Felines vs canines

Onkar Joshi

Leave your brain aside and put on your rubber boots, for though Cats & Dogs has all the ingredients of a family entertainer, it ends up pleasing only the kids. And how!

The battle has been raging forever, as Peek the Chinese techno-geek (Joe Pantoliano) tells us.

This time, the conflict has reached its nadir, as Mr Tinkles (Sean Hayes), the power-mad Persian and leader of a massive feline movement against man's best friend connives to rid humanity of dogs. Professor Brody (Jeff Goldblum) is developing a vaccine against human allergies to dogs, but Mr Tinkles has other ideas.

Beagle puppy Lou (Tobey Maguire) is mistaken for a crack canine recruit and is sent to the Brody home as a replacement.

Lou suddenly finds himself in the midst of things, as he faces rejection from Scott (Alexander Pollock), the professor's son, and scorn from the neighbourhood undercover dog, Butch (Alec Baldwin).

Next, Lou joins the gang and vows to protect his master at all costs. He receives training in crack canine tactics by Sam, a shaggy sheepdog (Michael Clarke Duncan), Butch and Peek.

A master plan by Tinkles that involves mice getting sprayed with chemicals that will make all humans allergic to dogs. With a combination of live animals, puppets and digital wizardry to make a goulash that brings this zany plot to life, the special effects are sure to delight the kids and adults alike.

You might wonder how the dogs afford to build rocket ships, and how the cats can afford a plane to drop paratroopers from, but like I said, leave your brains at the door, and have a good guffaw with the kids.

The animals take the centre stage as Professor Brody and his wife (Elizabeth Perkins) fade into the background. The film-makers make it clear outright that the movie is not about humans.

The humour is not as sophisticated as Shrek and has more of practical jokes with dogs slinging cats off trees et al.

The special effects are decent and the fight sequences are engaging as the dogs take on an all-out warfare with the nefarious felines.

Cats & Dogs is for kids. One could term it as the Matrix or Mission Impossible of the animal kingdom. The kids are sure to love it. As for the parents, it is bound to insult your intelligence.

The real heroes are the cats with the ambition and the dogs with the heart who make the movie a must watch for anyone who ever had a pet.

Cats & Dogs may not be as endearing as Babe, but it is silly harmless fun for the kids. Not recommended for cat lovers though!