The Fox and the Hound 2

Movie review by Nancy Davis Kho, Common Sense Media
The Fox and the Hound 2 Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 5+

Milder than the original and full of country music charm.

G 2006 69 minutes
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Parents say

age 4+

Based on 8 reviews

Kids say

age 4+

Based on 12 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this straight-to-DVD sequel made 25 years after the first one is not really a sequel at all. It's a much milder story featuring Tod and Copper, young again, sneaking off to a county fair. Violence is mostly slapstick in nature with a runaway Ferris wheel and cow stampede. The lessons are lighter too, focusing on how to be a good friend and say sorry when you're not.

Community Reviews

Standard Bearer
Standard Bearer Adult
August 21, 2020
age 4+

Just a few minor things

Use of the word stupid and dumb. When dixie is emotional eating the cat asks "why don't you just put it on your hips " My 5 year old said it made her a little sad though she couldn't pinpoint why but overall my girls enjoyed it.
Msberann
Msberann Adult
June 5, 2019
age 5+

Ehhhhh....

Ehhhhh... What did I just watch?? Okay, I have seen it a couple of times, but it is a little wierd. It starts off fine, with some mischiefs and adventures with Todd and Cooper which we enjoyed watching in the first movie. But it is when they're going to the carnival that things are going WAAAY downhill. There suddenly everything is all about the dog band and singing stuffs and how Cooper gets involved and become a star and Todd feels left out. And then they're trying to get the band back together. Like, what??! What does that have to do with Fox and the Hound? And once again, it's not even about them!! The dog band becomes the main characters instead! This movie could've been all about them without Todd and Cooper then it would've worked much better. But it is a sequel to Fox and the Hound and the least they can do is to let it be about THEM! But no.... (Sigh) At least I give it some credit for the music. It has surprisingly good written country music. It fits the environment and makes this messy movie at least a little enjoyable. The animation is okay too, but sometimes it's just too obvious that it's done by a computer. Even as a silly kids movie for the younger ones, the kids deserves better than this. But if you like country music and just wanna see a cute childhood story about Todd and Cooper, I guess it's okay.
See all 8 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Copper's lack of hunting talent is a major disappointment to his owner and the senior hunting dog, Chief (Rob Paulsen), so they leave Copper (voiced by Harrison Fahn) home while they go enjoy a traveling fair. In an attempt to cheer up his self-critical friend, Tod (Jonah Bobo) frees Copper so they can visit the fair as well. Entertainment at this lively carnival includes the "Singing Strays," a group of howling dogs led by Cash (Patrick Swayze) and fronted by diva dog Dixie (Reba McEntire). When Dixie stomps off in huff, Copper discovers that he's a natural addition to the group. Soon he and Cash are buddy-buddy while Tod plays second fiddle and waits for his friend to return. Dixie and Tod work together to derail the new friendship that threatens both of them.

Is It Any Good?

This movie moves along at a bouncy pace, rich with rapid-fire, homespun colloquialisms like "nervous as a flea on dip day" and "plain as a pig on a sofa." At the rather bittersweet end of Disney's 1981 Fox and the Hound, best friends Tod the fox and Copper the hound were grown up and going their own ways into adulthood. In THE FOX AND THE HOUND 2, Tod and Copper are rambunctious young friends again, chasing crickets and dreams of stardom in a roller coaster tale of friendship that's filled with country music and top-notch vocal and singing talent.

Funny side bits include a domineering girl guide who chaperones a music industry scout to within an inch of his life and a signature "shake on it" greeting between Tod and Copper. Country music fans of any age will appreciate the obvious care that went into the development of the movie's score, which includes bluegrass players of national caliber. Original songs recorded by Trisha Yearwood and Lucas Graebel (of High School Musical) enhance the story without being cloying.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Tod and Copper's unlikely friendship and what it's like to befriend someone very different from you. How do they support each other?

  • You can also talk about Copper's participation in the band and the problems it caused. Have you ever had a big argument with a close friend? How did you work it out?

  • If you put a family band together, what would everyone play?

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