Parents' Guide to

Agent Toby Barks

By Renee Longstreet, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 7+

Talking dog is a spy; comic action and cartoon threats.

Movie G 2020 85 minutes
Agent Toby Barks Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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What's the Story?

Bret (Jonah Coppolelli) and Kate (Charlotte Ciano) have no idea that their beloved dog Toby (voiced by Jon Lovitz) is really a government agent in AGENT TOBY BARKS... and he talks! It's only a matter of time, however, before they find out. Their Auntie B (Casey Seymour Kim) comes to stay with them for a weekend while Ted (Dean Cain), the kids' dad, goes on a fishing-business trip. Auntie B is an agent, too, a teammate of Toby's. In fact, she's also the brilliant inventor who is responsible for the "B-Link" that enables Toby's magic. It's during that weekend that the treacherous Agent Lane (Fred Sullivan) makes his move. Lane wants Auntie B's ultra-valuable B-Link. Imagine how much money they could make with talking pets! But Auntie B only wants to use her invention for good. She's not about to sell out. Agent Lane won't give up. No matter how many hoodlums and criminals he brings on to kidnap both Auntie B and Toby, Bret and Kate simply won't let that happen.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (2):

All the routine elements are in place: talking dog, likable kids, single dad, slapstick action, and idiotic buffoon villains who will stop at nothing to get rich; it just doesn't add up to much. Plus, Agent Toby Barks' boring, silly subplot about a fishing trip to win favor with the dad's boss stops the momentum in its would-be farcical tracks. However, there's a glimmer of something special in the character and performance of Casey Seymour Kim's "Auntie B." While all of the villains around her are hamming it up the way only amateurs with no direction can, Kim plays it straight -- with a wink -- and she's delightful to watch, much funnier than the clowns. If only the other actors and the director would've taken their cues from her.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the cartoon action in Agent Toby Barks. Do you think the fact that the violence is comic makes a difference for kids? How about little kids? How does your family decide when the kids are ready to see slapstick action? Why is it important to be aware of the impact of media violence on kids?

  • What is it about pets who speak that kids love? Is it their humanness? The silliness? What are your favorite talking animal movies? If your pet could talk to you, what do you think it would it say?

  • Find out more about slapstick humor. What does the term mean? What specialized techniques do the performers call upon to deliver the fun?

Movie Details

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Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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