Cats and Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore

“Cats and Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore,” the PG rated sequel to the 2001 “Cats and Dogs” original, targets kids with its talking pets, cool gadgets and a decently written premise. Not a cartoon, but, rather, a feature film positioning dogs, cats, birds, mice and other furry friends as the leads, with people used as a backdrop, at 82 minutes, manages to entertain both children and grown-ups.

Written by Ron J. Friedman and Steve Bencich (“Chicken Little” and “Open Season”), with original “Cats and Dog” characters developed by John Requa and Glenn Ficarra, and directed by Bray Peyton (“What It’s Like to Be Alone”), the movie stands on its own, primarily due to an A-list cast of actors.

Diggs (James Mardsen, “Death at a Funeral”), Nick Nolte, Christina Applegate, Katt Williams (“The Boondocks”), Bette Midler, Neil Patrick Harris, Sean Hayes, Wallace Shawn (“Inconceivable” Vizzini, “The Princess Bride”), Joe Pantoliano, Michael Clarke Duncan and Paul Rodriguez all lend their voiceover talent. And, as the namesake villain cat, Bette Midler, in her full-exaggerated glory, gives great credence to Kitty Galore, who is on a mission to do damage to dogs and humans all over the world.

Diggs and his fellow pet posse have to stop Kitty before it’s too late. Rounding out the cast as real life characters are Jack McBrayer (“30 Rock”), as magician Chuck, Chris O’Donnel as Shane, the police offer who works with Diggs until the dog gets into more trouble and is sent to the kennel, Fred Armisen (“Saturday Night Live”) as Fridrich and Kiernan Shipka (“Mad Men”) as the Little Girl, who happens to be the only human who hears the animals speak English.

Kitty’s makers, clever enough to understand that kids will pull parents into the theaters to watch this silly story, have cleverly integrated numerous film references throughout “Kitty Galore,” beginning with the opening James Bond like credits. As a sultry voice sings a cover of Pinks “Get This Party Started,” interplaying graphics and visuals remind one of every Bond film opener. Additionally, given that Roger Moore provides voice and that there’s a character named Paws, as well as the quintessential gadget man, not to mention the title character of the film, a reference to “Pussy Galore,” there’s no mistaking the inspiration for this movie.

Paying closer attention, more subtle and, sometimes, obvious, references are sprinkled throughout the movie to films such as “Rocky,” “Transformers,” “Silence of the Lambs,” “The Rock,” “Poseidon Adventure,” “Scarface” and, even perhaps, “Pulp Fiction” (One of the main dog characters is named Butch). While “Hot Tub Time Machine” mastered this “movie within a movie” game very cleverly for another generation, “Kitty Galore” does a decent job as well. Thus, parents craving content more suitable for their generation don’t feel completely empty sitting through another summer movie catered for young minds.

DIRECTOR: Brad Peyton SCREENWRITERS: Ron J. Friedman, Steve Bencich PRODUCERS: Brent O’Connor, Polly Johnsen CAST: Bette Midler, James Marsden, Nick Nolte, Christina Applegate  MPAA RATING: PG