Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2

Kids have a thing for talking-animal movies that's hard for many adults to understand, but for a genre that can be abysmal (Yogi Bear, Marmaduke), this straight-to-DVD sequel is pretty entertaining. Of the original cast, only Lopez revisits his role, and it's a good thing, because much of this particular story rides on his comedy chops. Yustman (You Again) may not have a voice that's instantly recognizable like Drew Barrymore's, but it's still sweet and bubbly enough to work as Chloe. The new Sam is passable as well, and the new Rachel and Aunt Viv aren't in the movie enough to make audiences care they've been replaced.

The addition of the five puppies makes for an even younger-skewing humor, since trouble-making puppies are destined for sight gags and slapstick jokes, but they're obviously adorable and hard to resist. Once again there's a good bit of emphasis on the historical place of chihuahuas as the chosen pets of the Aztecs, but it works well within the context of a father teaching his pups to be proud of their heritage. This isn't a dog-tale for the ages, but it has heart. Parents should be warned, however, that children who watch this movie may ask incessantly for a chihuahua or two of their own.