Cats & Dogs (2001)

A look at the top-secret, high-tech espionage war going on between cats and dogs, of which their human owners are blissfully unaware.

Director:

Lawrence Guterman

Writers:

John Requa, Glenn Ficarra

Stars:

Alec Baldwin, Tobey Maguire, Jeff Goldblum

2 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jeff Goldblum	...	Professor Brody
Elizabeth Perkins	...	Mrs. Brody
Alexander Pollock	...	Scotty Brody
Miriam Margolyes	...	Sophie the Castle Maid
Myron Natwick	...	Mr. Mason
Doris Chillcott	...	Mrs. Calvert
Kirsten Robek	...	Pie Mom
Frank C. Turner	...	The Farmer
Mar Andersons	...	Guard at Factory Gate
Gillian Barber	...	Factory Receptionist
Carol Ann Susi	...	Sophie's Sister
Randi Kaplan	...	Sophie's Sister
Mary Bogue	...	Sophie's Sister
Alvin Sanders	...	Mason Employee
Mark Schooley	...	Mason Employee

Storyline

A secret war between cats and dogs quickly peaks as Professor Brody a scientist tries to create a serum to cure dog allergies in humans. As the unsuspecting humans go through their busy lives, the cats make several attempts to possess the formula, as their canine foes try tirelessly to stop them. Caught in the crossfire, a young beagle named Lou, adopted by the Brody family, tries hard to succeed as a secret agent, and in being a friend to the young Scotty Brody. A evil snow white cat named Mr. Tinkles is planning to sabotage the efforts of Professor Brody to discover a cure for human allergies to dogs. And he'll even make every person on Earth allergic to dogs so that he can take over the world with his army of evil cats!

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Plot Keywords:

ticklish | warner bros. | dog | cat | allergy | 

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Taglines:

Cats Rule! Dogs Rule! The Fur Will Fly

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Genres:

Action | Comedy | Family | Fantasy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for animal action and humor

Details

Official Sites:

Warner Bros. [United States]

Country:

USA Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 July 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

Fighting Like Cats and Dogs

Filming Locations:

Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$60,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$21,707,617, 8 July 2001

Gross USA:

$93,385,515

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$200,687,492

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., Village Roadshow Pictures, NPV Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Rip Torn were considered for the role of Sam.

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Goofs

When the dog agents are trying to break into Professor Brody's Lab, the camera shot changes to the dog's point of view. He explains that he doesn't know which wire to cut (as all of his vision is in black and white), but dogs do not see in black and white - their only visual impairment is that they see in the same way as a human with color blindness.

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Quotes

Mr. Tinkles: That is all... cats rule.

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Alternate Versions

German version was released to cinemas with a "Not under 12" rating. A few days after its release the film was edited by the distributor to remove some violence (for a younger and larger audience) and was re-submitted to the German ratings board (FSK) which gave the cut version a "Not under 6" rating. This version was also used for the DVD & video release. The uncut version is currently not available in Germany.

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Connections

References Manhunter (1986)

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Soundtracks

Rocky and the Circus
from Chicken Run (2000)
Written by John Powell and Harry Gregson-Williams
[actually composed by Harry Gregson-Williams and John Powell]
Courtesy of Dreamworks L.L.C.

User Reviews

It's good for the kids - that's all that matters...

I personally thought Cats and Dogs was really good. The espionage war between the cats and the dogs was an inspired, if not so original idea, and the fight scenes were hugely amusing - the ninja cats had me in stitches, to say the least. The way Mr. Tinkles suddenly finds a way to make his plan succeed is a little rushed - how did the fainting of his owner suddenly change everything? There are several plot holes in this film, and a little more explanation wouldn't have done harm. But this film didn't try to be intelligent or gripping - it's basically the Cold War with pets for most of the film, but with a climactic finish in which everything is suddenly resolved and all the baddies are ruined. Even if it is not a corkingly intelligent piece of cinema, it sure is an amusing one, and it isn't badly done either. In fact, the climactic finish is brilliantly done and very amusing - machine guns are replaced by spraying machines, and bombs are replaced by spraying machines too (you'll see what I mean). It stays funny throughout, and it is amusing to see how all of the espionage happens behind all the humans' backs. Even if it does make human beings out to be a bunch of idiots who could quite easily be invaded by animals, this is still a great film which will tickle anyone's funnybone (unless you're a cruel, heartless critic of course...) 7/10