I have to say right off the bat ... I have always been a sucker for movies about talking dogs. Seriously, it's true. Who doesn't like a talking dog movie? While "Cats & Dogs: The Revenge Of Kitty Galore" is not the best family film of all-time, I did feel like the films message was coming from a good place and I found the film mostly amusing. What works best is the film's concept and tone, it's basically "Men in Black" meets James Bond but with animals ... and it works. Children will definitely enjoy this film and while parents may begin to loose interest part way through, there are several funny moments for adults to enjoy.

The movie features an excellent cast of voice actors including James Marsden, Christina Applegate, Neil Patrick Harris, Katt Williams and Nick Nolte. But it is legendary entertainer Bette Midler's performance in the title role as Kitty Galore that steals the film. She plays the character as a feline Bond villain and you can hear the fun that she is having in her voice. In a very funny live-action role is Jack McBrayer from "30 Rock" as a circus magician and owner of Kitty Galore. Also in the film is Chris O'Donnell who is adequate as the human police partner of K-9 cop Diggs the dog (James Marsden) and bridging the original film with this one is the recurring character of the evil Mr. Tinkles (Sean Hayes), who adds a certain "Hannibal Lector" vibe to the film.

The movie begins by introducing us to Chris O'Donnell's police officer and his canine partner Diggs, who is known for acting first and thinking second. When Diggs jeopardizes a rescue he is put in a kennel much to the dismay of his partner who is forced to carry on his police duties without him. But what no one knows is that Diggs has just been recruited into a secret organization called Dogs HQ Spy Force, which takes the motto "man's best friend" very seriously. Butch (Nick Nolte) is a senior agent with the organization and is in charge of training his new partner Diggs and shaping him into more of a team player. As Diggs learns about the HQ Spy Force he discovers that there is more to being a good dog than just protecting your owner.

When the terrorist Kitty Galore, a hairless Sphinx cat brilliantly voiced by Bette Midler declares war on the world, humans and animals alike, it is up to the canine spy force to stop her. But they won't be able to do it alone as the dogs are forced to work with their mortal enemies ... cats. Their feline super-spy counterparts, an organization called MEOW send their best agent, Catherine, voiced by Christina Applegate to aid the team. Along with a whacky bird voiced by comedian Katt Williams, Diggs and his friends must work together to stop Kitty Galore before she is able to unleash a frequency that will turn dogs into rabid creatures, which will leave them no longer as man's best friend. Also aiding our heroes is the evil Mr. Tinkles (Sean Hayes), who has been incarcerated "Silence Of The Lambs" style since the first film and has his own score to settle with Galore.

The true message of the film is what I think is really great here for kids, the idea of putting your differences aside and working together with your adversaries for a common goal. It's this message that makes the film so strong for children. While the animals are entertaining and the humor of the film is good this movie isn't going to be winning any awards any time soon but it is a decent film for children with a warm message. Look the bottom line is the animals are cute and they talk ... this isn't Shakespeare folks but it is a fun film for the whole family. In the end, "Cats & Dogs: The Revenge Of Kitty Galore" is for a specific audience but as far as kids films go, I've seen a lot worse. At least the movie is clever, funny, and original and presents a good moral lesson for our children.

Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore is out July 28, 2010.