Product Details

• Actors: Frankie Muniz, Diane Lane, Luke Wilson, Kevin Bacon, Bradley Coryell
• Directors: Jay Russell
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Language: English, German
• Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Warner Home Video
• VHS Release Date: July 11, 2000
• Run Time: 93 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (138 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00004TJTQ
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #12,253 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
This boy-and-his-dog movie, a nonpareil family film, is, as one of the characters so aptly puts it, "a heartbreak waiting to happen." Frankie Muniz, winning over audiences in the TV series Malcolm in the Middle, has competition in My Dog Skip--Skip himself (adorably played by a total of six Jack Russell terriers). Muniz, an inveterate charmer, stars as Willie Morris (from whose memoir the film is adapted), a gawky, awkward boy growing up during World War II under an overly protective father (Kevin Bacon). When his mom (Diane Lane) gives him Skip on his 9th birthday, his life is changed in every way for the better. Previously disinterested peers become pals, and he experiences puppy love with a girl named Rivers (Caitlin Wachs). There are plenty of high jinks and rah-rah touches of Americana, and the film also attempts to deal with sophisticated emotions--Willie's boyhood hero turns out to be less than heroic--but its devastating emotional core comes, simply and obviously, with Skip's eventual aging and demise. Dog lovers will be wiped out; those who don't care for canines shouldn't even be bothering to read this review. (Ages 8 and older) --David Kronke

From Parents' Choice®
Not only will the dog in "My Dog Skip"-an adorable Jack Russell Terrier-make you ooh and aah, but the story will melt your heart. It's sweet and well-told, good entertainment for a Saturday night with the family.

The time: the 1940's, during World War II. Nine-year-old Willie Morris, played by Malcolm In the Middle's Frankie Muniz, is not exactly the tough neighborhood kid. When his only friend, his next-door neighbor and town high school jock named Dink, goes off to war, Willie's left alone-until his parents get him a dog. He and his dog Skip forge a strong and lasting bond, the kind the words "a boy and his dog" have always meant in the deepest sense.

Based on a true story, the tale follows Willie Morris' own childhood memories, poignantly illustrating the struggles of growing up. If you don't own a dog, you'll wish you had one, especially if you have an only child. If you do own a dog, you'll snuggle up with him after the movie is over.

Muniz does a great job of making us laugh and get teary-eyed. Diane Lane is perfect as his mom, and Kevin Bacon is excellent as Willie's stern but loving father. Luke Wilson charms everyone as Willie's changed-by-war neighbor, Dink. Funny and heartwarming, you can enjoy this one with the whole family-again and again. A 2000 Parents' Choice® Silver Honor.

Reviewed by Ann Oldenburg, Parents' Choice® 2000

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Dog Skip DVD Review: Highly recommended!, August 20, 2000

By	Dennis A. Amith (kndy) (California) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: My Dog Skip (DVD)

I didn't watch the movie in the theater because I figured that it's one of those children movies and I probably won't enjoy it. After reading about three reviews on Amazon.com and the good reviews from the viewers (dog lovers) out there, I had to give it a try.

My wife and myself watched the movie with our two dogs sitting next to us. We love our dogs but I wanted to watch the movie not because of the story of a boy and his dog (I could have watched "Ben") but because I wanted to see this touching story and the relationship one has with their pets, that's what I was interested in.

After we were done watching, we were both in tears. I looked at my two dogs and it reminded me of how much these pets are a part of our lives. The storyline of a kid who is bullied and how his dog helps him through his young life and eventually gains friends to the last 15 minutes which will nearly shatter your heart. An emotional roller coaster this movie turned out to be.

Ok...as for the DVD, the audio is mostly dialogue but the rear speakers are used pretty well. Especially during the baseball game. The video is clear and the colors are good. As for the special features, you get two feature-length audio commentaries. One with Frankie Muniz and animal trainer Mathilde DeCagney and the other with director Jay Russell. It was cool to see the deleted scenes and part of me wishes they left it in and I wish the director elaborated why he removed them from the movie. And of course, the ever loveable trailer and scene selections which I don't count as special features (all DVD's should have those).

All in all, "My Dog Skip" is a wonderful movie. I recommend this movie to all dog lovers. Those who dislike canines or any pets would probably not watch this movie anyway... Highly recommended for the dog loving fans out there and remember to have the tissue box nearby.

37 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great film for only-children, dog lovers and the family, June 24, 2000

By	Shelley Shay (Denton, TX **(God Bless the USA!!)**) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

It gets rarer and rarer today that a film is made that includes a true story, no foul language, no sex and still is entertaining and suitable for children.

If you have extremely sensitive children, however, there is a very violent act perpetrated against the star, Skip. It is very disturbing, but sadly was a true event in the life of this dog and his boy. If you have a child who is overly sensitive, you may want until they are a little older before letting them see this film due to the one scene.

Despite the disturbing scene I mentioned, this is still a feel-good movie, lump-in-throat not-withstanding.

Even the most stony-hearted viewer will have at least a tear in their eye during some of the scenes. The film shows the growing relationship between a boy and his dog, his father, mother and friends.

Taking place in the 1940s when most people had big families, an only-child's only companion is an adorable Jack Russell Terrier puppy named Skip.

Skip is quite a unique character and everyone in town knows him, loves him and respects him. This was a highly enjoyable film and a good bonding movie for a family and children. You don't need to own a dog or have children to enjoy the film, however. If you hate dogs, however, this is not a film you should even consider. I found this a highly enjoyable film that exceeded my expectations. It earns a 5 star rating because of the convincing acting and a well-rounded family film that is actually suitable to show to every member of the family.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Dog Skip - See it twice!, April 2, 2000

By	Will L. (USA) - See all my reviews

My Dog Skip is a lovely, heartwarming tale (or tail, pardon the pun) about a misfit boy and his heroic dog. It is a coming-of-age story without all the usual Hollywood yukky adolescent "stuff." It's appropriate for kids, as well as adults, although the very young may be frightened by some things that happen to Skipper the Dog. I was amazed that Hollywood could release such a tender, heart-wrenching movie, devoid of blatent sexuality, in the year 2000. With the exeception of a few (and I mean just a few) expletives that probably earned it the PG rating, it is a really nice family film. I can't wait for it to be available on video and DVD from Amazon.