Story
This is the second movie in the Cats and Dogs series. It continues the story of several canine and feline secret agents. This time around, head spy dog Lou (voice of Neil Patrick Harris) and offsider Butch (Nick Nolte) seek the help of ex-police dog Diggs (James Marsden) and pigeon informant Seamus. They’re trying to track down the arch villain Kitty Galore (Bette Midler). Also searching for Kitty are cat operatives Catherine (Christina Applegate) and Tab Lazenby (Roger Moore), from the feline spy organisation MEOWS. An ex-member of MEOWS, Kitty has turned rogue following a devastating accident.
As both groups try to find Kitty, the full extent of her evil plans is revealed. It soon becomes clear that time is running out. The dogs and cats realise that their only hope of thwarting Kitty is by joining forces and working together. This decision results in the development of some very unlikely friendships.
Themes
Separation from a loved one; loneliness; isolation; revenge
Violence
This movie contains repeated physical violence. For example:
- Diggs bites an unidentified kidnapper who is dressed as a clown.
- Diggs threatens to kills Seamus the pigeon with a hammer.
- Diggs grabs Seamus in his mouth.
- Diggs threatens several unidentified cats who work for Kitty Galore.
- Diggs throws a block of wood at the head of an unidentified fair-ground worker, knocking him unconscious.
- An unidentified cat agent prepares to fire a tank cannon at Diggs.
- Kitty chains Diggs and Catherine together. She leaves them hanging from the ceiling above a tank of water. As they are lowered towards the tank, it looks like they will both drown.
- Some of Kitty’s feline operatives shoot snaring devices at Butch and Diggs. Then they try to pull the dogs over the side of a large boat and into the sea.
- Kitty threatens to drown Catherine, who has a fear of water.
- Kitty frequently throws, crushes, hits and mistreats her pet mouse, Scrumptious.
- Catherine slaps, hits and kicks other unidentified cats who work for Kitty.
- Several unidentified cats and dogs yell at, threaten, hit, bite and kick each other.
Sexual references
This movie contains some mild sexual references. For example:
- The name ‘Kitty Galore’ is a reference to the sex-kitten character, ‘Pussy Galore’, from James Bond and Austin Powers movies.
- A group of female Afghan dogs walk past Butch and Diggs in a provocative way. Diggs flirtatiously says, ‘Hell-o ladies’.
- Catherine holds up a magazine showing a tomcat in drag. She says that she has always wondered what Garfield would look like in a dress.
Alcohol, drugs and other substances
This movie contains some use of substances. For example, one scene shows a room full of cats who are apparently stoned after drinking catnip.
Nudity and sexual activity
None of concern
Product placement
None of concern
Coarse language
This movie contains some threatening language and several put-downs.
Ideas to discuss with your children
Cats and Dogs 2: The Revenge of Kitty Galore is a fast-paced animated children’s action comedy. Although it is perhaps less entertaining than the original Cats and Dogs, this movie still contains enough depth to appeal to a variety of ages.
The movie’s main messages and values concern the importance of courage, loyalty and teamwork. But you might be disturbed by the way some cats are represented as calculating and evil. Also, the movie shows constant violence among animals.
This movie could give you the chance to talk with your children about real-life issues such as the negative outcomes of fighting. You could compare this with the benefits of learning how to share and work together.