Favourite films about talking animals

We can cry at blue aliens, wow at Spider-Man web-slinging his way through the air and we'll soon be able to marvel at a very young-looking Jeff Bridges in the 'Tron' sequel. Aren't special effects great?

But there's one thing those technical bods can do that can surely never be surpassed and that's make an animal talk. Yep, whether it's for comic effect, to add some dramatic depth or to give Michael J. Fox some work, we can't get enough of our chatty creatures.

So, it's time to high-five those special effects guys and, with 'Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore' out in cinemas now, take a look at the best live action films featuring articulate animals.

'The Three Amigos'

Martin Short, Chevy Chase and Steve Martin all at their peak. Throw in a campfire sing-along sequence, featuring the bizarre appearance of singing horses and a talking turtle, and you have comedy brilliance.

One of the stand-out scenes in a movie packed full of them.

'Stuart Little'

'Stuart Little' is cute wholesome fun, aided by fine voice casting from both Michael J. Fox as the titular character and Nathan Lane as Snowbell.

It might be hard to believe now but there was a time when the phrase 'written by M. Night Shyamalan' was a selling point. His script, bolstered by excellent effects, has made this something of a holiday fave.

Fox also voiced Chance in 1993's charming 'Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey'.

'Cats & Dogs'

While the film never quite lived up to its ingenious premise — cats and dogs have been locked in a battle since Ancient Egypt — it still has some great moments. Namely those including ninja cats and Mr Tinkles, a James Bond-esque villain voiced with fiendish enjoyment by 'Will and Grace's Sean Hayes.

'Road to Morocco'

Seen as one of the best films in the Bing Crosby and Bob Hope 'Road' series, you not only get their playful banter but you're also treated to a talking camel, which dispenses with the priceless remark, 'This is the screwiest picture I've ever been in'.

'Men in Black II'

Almost as important to the series as Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones, Frank the Pug is the only real reason to watch the second 'MIB' film. His brief but memorable appearance in the first movie allowed him far more screen time in the sequel. Who would have thought a dog singing in a car would be so enjoyable?

'Babe'

As far as we know, 'Babe' is the only Oscar-nominated talking pig movie out there! Little wonder as it's as charming as they come.

Voiced by Christine Cavanaugh, the pig that wants to be a sheepdog is one of the pluckiest heroes ever.

And who can forget James Cromwell's unforgettable line at the end: "That'll do pig, that'll do."

'Babe', making grown men weep since 1995.

'Howard the Duck'

Pah to the critics! Widely considered one of the worst films of all time, 'Howard the Duck' — which focuses on a talking alien duck who arrives on planet Earth — is something of a curio item. That is, of course, as long as you've always been curious as to what a 4ft man in a duck costume would look like, and whether he would have any chance with 'Back to the Future's Lea Thompson.

Oddly enjoyable all the same.

'Joe's Apartment'

Not as wholesome as the talking animals in 'Stuart Little' or 'Babe', but we still love the cockroaches in the weirdly brilliant 'Joe's Apartment'.

Based on an MTV short, the film is just an excuse to see a bunch of singing, dancing and wisecracking cockroaches, voiced by the likes of 'Futurama's Billy West and Dave Chappelle.

We think this a good thing.

'George of the Jungle'

Not a great film really, but one thing the bosses of this cartoon-to-big-screen adaptation got absolutely right was casting John Cleese as the talking ape butler.

The tea-sipping, newspaper-reading primate is a delight every time he's on screen. Just a shame then that the film focuses more on Brendan Fraser instead.