Parents' Guide to

Treasure Hounds

By Renee Longstreet, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

Routine boy-and-dog treasure hunt with fart jokes.

Movie PG 2017 88 minutes
Treasure Hounds Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 6+

Based on 5 parent reviews

Marla R.
Marla R. Adult
February 25, 2018
age 6+

Family fun and mystery

My 7 year old grandson loved this movie! If you , like our family, want clean, wholesome family fun and laughs with a little mystery thrown in, you will like this. Some adults may not rate this highly but it's great for kids, and we enjoyed watching it and hearing the laughs of our grandson.
1 person found this helpful.
bronx
bronx Parent of 6 and 7-year-old
June 3, 2022
age 5+

Good / Fun movie for kids

My grandkids loved this movie. They loved the talking dog and how the group ended up as friends and they truly laughed . I enjoyed it too. It’s a fun and entertaining movie for the kids . I wouldn’t pick it for a movie just for me to watch alone but it was great to watch with the kids. They were 4 and 6 the first time they saw it . They’re now 5 and 7 and want us to watch it again when they visit.
See all 5 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In TREASURE HOUNDS, Jack (Valin Shinyei) and his mom (Jesse Fraser) have inherited Grandpop's oddball, over-stuffed home in a small town. It isn't until they're in the house that Jack's mom reveals that they're staying, leaving their small urban apartment for some small town beauty and what she hopes will be a better life. Jack's upset at first, but inheriting Grandpop's dog, Skipper (voiced by Norm MacDonald), and meeting some interesting new kids piques his interest. When Jack discovers a clue left by his grandfather that sends him on a treasure hunt, things seem to be looking up. Unfortunately, neither Jack nor his new friends realize that two criminals are also after the treasure. The clues are hard to find; the inept villains are obstacles in their path; and sneaking around the town presents problems, too. Especially since their little city is in dire financial straits and badly needs a treasure to save it from extinction. Events escalate when Jack's mom finds out about their quest and the clues get them closer to a final confrontation with their enemies.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (5):
Kids say: Not yet rated

This boy-and-talking-dog story is low-budget fare, with some artless performances and direction, bare-bones special effects, and just enough silliness to register a few laughs for some kids. This entry in the "good kid moves to new town and encounters bumbling criminals on the loose" genre is substandard, even for that film category. Still, the exaggerated, ridiculous villains, a dog obsessed with his acute sense of smell (including butts aplenty), and a competent performance by Valin Shinyei as Jack just may keep kids, through middle grades, in their seats for Treasure Hounds.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can discuss the familiarity of this story and its characters. What story elements have you seen before? In what ways are the bad guys characters you've often seen in other movies? Does their incompetence and clumsiness make them more kid-friendly villains? What, if anything, is fresh or original about Treasure Hounds?

  • What does it mean when a movie is called "predictable"? When did you first realize how the story would go and how it would end? Do you mind watching a predictable story if the events that move it forward are interesting and special? Was this one of those films? Why or why not?

  • Find out the meaning of the terms "lowbrow" humor or "low comedy." Many of the laughs in this film rely on farts, name-calling, and a broad caricature of a German thief. Would you consider that "lowbrow" humor? What are your favorite lowbrow comedies?

Movie Details

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