Cats & Dogs MPAA Rating: PG Entertainment: +3 Content: +2

Unknown to humans, a secret war has been waged for centuries by their pets. Professor Brody (Jeff Goldblum) is on the brink of discovering a cure for people allergic to dogs. When the Brodys canine companion is catnapped, the dogs send in their best Doberman agents for replacement. Unfortunately, Mrs. Brody picks up Lou (voiced by Tobey McGuire), an untrained Beagle puppy. The pup becomes the target of Mr. Tinkles (Sean Hayes), the evil cat leader who wants to stop the Professors work. But under the watchful eyes of neighborhood dog commander Butch (Alec Baldwin) and his crew, Lou trains to be a top dog agent. Slapstick battles abound as the cats send in Siamese Ninjas and Russian Blues to steal the formula from under the dogs noses. But when Mr. Tinkles kidnaps the Brodys and plans to reverse the allergy formula, even mans best friend may have trouble saving the day. If the world is divided into cat lovers and dog people, CATS & DOGS is definitely made for dog people. This comical, canine/feline caper will remind older viewers of Warner Brothers animated features, and younger viewers will laugh at the animals as high-tech spies.

Using hieroglyphics from ancient Egypt for support, the story imagines the world was once ruled by cats who were worshipped as gods. But dogs overthrew the cats and established man as world ruler. While this works as fantasy humor and dog can be spelled backwards, some young viewers may need reinforcement of the Biblical order. But the human actors are mostly props in this comedy-adventure. To keep their superiority secret from man, the dogs and cats quickly switch from plans and schemes to more domestic activity. This includes dogs watering fire hydrants or sniffing one another inappropriately for human society. One cat frames Lou by dropping puppy excrement on the carpet. And after a fierce battle, the dogs even send in a clean-up crew to restore a house from the damage. Slapstick violence includes comical martial arts fights between the animals, but an animals implied death may upset small children. One mild obscenity for excrement is heard as well. But with advance warning, DOGS & CATS can be a fun outing for ages 5 and up.

Preview Reviewer: Paul Bicking
Distributor: Warner Bros., 4000 Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA 91522