2001 was the year of Shrek, which I’ve previously covered with a Moonlit Critbit to celebrate its 25th anniversary. But there was more than just Shrek released in 2001 that I’m familiar with. A series that is celebrating 25 years in 2026. But also one that’s not as mainstream. That series being Cats & Dogs. A series which has only seen three releases across its 25 years.

I’m not entirely sure when I first watched the first film. There’s a feeling that it could have been a Christmas present, but I couldn’t say what year. All I know is that I enjoyed it on a first viewing. With its spy theming, a battle between cats and dogs, and the focus on relationships it held. A very fun time can be had with Cats & Dogs, starting from the very off. With a very Tom & Jerry-style battle between a cat and a dog.

That dog gets captured, bringing forth another dog agent to report it. Butch and the other agents are a fun cast of dogs to be spending time with. Though Butch gets the spotlight as he mentors Lou – the new dog the Brody family adopt. Through Lou’s eyes, we see the agents at work, keeping the world safe from feline threats as he now navigates having to do the same. To protect his new family and the research that is ongoing to cure dog allergies.

The Brody family is slowly drifting apart. The dad and professor, played brilliantly by Jeff Goldblum, is too focused on his research of the allergy to spend time with his wife and son. Missing out on events that Scotty is a part of. And while Scotty is reluctant at first to warm to Lou, wanting their previous dog back, Lou wins him over. Much to the annoyance of Butch, who feels the hurt from being abandoned by his own family.

On the side of the cats is Mr. Tinkles, a schemer who wants to use that research for his own ends. Various schemes fail, including using ninja-trained cats and ‘the Russian’ to either capture or destroy the research. As he schemes, he has to contend with the maid of his comatose owner butting in. Until he gets fed up enough to reveal he can talk in a very fun scene. Another fun reveal happens with Mr. Tinkles and the Brody family when he captures them. Exploiting the bond they have with Lou to get the formula.

And so the final battle happens at the Christmas Tree factory, where the formula has been turned into a disease rather than a cure. Set to spread the allergy across the world using mice. It’s a fun culmination of all it has built towards, including the heartfelt reveal that Lou can speak to humans too when it looks like he has been killed in the battle. And though the leaders feel his actions are enough to fast-track Lou to being a full agent, he turns it down, wanting to stay with his family.

It is a film that stands on its own. And could easily have just remained as a singular film. Instead, a second film arrives almost ten years later. That I originally watched during its theatrical run when it released at the height of 3D cinema in 2010. The Revenge of Kitty Galore certainly felt designed as a showcase of what 3D cinema could deliver. Including its very Bond-esque opening titles complete with a cover of Get The Party Started by Shirley Bassey.

Much like the first film, The Revenge of Kitty Galore has a strong sense of relationships to its theming. Police dog Diggs and his partner Shane love each other very much, but look to be separated as Diggs is just too much of a burden. Having set off an explosion the force were trying to prevent. Despite this, Lou – now head of the DOG agency, wants to recruit him. And so it again falls to Butch to mentor a recruit.

Relationships play a part in why the self-named Kitty Galore wants to exact revenge on all humans, along with both cats and dogs. An outcast from not only the MEOWS agency, but her family as well, she wants to build a weapon that will drive cats and dogs to madness. Leaving the humans with no faithful furry companions. Of course, Kitty also has to deal with a human, a circus performer who took her in when no-one else would.

There’s a lot of fun action with this one. It’s also nice to see cats on the side of good, with both cats and dogs working together to stop Kitty Galore. And a pigeon. Yup, on the chase for clues, Seamus the pigeon is recruited to the cause, since he has information on the plans of Kitty Galore. He just can’t remember them. Seamus is a great source of the comedy, especially with his own reveal to a human kid he can talk.

The Revenge of Kitty Galore is another great end, paying off with the various threads it weaves. The action is at its best here, with a fun sequence on top of the weapon. The reunion of Diggs and Shane after all is done plays out nicely. With it being fun throughout how Shane just misses finding Diggs multiple times on his search. The very end back at DOG HQ also set up what could have been a perfect sequel.

Instead… Ten years pass. Absolutely nothing is heard about a third film until a trailer drops randomly during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. A trailer that really didn’t do anything for me. It felt cheap, with little of the passion that the other two held. Feeling like it was trying too hard for its comedy, while also lacking in action. And had absolutely no connection to what had come before other than the truce between cats and dogs still being a thing.

The trailer put me off for so long that I’ve only recently given it a watch. And… it’s better than that trailer made it seem. Sure, all the faults of that trailer are within the full film. But underneath the cheap feel, trying too hard for comedy, lack of action and no connection to the previous films (aside from name dropping the villains), there’s a big theme of relationships still here. That ties into the villain’s reasoning for his actions more than with Kitty Galore. And there’s a nice bit of redemption, too.

Though I’m saying it’s better than the trailer made it seem, Paws Unite is also a far cry from the greatness of the first two. I’d much rather rewatch those two, and have done many times. With Paws Unite, it does feel the franchise has said its last. It was made on the cheap, and apparently didn’t even make its budget back. But I do know that I’m still willing to give the series a chance should a fourth ever be made.

Images Taken From:
Cats & Dogs (2001) – Photos | IMDb
Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore (2010) – Photos | IMDb
Cats & Dogs 3: Paws Unite (Video 2020) – Photos | IMDb