Cats & Dogs

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

First of all, Debney doing this kind of thing is an insult to his capacities as a composer. No way does Debney do this only for simply earning a buck, or perhaps for stretching his limits or simply for having a blast but it remains a kids effort that satisfies your needs for the time while it lasts. The same for the accompanying score that (as expected) mixes spy based music with the occasional fanfare but most with the energized Mickey mouse approach. Each of these movies needs to have this little style, no matter if a proper score could have worked. Anyway what it does for the movie is simple, it at least sets the pace of this film but in any way, it remains such an effort you either love or hate. And the hardest part is actually, what I think of it. It is perhaps one of those scores that suits you but not minutes or seconds later irritates you behind your wildest dreams. I often compared it with Liar Liar (which in whole listened better) and with Jerry Goldsmith's Dennis the Menace (which takes resemblances with the score), so in any case I'll probably give it the quotation those two received.

So, lets start digesting it (you can see that positive or negative). First of all, the spy based music which of course hints the famous Mission: Impossible theme but also the recent Spy Kids music (co composed by whoever than Debney). 'Main Titles' starts with it and basically does nothing wrong, but nothing right either. 'The Neighborhood' more then ever was temp tracked with Dennis the Menace, the light playful nature of the score, the harmonica which gives it some kiddy flair, and the rhythm of Liar Liar which gives it its pace. Basically, you could've expected it yourself. 'Lou the Dreamer' is the same, a nice gentle theme and it simply continues to be this evident. An organ based / violin theme for Mr. Tinkles (whenever you see the name you will encounter it), some Japanese sounding music for the Bruce Lee wannabe cats in track 5 and mostly it either shifts towards the spy based music or the Mickey Mouse flavored style. 'Team Theme / Montage / The Discovery' is one of the better moments, ending the track with a nice fanfare and 'Lou Saves the Day' has in the begin nice, no good heroic music at offer, unfortunately going too fast to the more fast paced music.

'Lou's Alive' is just what you'd expect, a happy joy joy musical moment of Lou's theme and simply that's it. I don't hate this score and merely for the movie it accompanies, there is nothing it does wrong. But do we have to hear John Debney do this, do we need such a name to get what most people already expected? No, and it is regretful he is filling these gaps more than say a rollicking adventure score. Cats & Dogs at those times offers some small moments of Cutthroat Island (track 4), some good heroic moments (track 11) and these make the score at least fun for a while. But still, it is all just plain good for the movie but not so enticing on disc. I gave the same scores it influences the exact quotation and I will do so again for this one, but I feel Cats & Dogs is just plain normal, there is basically one to 2 minutes which are enjoyable and important to remember. Overall, Debney surely didn't disappoint the viewers of the movie but if he can satisfy any person listening to the score is something else. Because only your own personal view and expectation can decide that for you. I'm sorry but I think any Debney fan is agreeing with me when I say "Debney is wasting his time and talent when scoring this type of comedy movie".

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Main Titles (2.41)

2. The Neighborhood (3.10)

3. Lou The Dreamer (1.43)

4. Meet Mr. Tinkles / The Formula (2.03)

5. Kung-Fu Kats (2.28)

6. Meet The Team (1.20)

7. The Russian! (2.53)

8. Team Theme / Montage / The Discovery (4.04)

9. Tinkles Plots / Limo Ride / Flocking Factory (3.42)

10. Blasting To Headquarters (2.22)

11. Lou Saves The Day (3.40)

12. Lou's Alive (2.11)

13. Dress-Up Time For Tinkles (1.30)

Total Length: 33.47

The use of artwork or photos is posted for non profitable reasons

=== Link to Composer Site: John Debney ===