Common Sense Media Review
By Brian Costello
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Grieving boy finds purpose in dog training.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Daniel is a moody and somewhat rebellious tween boy who is sad and resentful over the untimely death of his mother. His father is unsure of what to do with him, and he's starting to slip in his schoolwork. The family's Borzoi dog Gypsy continually escapes the house and runs to the local cemetery and lays by Daniel's mother's grave. When the dog is taken away because of his actions, all concerned parties think it would be best if Daniel started working at a kennel where dogs are trained for a beloved dog show held at the local auditorium. It is here where Daniel must learn responsibility as he bonds with the dogs and begins coming to grips with his grief.
Is It Any Good?
DANIEL AND THE SUPERDOGS would be a decent boy-and-his-dog movie if it was more focused. Unfortunately, the slow-pacing and too many side stories drag down the central story to the point where all the trick dogs in the world can't rescue it. This 102-minute movie could have easily been half that length.
While dog lovers will most certainly enjoy the scenes of the dogs jumping through hoops and racing at top speed, a scene with a dead dog covered in blood will be disturbing to younger and more squeamish viewers. Besides this, the movie tries to do too much, and it belabors its points to the degree where it's difficult to maintain interest from beginning to end.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about movies with dogs. How are the dogs presented in this film? Why are there so many movies about kids and animals?
How were the difficulties of Daniel and his father conveyed, and did those scenes seem believable to you?
What's harder to watch -- a story with graphic violence or a story with a lot of sadness and grief?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : February 1, 2005
- Cast : Annie Bovaird , Annie Chaplin , Jamie Scavone
- Director : Andre Melancon
- Studio : Allumination
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Animals
- Run time : 102 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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