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! Feline Fighters

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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. [Canada] (French) Warner Bros. (Flash only) [France] (French)

Country:

USA Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 July 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

Fighting Like Cats and Dogs

Filming Locations:

Craigdarroch Castle - 1050 Joan Crescent, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$60,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$21,707,617, 8 July 2001, Wide Release

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

Danny DeVito were considered for the role of Peek.

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Goofs

The cats test their formula successfully on Scott. But within minutes, he shows no effects when holding Lou.

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Quotes

Mr. Tinkles: I want you to stay here.
Calico: Why?
Mr. Tinkles: Because I hate you.

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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

What's New Pussycat
Written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David
Performed by Tom Jones
Courtesy of Universal International Music B.V.
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

Great special effects and energy, but a less-than-great story. ** (out of four)

CATS & DOGS / (2001) ** (out of four)

In "Cats & Dogs" you get a cat and mouse chase movie, except the dog replaces the mouse, and the feline's goal is not just to catch the opponent, but to claim world domination.

That's a pretty weak concept for a bid-budget, special effects action film, especially when the production features the best technology has to offer. The movie uses more than 800 visual effects, and 200 animators, designers, compositors, sculptors, and technicians. With so much going for it, "Cats & Dogs" should have utilized these tools to bring a great story to life. It does breathe life into a plot filled with energy and gusto, but it sure isn't great.

Unbeknownst to humans, cats and dogs have always fought for world domination. A power-hungry Persian cat, Mr. Tinkles (wonderfully voiced by Sean Hayes), has broken a truce between the species. He plans to lead an attack against man's best friend.

Jeff Goldblum stars as Professor Brody, a scientist allergic to dogs. He conducts experiments in the basement of his house, hoping to invent a cure for man's allergic reaction to dogs. Mr. Tinkles designates the Brody home as ground zero for his global battle plan.

Initially, the folks at Warner Bros. considered doing the film as an animated feature, but they finally decided on a combination of live action, cutting-edge technology, complicated puppetry, and computer animation.

The results are splendid. Each animal has their own vivid personality, complete with facial expressions and physical gestures. The special effects do not overwhelm the film. Lawrence Guterman, the film's director, doesn't exploit the amazing special effects, but focuses on creating believable animal characters.

Sadly, however, the sight of a talking cat eventually wears off, and that leaves "Cats & Dogs" with little interest. It might entertain children with high energy action and talking animals, but a movie cannot run on those things alone. Perhaps the film could have worked as a comedy, but it lacks any form of wit or impulse. "Cats & Dogs" thinks its concepts are funny and entertaining enough, which is probably why it puts so little thought into the story.