'Chihuahua' a lot of yappy puppy pap

Starring Piper Perabo, Jamie Lee Curtis and the voices of Drew Barrymore, George Lopez and Andy Garcia. Directed by Raja Gosnell. Rated PG (for some mild thematic elements). At metro theaters. 1 hour, 29 minutes.

Bottom line: A too-chatty, too-plot driven chew toy.

For some reason, Yo quiero Taco Bell.

Those savvy market research readers at Disney have discovered that kids love Chihuahuas, especially talking ones. Thus, they decreed that "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" take one of the bug-eyed rats on an "Incredible Journey," from a chic life in Beverly Hills, Calif., to the dog fights of Mexico.

Drew Barrymore provides the winsome voice of Chloe, the pampered pooch of a makeup mogul (Jamie Lee Curtis). She has her pick of outfits, which she wears to the pool, the doggie day spa, out to dinner. She barely notices the landscaper's pup, Papi (George Lopez), who stops digging holes and rolling in filth long enough to swoon over Chloe, "mi corazon."

Chloe is put into the hands of irresponsible dog-sitter Rachel (Piper Perabo), who drags her to Baja, where Chloe's pricey collar and pedigree attract the attention of dognappers, who see her as grist for their illegal dog-fighting business. Chloe falls in with mutts, strays and a cruise ship rat (Cheech Marin), is rescued by Delgado, a battle-scarred German shepherd (Andy Garcia) and pursued by a Doberman.

If "Chihuahua" is no "Charlotte's Web," at least it's in the "Alvin and the Chipmunks" ballpark. Just remember, nobody went to the pet store and grabbed a chipmunk on the way home.