Underdog (PG)

Not too many new tricks left for the old Underdog.

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Common Sense rates it
3
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Movie details
  • Studio: Walt Disney Pictures, Walt Disney Pictures
  • Directed By: Frederik Du Chau
  • Cast: James Belushi, Jason Lee, Peter Dinklage
  • Running Time: 84 minutes
  • Release Date: 08/03/2007
  • Video/DVD Release Date: 12/18/2007
  • Genre: Family and Kids
  • MPAA Rating: PG
  • MPAA Explanation: rude humor, mild language and action.

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that they might be more excited to see a beloved old cartoon transformed to a film than their kids. But even children who've never heard of the super crime-fighting dog will be drawn to a talking-animal movie. Although it's lighthearted, there is some mild, cartoonish violence involving characters being dragged through the street, getting hit with objects, and beging threatened by German Shepherds and a mad scientist and his sidekick. Dog owners: Don't be surprised if your young child pretends that your pet is Underdog.

Families can talk about the importance of helping others -- especially the people you love. How does Underdog help bring Jack and his dad together? How do they help Underdog? Kids: What would you do if your dog had superpowers? Families who've seen episodes of the old TV show can also talk about how it compares with this version.

Message

Social Behavior:

Underdog uses his superpowers to help the people of Capitol City.

Consumerism:

Time magazine, People magazine, Jay Leno, The Tonight Show.

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Violence

Cartoonish violence: Cad is dragged through the street, crashes into bus stop; thieves get hit with trash cans and ladders; characters are tied up, surrounded by violent dogs; a girl and her dog are tied to a building right next to a bomb; Dr. Barsinister tries to blow up a building.

Sex

Dogs flirt and cuddle; a couple on the street kisses briefly; teenagers flirt, hug.

Language

Mild insults: "imbecile," "screw it up," "idiot."

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Sandie Angulo Chen

Jason Lee voices the titular beagle, who abandons his post as a police dog, gets zapped with superpowers by Capitol City's resident mad scientist, Dr. Barsinister (Peter Dinklage), and unexpectedly lands at the home of security guard Dan Unger (James Belushi) and his mopey teenager Jack (Alex Neuberger). Jack, who initially dismisses the new pet his dad names Shoeshine, soon discovers the rescue dog is anything but normal -- he's got superstrength and can inexplicably talk human. Together they decide to use Shoeshine's abilities to keep their city crime free. With a cape, an undersized "U" sweater, and a penchant for speaking in rhyme, Underdog is born.

Is it any good?

3
UNDERDOG is back, but instead of capturing the kitschy fun of the long-running animated series, the rhyming canine has been rather blandly transformed into a gabbing live-action dog. Never fear, however, as most kids won't know the difference since it's parents and not children who remember the beloved original.

But aside from a couple of laughs coaxed from slapsticky antics, the predictable action seems squarely aimed at very young children. There's nothing remarkable about the special effects, nor does the story line build to a thrilling dramatic showdown. Underdog obviously saves the day, but it's not all that heart-stopping. Still, young ones love talking animals, and they'll overlook the film's shortcomings when they see a flying superdog.

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 20 reviews.

3


Posted on 04/12/08 by i love dogs Kid contributor, age 14

Cute but not my kind of movie...

My headline says pretty much all... It's alright but it's, you know, a little to cheesey for my taste...
Age 5+
4


Posted on 03/02/08 by veiwer Adult contributor

I very much enjoyed watching this movie.

The Movie is a vast remake from the 1970's cartoon that I knew,and I found it to be very cute,and funny.
Age 5+
3

Posted on 01/28/08 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Age 5+
3


Posted on 01/20/08 by crap Adult contributor

Awsome

This was a nice family fum movie that had minor violence.
Age 5+
4


Posted on 01/05/08 by kirst Adult contributor

Age 5+
3


Posted on 12/18/07 by Jestocost Adult contributor

Son loved it

I probably wouldn't have liked this movie very much if I hadn't seen it with my 5 year old. He clearly thought it was one of the greatest movies ever made. My son get's very anxious if there is any suspense or dramatic tension in a movie, and he was a little upset at one point while Underdog was facing Riff-Raff, but only for a moment. I did kind of enjoy spotting the references to this half-remembered show from my childhood, but the real enjoyment came from watching how thoroughly my son enjoyed it.
5

Posted on 09/15/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 12

THIS MOVIE WAS SO CUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

all i can say is that this movie is very cute and very appropriate!!!!!!!!!!!
Age 17+
0

Posted on 08/14/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

i died laughing.... at the movie i saw before i left my house forthe movies

this is the stupidest worst most weird movie, about a dog that talks in a red sweater whoever made it up must be crazy so youve been warned dont go to the chessiest movie on the planet i dont even think that this movie could appeal to kids any older than 2 and no adults af any type i reapeat any ANY ANY ANYYYYYYYYYY type.
5


Posted on 08/14/07 by schuymarch1 Kid contributor, age 13

My All Time Favorite...

Underdog is my all time favorite dog movie.
Age 8+
2

Posted on 08/13/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

See all 20 reviews >

Adult Reviews

There are 16 reviews.

Age 5+
4


Posted on 03/02/08 by veiwer Adult contributor

I very much enjoyed watching this movie.

The Movie is a vast remake from the 1970's cartoon that I knew,and I found it to be very cute,and funny.
Age 5+
3

Posted on 01/28/08 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Age 5+
3


Posted on 01/20/08 by crap Adult contributor

Awsome

This was a nice family fum movie that had minor violence.
Age 5+
4


Posted on 01/05/08 by kirst Adult contributor

Age 5+
3


Posted on 12/18/07 by Jestocost Adult contributor

Son loved it

I probably wouldn't have liked this movie very much if I hadn't seen it with my 5 year old. He clearly thought it was one of the greatest movies ever made. My son get's very anxious if there is any suspense or dramatic tension in a movie, and he was a little upset at one point while Underdog was facing Riff-Raff, but only for a moment. I did kind of enjoy spotting the references to this half-remembered show from my childhood, but the real enjoyment came from watching how thoroughly my son enjoyed it.
Age 17+
0

Posted on 08/14/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

i died laughing.... at the movie i saw before i left my house forthe movies

this is the stupidest worst most weird movie, about a dog that talks in a red sweater whoever made it up must be crazy so youve been warned dont go to the chessiest movie on the planet i dont even think that this movie could appeal to kids any older than 2 and no adults af any type i reapeat any ANY ANY ANYYYYYYYYYY type.
Age 8+
2

Posted on 08/13/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Age 8+
2


Posted on 08/10/07 by Surfer_Clock Adult contributor

Nothing's changed

In the corporate turn-over from Michael Eisner to Robert Iger, Disney's still doing one thing that's really taken them down over the years and turned them into a joke. They can take perfectly good children's entertainment and ruin it for a future generation. Obvious but wasted references aside (Shoeshine's probably the best reference, and look how long that lasts...), the live-action talking animal genre's been around about as long as the industry. I'm not sure whether there's anything new to do with it, but I feel like it should be on its way out. It's the kind of thing that at this point, just be given to Enron to see if they can take it with them. Announcing 'no more sequels to classics' is a good start for Disney, but they need to take it one step further and not let Hollywood wreck any more classic franchise.
Age 5+
4

Posted on 08/09/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Great fun for the whole family

This movie is wonderful and very inspiring for many kids!!Good fun.
Age 8+
3

Posted on 08/09/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Not quite the speed of lightning or roar of thunder...

We were disappointed in Underdog. My 6 year-old son enjoys the original cartoons on dvd. However, the change from cartoon to live action was a little scary for my son. He was interested enough to watch the entire movie, but he has no desire to see it again any time soon. The PG rating had concerned me so I checked various reviews and ratings before we agreed to go see the movie. I expected the language and humor to be worse on my rating; however, I was not too bothered by that. In fact, I felt it was lacking in humor (some of the questionable humor went over his head). There was some humor but I think my son would have enjoyed it more if there had been more big laughs in between the scary Barsinister and Riff Raff scenes. My husband was pleased that they played appropriate homage to the cartoon. I am not disappointed that we saw the movie, just disappointed in the movie. Overall, we all felt the movie was just okay.
See all 16 adult reviews>

Kids Reviews

There are 4 reviews.

3


Posted on 04/12/08 by i love dogs Kid contributor, age 14

Cute but not my kind of movie...

My headline says pretty much all... It's alright but it's, you know, a little to cheesey for my taste...
5

Posted on 09/15/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 12

THIS MOVIE WAS SO CUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

all i can say is that this movie is very cute and very appropriate!!!!!!!!!!!
5


Posted on 08/14/07 by schuymarch1 Kid contributor, age 13

My All Time Favorite...

Underdog is my all time favorite dog movie.
5


Posted on 08/11/07 by scooby470 Kid contributor, age 15

really good movie

this movie was the best movie ever. my friends and i oved it.
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