RETREAD `CAT' LOSES ALL 9 LIVES WHEN REMOVED FROM THE '60S.Byline: Amy Dawes Daily News Film Writer It's funny how market forces can both create and defeat the impetus for a movie remake. On the one hand, Disney has a line of pre-sold products in its cheerful, slapstick slapstick Comedy characterized by broad humour, absurd situations, and vigorous, often violent action. It took its name from a paddlelike device, probably introduced by 16th-century commedia dell'arte troupes, that produced a resounding whack when one comic actor used it to 1960s family comedies. On the other hand, times have changed and entertainment has changed. Disney should take a lesson from its experience in France with Euro Disney: Some things just don't translate. The kitschy innocence of the 1965 original ``That Darn Cat'' was rooted in another world; try to marry it to the louder, splashier, more candid and satirical elements of today's movies, and what you get is a lame hybrid. Not that Disney didn't bring a few good elements to the current retooling of ``That Darn Cat.'' The cat, for example, is a natural, and should have had more screen time. A grey and white tabby with a scar across his nose and hair sprouting from his ears, D.C. (played by Elvis, who was rescued from a North Hollywood animal shelter "Dog Pound" redirects here. For the rap group, see Tha Dogg Pound. An animal shelter is a facility that houses homeless, lost or abandoned animals; primarily a large variety of dogs and cats. by trainer Larry Madrid) is an alley cat alley cat n. A homeless or stray cat. Noun 1. alley cat - a homeless cat domestic cat, Felis catus, Felis domesticus, house cat - any domesticated member of the genus Felis in domestic guise with a knack for getting into trouble. The movie is the most fun when D.C. goes out on his nighttime rambles, and the camera gives us a cat's eye Noun 1. cat's eye - any of various gems (as chrysoberyl or chalcedony) that reflect light when cut in a rounded shape opaque gem - a gemstone that is opaque view of a nocturnal world far more colorful than the daytime one. But too much of the movie is taken up with the tedious bumbling of the adult characters, and the little ones young children. See also: Little will be crawling the aisles (while discriminating parents crawl the walls). The not-so-good script by writers S.M. Alexander and L.A. Karaszweski (whose recent credits include ``The People vs. Larry Flynt,'' of all things) updates the the original in various ways. Dean Jones plays a minor role as a rich skinflint whose maid (Rebecca Koon) is kidnapped (it was a bank teller A bank teller is an employee of a bank who deals directly with most customers. In some places this employee is known as a cashier. Tellers are considered a "front line" in the banking business. in the original); Doug E. Doug Doug E. Doug (born January 7 1970) is an American actor and comedian. Doug was born Douglas Bourne in Brooklyn, New York. He attended Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School in Brooklyn. plays the FBI agent that Jones played in '65. The story has D.C. (for Darn Cat) leading the FBI to the kidnap victim after he stumbles across her in his ramblings. Christina Ricci plays the Hayley Mills role, only this time she's a smart, sardonic kid who wears black fingernail fin·ger·nail n. The nail on a finger. polish and hates everything about her small town except her cat. Ricci is very good in the role, but it's not enough to rescue the movie. Director Bob Spiers tries hard to pump up the action, but the added baggage, including explosions and car chases, just seems to overwhelm the thin plot. It all seems forced, charmless and noisy - the dispiriting dis·pir·it tr.v. dis·pir·it·ed, dis·pir·it·ing, dis·pir·its To lower in or deprive of spirit; dishearten. See Synonyms at discourage. [di(s)- + spirit.] Adj. sound of people trying to remake something that already had its day. THE FACTS The film: ``That Darn Cat'' (PG; mild thematic elements). The stars: Christina Ricci, Doug E. Doug, Dean Jones, George Dzundza. Behind the scenes: Directed by Bob Spiers. Screenplay S.M. Alexander & L.A. Karaszeweski, based on the novel ``Undercover Cat,'' by the Gordons, and the screenplay by the Gordons and Bill Walsh. Running time: One hour, 29 minutes. Playing: Citywide. Our rating: Two Stars. CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: Christina Ricci is the owner of one mischievous tabby in ``That Darn Cat,'' a remake of the '60s Disney classic. |
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