My Dog Skip (PG)

Great boy and dog tale; too intense for some kids.

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Common Sense rates it
4
Seen the movie? Review it
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Movie details
  • Studio: Warner Bros.
  • Directed By: Jay Russell
  • Release Date: 02/26/2000
  • Genre: Drama
  • MPAA Rating: PG
  • MPAA Explanation: mild language and tension

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that there are a couple of strong words in the script, a deer is killed by hunters, a child tells a scary story, menacing bad guys threaten Willie and Skip, and Skip is badly injured. When Skip finally dies (of old age) it is still very sad. One four-year-old boy sitting was inconsolable and kept repeating, "Skip died?" all the way to the car.

Families can talk about WWII-era America, with its ration books and scrap drives. Families can also talk about the era's segregation, including separate ticket booths and seating areas at the movie theater and an adult black man calling a white boy "sir." Families can also talk about what makes bullies behave the way they do and how the skills that make a child successful are very different from the skills that make an adult successful.

Message

Social Behavior:

A theme of the movie -- depicts segregated 1940's

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Character drinks to help handle pain.

Violence

Characters in peril, references to war casualties, sad death.

Sex

Mild, including reference to undescended testicle.

Language

Mild epithets.

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Nell Minow

Based on the memoir of Willie Morris, who grew up in 1940's Mississippi in a small, sleepy town, MY DOG SKIP centers on bookish outsider Willie (Frankie Muniz), who doesn’t have a single friend to invite to his 9th birthday party. But one of his birthday presents is a friend, a puppy he names Skip. Willie's mother (Diane Lane) gives him Skip over the objections of his stern and overbearing father (Kevin Bacon). Skip is a good listener and a loyal companion who helps Willie develop confidence and make friends with other boys and with the prettiest girl in school. Willie grows up in the segregated South, but Skip makes friends without regard for color, and takes Willie along. Willie learns about the world with Skip. He learns about himself, too. Angry and embarrassed at his poor performance in a baseball game, he hits Skip, who runs away, devastating Willie. Taking responsibility for his behavior and facing the consequences start him on the road to his adult self.

Is it any good?

4
This is a good, old-fashioned boy and his dog movie that is lyrical and very touching, with many important issues for family discussion. One of the most interesting scenes in the movie for older kids is the parents' debate. Willie's mother says, "He is a responsible boy who needs a friend." His father says that pets are "just a heartbreak waiting to happen." Having lost his leg -- and much of his sense of hope about life -- in a war, he wants to protect Willie from loss as long as he can. But Mrs. Morris knows that loss is the price we pay for caring, and that what we gain from caring -- and from loss -- is well worth it.

Other choices

Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 3 reviews.

5

Posted on 10/02/06 by Anonymous Adult contributor

One of my Favorite movies!

Not a lot to say here other than MY DOG SKIP is one of my all time favorite movies!!! The soundtrack is the best I have ever heard, and the story is classic. I bought this for MY personal CD collection! My children (6 & 9) loved it and it always seems to find its way into our family Friday night pizza night. Whenever the kids are sick and are allowed extra TV time, this is the FIRST movie they request! Just one of those feel good movies that knows no age boundaries. I KNOW you will love this movie!
5


Posted on 07/22/05 by robinpeggy Adult contributor

for once I agree with your age guidance

I usually find the Common Sense rating a big conservative -- my six year old was usually fine with movies rated 8+. But in this case, I think 8 is the right cut-off. The scary scenes are truly scary, and much of the social message was over my almost-7-year-old's head. I enjoyed it, though. Terrific cast.
4


Posted on 01/16/04 by TheShaman Adult contributor

My dog (sniff) Skip

My Dog Skip, was a very enduring movie, Boy and his Dog, I laughed, I cried, anyone who has had a dog can relate to this story. This movie teaches some good values along with how to take care of a pet, what happens to pets when they die, the bonds of friendship. all in all a real tear jerker, reminds me of Old Yeller, not for the faint of heart. this movie is rated PG for a reason, there is some violence and death. something that may be hard for younger viewers to understand.

Adult Reviews

There are 3 reviews.

5

Posted on 10/02/06 by Anonymous Adult contributor

One of my Favorite movies!

Not a lot to say here other than MY DOG SKIP is one of my all time favorite movies!!! The soundtrack is the best I have ever heard, and the story is classic. I bought this for MY personal CD collection! My children (6 & 9) loved it and it always seems to find its way into our family Friday night pizza night. Whenever the kids are sick and are allowed extra TV time, this is the FIRST movie they request! Just one of those feel good movies that knows no age boundaries. I KNOW you will love this movie!
5


Posted on 07/22/05 by robinpeggy Adult contributor

for once I agree with your age guidance

I usually find the Common Sense rating a big conservative -- my six year old was usually fine with movies rated 8+. But in this case, I think 8 is the right cut-off. The scary scenes are truly scary, and much of the social message was over my almost-7-year-old's head. I enjoyed it, though. Terrific cast.
4


Posted on 01/16/04 by TheShaman Adult contributor

My dog (sniff) Skip

My Dog Skip, was a very enduring movie, Boy and his Dog, I laughed, I cried, anyone who has had a dog can relate to this story. This movie teaches some good values along with how to take care of a pet, what happens to pets when they die, the bonds of friendship. all in all a real tear jerker, reminds me of Old Yeller, not for the faint of heart. this movie is rated PG for a reason, there is some violence and death. something that may be hard for younger viewers to understand.

Kids Reviews

There are 0 reviews.

There are no kids reviews.

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