Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco

Movie review by Heather Boerner, Common Sense Media
Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 7+

Definitely not as good as the first.

G 1996 89 minutes
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Parents say

age 6+

Based on 7 reviews

Kids say

age 6+

Based on 7 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 while there's no real violence, there's enough mild peril to frighten sensitive children. For instance, Shadow, Sassy, and Chance almost get hit as a plane takes off and Jamie thinks Chance has been hit and killed by a semi. There are also several dog fights or scenes where dogs bare their teeth menacingly. The villains steal dogs to sell for experiments, and one of them smokes a cigar the whole time.

Community Reviews

gishfish87
gishfish87 Adult
February 18, 2021
age 2+

Groan-inducing film, but toddler loves it

As others have said, this film hardly compares to the first, but it is still an entertaining and safe kids' movie. In fact, this is a pretty terrible movie, lol, but my kid loves it, and it's pretty harmless and goofy. Writers Chris Hauty and Julie Hickson are not known for any particularly great movies, and HB2 is no exception. I still have no idea why the family drove to Canada but wanted to fly the pets separately. The main themes apear to be romance, attachment, growing up, and fear of abandonment. The romance between Chance and Delilah is super mushy and contrived. Shadow's character is basically a space-filler and doesn't have any memorable or profound dialogue like in the first film. Sallie Fields (as Sassy) also deserved better writing. I think the bull mastiff and boxer duo are a couple, which is actually super subtle and cute. I also appreciate that Delilah and the other female strays are savvy and capable, rather than being stereotypical girly girls. Not only is the furry trio pitted against the perils of street life (albeit temporarily), but they must also be wary of the dog snatchers who kidnap pets and strays. One reviewer said these antagonists serve as propaganda against the animal testing industry, but I believe that reviewer completely overlooked the real problem: these men are stealing dogs to sell; what kind of facility buys stolen pets instead of purchasing animals bred for that purpose (typically, beagles are bred and used in research facilities). Anyway, it's not propaganda to feature villains who participate in illegal activities. One of the men smokes a cigar (just a warning that this film does contain tobacco use). If you want your child to be exposed to better writing, then stick with the first film.
Darkseid
Darkseid Adult
May 19, 2020
age 5+

Do not compare it to the first and you have a decent movie

A cute movie, lacking deep human feelings but worth a see. The animals make references that would go over kids heads, but the scenes are cute and slapstick funny. My kids are 5 and 7 and they were entertained. Spoilers: They did not know how to take the young dogs licking each other. The real emotions only come out briefly at the end during the final scene of the animals almost making it home.
See all 7 parent reviews

What's the Story?

This sequel to the book-to-film favorite Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey also stars Chance the American bulldog, Sassy the Himalayan cat, and Shadow the Golden Retriever (voiced by Michael J. Fox, Sally Field, and Ralph Waite respectively). On this adventure all three pets are headed to Canada for a family camping trip. When Chance refuses to take his tranquilizer and then worries that he's being taken back to the "bad place," he escapes his pet carrier and Sassy and Shadow follow, determined to save their friend. Unfortunately, they find themselves not saved but lost -- in a San Francisco filled with cartoonish dognappers and bullying boxers and mastiffs. With the help of a pack of kind-hearted stray dogs, can they make it back to their owners safely?

Is It Any Good?

Good thing that pet stories are in a class by themselves, because on its own, this one's pretty bland. While the pace is slow and the dialog boring, the loveable cast of characters will carry some viewers through. There's the street-smart lady dog Delilah (A Night at the Museum's Carla Gugino), a dog who stutters when he scratches himself, and the tiny hound who, like Alfalfa, comically pines for his Delilah.

Kids may also learn from some of Chance's mistakes as he bumbles his way home, but overall this movie and its cute pets don't have much to say. Better to stick with the original or other great pet movies.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about better pet adventure movies, like the first Homeward Bound and 101 Dalmatians. What makes those movies family favorites? Do you wish your pets could talk? What actor's voice would you like them to have?

Movie Details

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