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• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000UMLJZ8

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4.0 out of 5 stars Furry Family Fun, August 22, 2007

By 

K. Fontenot "Prairie Cajun Regenerated!" (Louisiana) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Underdog [Theatrical Release] (Theatrical Release)

When I first heard that Disney was going to be putting out a live action version of "Underdog," I cringed at the thought. How could one make a live action film based on a cartoon who's key character was A) a dog, B) interacted freely with humans and other animals and C) was definitely a product of its times? Sure, the "Scooby-Doo" films have been out for awhile, but Scooby (and his cousins) were the only animals that interacted with anyone and their update was a fair success. Although Disney's answer wasn't 100% perfect, it was definitely a good response.

What the writers did was simplify the original tale somewhat. Instead of having Underdog interact with humans by being a shoeshine boy, he became an out-of-luck former police dog who's picked up by the caring-but-tense family of James Belushi and Alex Neuberger. They name him "Shoeshine." They also made the rest of the animals, namely Polly and Riff-Raff, only interact with Underdog and not the humans. Lastly, they firmly planted this film in 2007 by updating the lingo, the music, and the science that created Underdog.

Simon Barsinister (Peter Dinklage) and Cad (Patrick Warburton) are along for the ride and just like in the old TV show, they are Underdog's primary adversaries. Jason Lee provides the voice of the super pup, and gives him a refreshing update that I'm sure will tick off fans of the original cartoon.

The story, as mentioned earlier, is based around a not-so-hot police dog who's literally laughed off of the force by his comrades. He's picked up by Barsinister and Cad and becomes Underdog through a lab accident. He escapes from Barsinister and is picked up by another has-been cop, James Belushi. He's taken in by Belushi and his son and begins to form a strong bond with the boy. The rest of the story centers around Barsinister trying to capture Underdog to use his powers to take over the city and, eventually, the world. Along the way Shoeshine/Underdog falls for Polly, his new family gets closer, and he struggles with a catchphrase.

Sure, the story is simplistic and entirely unbelievable, but this is still a very good film to take your children to. I don't recall any harsh language but there is a little bit of violence and some puppy peril. At one point a particular pup gets into a deadly situation that might scare very young children. Just know that all turns out well in the end and I promise that your kids will be smiling before the movie is over.

This isn't a great film, but it is a very good family flick. The cast do an excellent job with what they have to work with and the special effects are of a similar (but slightly better) grade as those in other recent live-action flicks that involve CGI characters. I'm especially fond of Underdog's take-offs when he heads to the air.

Fans of the original series will probably cry foul over what has happened to their beloved Underdog. They do have a legitimate gripe but this film wasn't made to recall a ton of memories. It was made to draw in a modern crowd of youngsters and their families (some of which may not have even heard of the original show). The bottomline is this: It's a good family show that is enjoyable for both kids and their parents. Haggle over the changes if you must, but in the end, Disney has a winner with "Underdog."

2.0 out of 5 stars Fair kid flick, September 3, 2007

By 

wiredweird "wiredweird" (Earth, or somewhere nearby) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Underdog [Theatrical Release] (Theatrical Release)

This light, delightful flick is a take-off of a take-off. The original Underdog cartoon had already turned the superhero/secret-identity genre on its head, and this live-action movie does the same for that cartoon.

Oh, the pieces are all there. We have the evil Simon Bar Sinister, as short in this live action as he was in the cartoon, with his coiffed but cloddish henchman. We have Sweet Polly Purebred. We even have the humble but lovable Shoeshine - somehow, the writers made all that work in translating it to a recognizable world, where Underdog is a regular household pet.

A few "Mad Scientist" scenes might be a bit much for the littlest, most skittish viewers. It's good fun for other kids, though, and an amusing recreation for people who remember the original series at all fondly. All others should probably give it a pass.

-- wiredweird

1.0 out of 5 stars CG Underdog looks worse then Scooby Doo...., August 28, 2007

By 

Joe Mac Guy "NA" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Underdog [Theatrical Release] (Theatrical Release)

I guess Disney saw how Warners butchered Scooby Doo with the two dumb live action films, so they gave it a similar treatment in this very stupid take on the 1960's cartoon. It has no plot and is neither funny or cute. It is just plain stupid. Disney and Warner Brothers should form a partnership and make stupid movies all the time, they sure make an awful team.