Common Sense Media Review
By Yvonne Condes
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Talking-dog comedy means well but lacks depth.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 5+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Rescue Dogs: The Movie
What's the Story?
In RESCUE DOGS: THE MOVIE, Tracy (Paul Haapaniemi) and his talking rescue dog, Charger (voiced by Peter Oldring), fight to save their beachside restaurant from an evil banker who wants to buy the land and turn it into a golf course. Tracy is barely able to pay rent as it is, and once the banker schemes to take him down, Charger runs away. Of course, that's just because he's trying to save the day!
Is It Any Good?
Rescue Dogs is a harmless, cartoon-like movie about a nice guy trying to save his restaurant. Tracy and Charger are a team both in the kitchen and in life, and their adventures yield some positive lessons about loyalty, following your dreams, and taking care of your family. But while the movie certainly good intentions -- all of the animals are rescued (and they all talk, which is sometimes cute and sometimes annoying) -- it's more like a long sitcom episode than a film; even at just 90 minutes, Rescue Dogs feels a little long.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what it's like to worry about or miss a pet. Have you ever had a pet run away (like Charger) or pass away? How did you handle it?
Which of the characters in Rescue Dogs are meant to be role models? How can you tell? Are any of the characters stereotypical? Why does that matter?
Why do you think movies about dogs are so popular? How does this one compare to others you might have seen?
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 1, 2016
- On DVD or streaming : July 1, 2016
- Cast : Courtney Daniels , Peter Oldring , Paul Haapaniemi
- Directors : M.J. Anderson , Haik Katsikian
- Studio : Busted Buggy Entertainment
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Animals
- Run time : 87 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some rude humor
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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