other spy and espionage
films littering the landscape is the fact
that our young hero is a beagle puppy, the
seasoned pros are various other breeds living
in neighborhood yards, and the nefarious
villain is a delightfully evil Persian kitty
named Mr. Tinkles.
While the studios have been
busy trying to force their hand-picked "blockbusters"
down our throats (see PEARL HARBOR, AI:
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE), films like SHREK
and CATS & DOGS have quietly established
themselves as legit hits thanks to their
appeal to kids and adults alike. In fact,
these are two of the best flicks of the
year thanks to their ability to turn a genre
convention on its ears.
But let's give credit where
credit's due. CATS & DOGS wouldn't be
nearly as enjoyable an experience without
the vocal talents of Sean Hayes (Jack from
tv's 'Will & Grace') as Mr. Tinkles,
the fluffy kitty bent on world domination.
It's an inspired bit of cinematic brilliance
on the same level as Mini-Me from THE
SPY WHO SHAGGED ME.
