12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Greatest Dog Actor of All Time, February 6, 2006
This is a great light and funny comedy that I think everybody can enjoy. It does have a bit of violence but it is not over the top with it. Hanks is his usual funny self and this is one of his early roles before he became the serious icon that he has become and rightly so. But the STAR of the movie is HOOCH the Dogue de Bourdeaux (or French Mastiff). This dog has the most charisma I have ever seen in a dog. The big red beautiful (in the eyes of the beholder)beast has everything it takes to steal the spotlight from Tom Hanks and everybody else in the movie. He is at the same time one of the ugliest and cutest animals ever on film. The dog has the chops, the look and the acting ability to make Turner and Hooch and all time favorite for both adults and kids (maybe not too young though cause of the crime plot) but watching Hanks play off the dog is hilarious.
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the least appreciated, sweet little films of all time, June 21, 2001
Thoroughly charming - one of those rare films that is unabashedly what it means to be: a simple movie about a man learning to love something besides himself. In this case, it happens to be a dog (a very unusual beloved beast). There are little gems of performances, John McIntire as Amos, who brings the old saw about "people look like their dogs" to life, and Mare Winningham who really shows how powerful a performance understatement can make. And of course Tom Hanks, who is as always the most charming human being in the world. He also brings this very flawed person to admirable life. Then Hooch, of course, whose real name is sadly lacking in the list of credits.
The screenplay itself is a marvel of simple, unassuming comedy. If we want to get "appreciatin'", then Hanks' urgently yelled, "I got a muffin for you, Hooch!" is a far more immediate and understandable cry of the everyman than "Reuben! Reuben!" And there can be no more perfect cry of human frustration than Hanks imploring Hooch (who has, after eating, sleeping, and going on his nightly "rounds", continued to howl all night), "What?! What?!"
Hooch's ending is very sad, especially if you have young ones in the house, but the sadness is redeemed by a hopeful ending. I love this movie. It never ceases to make me smile after the worst of days. And no film can have a higher commendation than that.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best Movie Dog, January 21, 2007
What a great movie. Ever since this movie came out my daughter has wanted a mastif just like Hooch. Thank goodness she can satisfy herself with this dogs antics by watching the movie over and over again. Although this movie looks very eighties/early nineties it has timeless appeal. Definately worth owning.
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