Benji Off the Leash (PG, 2004)

In BENJI OFF THE LEASH, Colby (Nick Whitaker) is the stepson of Hatchett (Chris Kendrick), an abusive man who runs a puppy mill in the back yard, forcing his dogs to have puppies he can sell, even when it ruins their health. He mistreats the dogs and he mistreats his wife and son. When his best breeder gives birth to puppies that are not purebred, Hatchett tosses the one that looks different across the room and leaves him to die. Colby rescues him, bringing the puppy's mother to see him, so that he can nurse. But when the puppy gets older, Hatchett finds out, and soon the puppy has to fend for himself. He finds a friend, known as "Lizard Tongue," an expert at escaping from a couple of clumsy dogcatchers. Lizard Tongue also finds a friend, the acerbic but kind-hearted Mr. Finch, who leaves dog food and water out on his porch and who knows how to offer gentle friendship to a dog that's not used to kindness from humans.

The dogs are cute, the intentions are good, and there's a refreshing absence of potty humor, but that's about the best that can be said about the fifth movie about loveable mutt Benji from writer/director Joe Camp. Kids will love the clever and loyal little dogs, especially when they outsmart Hatchett and the dogcatchers. But the movie seems caught in a 1970s time warp, and kids may find the story slow going and amateurish.

Some viewers may be upset by Hatchett's harsh behavior toward Colby and the dogs, and by Colby's mother's failure to protect him, and the movie seems more concerned about the abuse of the animals than about the abuse of Colby and his mother. Also, the "happy" ending may not feel too happy to some children. Camp's website has a message about the importance of making movies with genuine family values, but the final message of this film seems to be that fame is better than love and home. The only person likely to find that happiest of endings is Camp himself, glad to be back at the helm of another Benji movie.

Studio: Mulberry Square Releasing
Director: Joe Camp
Cast: Chris Kendrick, Nate Bynum, Nick Whitaker
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 100 minutes
Theatrical release: August 20, 2004
DVD release: December 28, 2004
MPAA Rating: PG
MPAA explanation: thematic elements and some mild language.