Product Details

• Actors: Dean Cain, Mario Lopez, Gary Valentine
• Directors: Michael Feifer
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: ANCHOR BAY
• DVD Release Date: December 8, 2009
• Run Time: 88 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B002PB4I3W
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #40,946 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

A retired K-9 police dog makes a great watchdog and could never end up homeless, right? That's probably true in most cases, but not for a golden lab named Zeus (voiced by Mario Lopez) who messed up a job and doesn't seem able to bark. When the homeless Zeus turns himself in to the pound for a good meal and the chance of finding a family, the other dogs in the pound scoff at his optimism. Not too far away, a recent burglary on the Bannisters' street has the family considering getting either a dog or a security system after the holidays. Dad George (Gary Valentine) and kids Kara (Sierra McCormick) and Ben (Charlie Stewart) are heavily in favor of the dog option, but mom Belinda (Elisa Donovan) thinks a security system might entail less mess and care. Being an impulsive guy who rarely listens to the opinions of his wife or anyone else, George heads to the pound and quickly decides that the ex-K9 Zeus, who looks just like his childhood dog, is the perfect answer to his family's needs. Belinda is skeptical but bonds well with Zeus until she realizes that he never barks. After the dog fails to challenge a friend posing as a burglar, it looks like Zeus will be headed back to the pound following Christmas. The family treks off to spend Christmas Eve with Grandma (Mindy Sterling), and two burglars (Joey Diaz and Dean Cain) show up to rip off the Bannisters' home. Determined not to fail his new family, Zeus puts his mind to work and sets out to deter the thieves in unconventional ways, such as dropping Christmas ornaments off the roof onto their heads and showering them with flour--think Home Alone with a dog at the helm rather than a kid. After a too-long series of silly pranks and unconvincing slapstick comedy by Diaz and Cain, it seems that Zeus will have to overcome his fears and live up to his potential as a watchdog or spend the rest of his life alone. Will the pronouncement by the neighboring cat lady (Adrienne Barbeau) that "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" prove prophetic, or can Zeus overcome his fears and become the dog he was meant to be? What could have been a cute new twist on the old "kid left home alone outsmarts a pair of bungling burglars" premise falls flat, thanks to mediocre writing and marginal acting. Kids ages 5 to 8 will probably like this movie because it's a cute, silly story about a clever dog, but older children and adults will find it dull and downright tiresome.

Product Description

The Bannister family’s new addition, Zeus (voiced by Mario Lopez)  a former K-9 police hero, appears to be less than the dependable guard dog the family needs.  However, when two burglars (led by Dean Cain) set out to break into the Bannister’s home while they’re away for Christmas, Zeus seizes the chance to be a hero, proving every dog – even this one – has his day.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A goodhearted family Christmas movie., December 8, 2009

By 

Cynthia Repsher "thia" (Seattle,WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Dog Who Saved Christmas (DVD)

This movie is a good hearted family sit down with a bowl of popcorn and relax movie.The family wants to take in a great dog for Christmas but the mother is not into having a dog.So the father goes to the pound looking for a dog when he spots Zeus,a former K-9 unit dog,who was picked up as a stray.The family falls for Zeus instantly,but the mother has problems with him being there.When the family decides to go to Grandmas house for Christmaas Eve ,Burgulars decide to break in and rob them,but Zeus has to remember what made him a great K-9 dog and bring it up from inside.In the end Zeus capture the Burgulars,but not before having a little whimsical humor with them.Andrean Barbeou,guest as the cat lady.Dean Cain is one of the Burgulars along with Joey Cool.Very humorous,includes bloopers at end of movie.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Marley meets Home Alone?, December 12, 2009

By 

taleeya "taleeya" (Vancouver, BC Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Dog Who Saved Christmas (DVD)

This movie is pretty much Home Alone 4 (or 5, or whatever its up to) but with a dog. I think they are trying to capitalize on the popularity of the Marley movie (even the DVD covers look similar!)

Zeus the dog is an ex-police K9 turned pound puppy who gets taken home by a family at Christmas. The dad and kids love the dog but the mom isn't sure she wants one around the house. To make matters worse, they think he might be too friendly to be a good watch dog.

But when a pair of bungling burglars set their sights on the family home... Well, you did see Home Alone, right? Kind of predictable.... but overall a harmless family holiday movie.

14 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Cheesy, December 6, 2009

By 

Melissa (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Dog Who Saved Christmas (DVD)

I watched this on TV with my 3 and 5 year old children. I had to fast forward through a lot of material that I felt was adult oriented and not very "happy" for a Christmas movie. It's cheesy at best- don't buy it.