Common Sense Media Review
By Renee Schonfeld
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Heartwarming boy-and-dog story with life and death issues.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
What's the Story?
When 10-year-old Charlie Logan (Josh Hutcherson in his first film role) moves to Cleveland with his family, he's shy, scared, and sad. He's further upset when his doctor dad (Ted Shackleford) accidentally hits a stray dog on the road. But "Annie" is as brave as they come -- though her injuries are easily repaired, the vet discovers that she has cancer and the dog's front leg must be removed to save her life. Unhappily, no pets are allowed in the Logans' new rental home, so after the successful surgery Annie is in danger of being warehoused with other strays. Charlie takes matters into his own hands and what follows is a series of adventures: a daring rescue, the discovery of Annie's four adorable puppies, dogs running amuck in the famed Cleveland Clinic, and a few wondrous "miracles." Inspired by a children's book: Annie Loses Her Leg but Finds Her Way, by Sandra Philipson.
Is It Any Good?
It's all soothingly predictable; everything's easily resolved and characters change for the better in the blink of an eye. But child actor Josh Hutcherson and the MIRACLE DOGS are marvels of cute, endearing innocence and good deeds. It's a fairy tale story in which the dogs appear to have magical healing powers, but other than a cursory explanation about the placebo effect of an animal's presence, there's no explanation for the miracles that happen.
Other troubled characters in a bevy of sub-stories have very grown-up issues at their core -- an odd combination of bitter and sweet. Still, if mild bouts of cancer, grief, guilt, and amputation aren't off-putting, the boy and his dogs are irresistible.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how caring for a pet helps us become more responsible. What does it feel like having something or someone dependent upon you? What do you get in return for your efforts?
Life's changes can be scary and yet beneficial at the same time. What changes have you and/or your family experienced (i.e., moving, new job, a new baby)? What have you learned from those changes?
Charlie seemed to be on his own a lot in this story, day and night. How realistic is that where you live? Do you think Charlie's parents should have been paying more attention?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : September 11, 2007
- Cast : Josh Hutcherson , Kate Jackson , Ted Shackleford
- Director : Craig Clyde
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Tag Entertainment
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Animals , STEM
- Run time : 93 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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