Underdog (PG, 2007)

common sense media says

Not too many new tricks left for the old Underdog.


parents & educators say

What 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.

Positive messages: Underdog uses his superpowers to help the people of Capitol City.
Violence & scariness: 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.
Sexy stuff: Dogs flirt and cuddle; a couple on the street kisses briefly; teenagers flirt, hug.
Language: Mild insults: "imbecile," "screw it up," "idiot."
Consumerism: Time magazine, People magazine, Jay Leno, The Tonight Show.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Underdog

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
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.

What's the story?

What's the story?
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?

Is it any good?
 
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.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: Frederik Du Chau
Cast: James Belushi, Jason Lee, Peter Dinklage
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 84 minutes
Theatrical release: August 3, 2007
DVD release: December 18, 2007
MPAA Rating: PG
MPAA explanation: rude humor, mild language and action.
Watch our review

This review was written by Sandie Angulo Chen
 
 

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What parents & educators say

7

Most useful reviews by all members

acaciab28@hotm ...
kid, 12 years old
 
Underdog: The Movie Review
Rating: IFFY 5+ for mild profanity "they used imbec***, screw it up and idiot. icky stuff for ages 5-6."

Thecoyote
teen, 14 years old
 
There's no need to fear... Jason Lee is voicing Underdog!!!
Jason Lee and Peter Dinklage were excellent as Underdog and Simon Barsinister and the songs and action were well done, but the film isn't as good as it could of been. Jack and his dad were bouring. There's some violence and conserisum (nothing too serious).

rebma97
teen, 14 years old
 
There were some funny moments, but overall Underdog was a mediocre film.

mbbzzz
kid, 13 years old
 
You may need to fear because Underdog the movie is here
Partly a funny movie...Partly a scary movie. Some parts may be to intense for younger listeners. Also some of the words are to intense. CAUTION: May influence younger kids to fly

TheGreatNoOne
teen, 17 years old
 
BAD.
Terrible movie. It's bearable the first time you watch it.

mkalv
teen, 17 years old
 
Best animal film ever!
Unlike most animal films, this one has fighting. 'nuff said.

Dr. Weird
parent of 14 year old
 
There's no need to fear.
Nothing speacial, but it works.

D-day
kid, 13 years old
 
Great!
This is a cute, sweet and funny movie. Although it can be scary at times so I'd say 6+

Twilightgirl09
kid, 12 years old
 
Okay movie!
DONT NEED 2 FEAR UNDERDOG IS HERE and it is a okay movie i guess! But its not bad at all its kinda kidish! But thats kk a lot of people probly like it!

lava girl
kid, 9 years old
 
the dog who was a superhero
yaaaaaaaaaaaay i saw it today i did it was funny a talking dog

RobloxIsTheBes ...
teen, 14 years old
 
This move is terrible!
THIS MOVIE SUCKS!! The only good thing about this movie was the fact that it had German Sheppards. BUT THEN THEY RUINED IT BY MAKING THEM EVIL!! This movie was terrible and we were even the only ones in the theatere that were watching it. YOU SHOULD NEVER SEE THIS MOVIE!!

robinrunner
teen, 14 years old
 
Very cute and a well-loved film for dog lovers
Families everywhere should love this funny movie about a super-powered-beagle fighting crime. Absoulutely a film to watch with your friends and family on a friday night with some popcorn, a blanket, and this movie on your t.v. screen.

4kidshater
teen, 14 years old
 
Why does Disney make movie based on products(excluding books) that are not theirs!!
Why does Disney do a movie based on a UPA production film? It's not theirs. Making a Narnia film is fine. But It would have been okay if Waner Brothers had done it. Skip it

zedada
parent of 6 and 10 year old
 
Nothing to worry about here.
We saw it as a family -- an almost 5 year old and 8 year old. Some of it and the beginning was a bit tough for them to understand but they quickly got the point. It is not that scary -- the good guys obviously are going to win. Underdog is entertaining and funny and it is a lot of fun.

 
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.

djjwc
parent of 10 year old
 
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.

schuymarch1
teen, 17 years old
 
My All Time Favorite...
Underdog is my all time favorite dog movie.

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

 
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.

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