Lenny the Wonder Dog
By Renee Longstreet,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Slapstick kid/dog adventure is nothing to bark home about.
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What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
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What's the Story?
LENNY THE WONDER DOG, who talks and carries a "chip" that can change the world, escapes from two crooks desperate to deliver him to their evil corporate boss. Good fortune sends Lenny to Zach (Sammy Kahn), a lonely young teen who takes him home and hides him. It isn't long, however, before the villains appear at Zach's door and send them on the run again. Teaming up with Becky, the girl Zach secretly adores, Lenny and his new friends set out to stop the power-hungry villain Dr.Wagner, rescue Lenny's real owner (the scientist who has created the sought-after chip), and help local police solve a case of multiple missing children.
Is It Any Good?
A baffling plot, cheap special effects, the repetitious chase scenes, and overall silliness make this movie almost unwatchable for adults. Much of the humor in this sub-amateur production is dependent upon a lisping, mugging, buffoon and his strongman partner who is seen only from the neck down. Though kids might find the visual jokes and pratfalls hilarious, the film sets the quality bar at a very low level.
Fans of Craig Ferguson may be drawn to this film by word-of-mouth; the late night TV host's campy performance as Dr. Wagner, the megalomaniac who wants to rule the world, is so over-the-top it could become a career landmark.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the clues that tell you the action (chases, fights, etc.) in this movie is not to be taken seriously?
Most of the adults are portrayed as foolish or unstable. Why do you think is it appealing to kids when the young characters are the smartest and most resourceful in a film?
Do you agree or disagree with how the animals in this story are treated? When Dr. Island was in charge? When Zach was responsible?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: August 23, 2005
- Cast: Andy Richter, Craig Ferguson, Sammy Kahn
- Directors: Oren Goldman, Stav Ozdoba
- Studio: Winslow Productions
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Cats, Dogs, and Mice, Friendship
- Run time: 83 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: April 2, 2023
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