Not sure about this one...
MommaMia | NY | 04/12/2010
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Maybe I'm taking this movie too seriously, however, the more I see it, the more I'm just not sure about it. Bruce and Andi are kids going through a hard time. They hate their foster family and have taken on a huge group of dogs and are hiding them in what becomes called the "Hotel for Dogs." Sounds fairly benign, I suppose. However, the lengths these kids go to in this movie to save these dogs seems a bit much. Breaking and entering and assault are only two of the crimes they commit (and belive me there is more done in this movie in the name of saving their "family") and it makes me wonder if we are making too light of what they do. I would feel horrible if I were these children, losing their dogs like that had to be heartbreaking, however, that their combined efforts brought them to the conclusion that it is acceptable to commit crimes and become felons, well...I had a hard time with that. As my child was watching I got to wondering what message we were sending to her regarding following the law, accepting things we truly cannot change, etc. Yes, it's a kids movie, and kids love dogs and kids may not view it as we do, but that's what bothers me the most. I don't know what she took away from that movie really. What lesson did she learn? Was it that doing whatever you want to get what you want is ok? Although there were other lessons offered, such as the strength of family, I'm not sure that is what she will take away from it. The other lesson was far to exciting and and much more obvious to a child, I think. As I said in the beginning, I'm just not sure about this one, and maybe you won't be either. If you want fluffy dogs for your kids to watch, try something else."
A delightful family film despite the rating
Jade Sable | Leesport, PA | 02/12/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I am one of those 'mean mommies' that does not allow anything not rated 'G' into my house where the tender ears of my 5 and 3 year olds can pick up on things they shouldn't. So my first reaction was to filter this movie without a second doubt. But my children snuck in and it had them mesmerized within 5 seconds. I was pleasantly surprised at hw much I enjoyed this movie as well as my boys.
Though the humor in the movie went over my kids heads, it was neither too raunchy or racist. It sends a subliminal message that science can be cool and I really appreciated the strong message it sent about how much work and time goes into owning a dog. As someone who has volunteered in animal shelters, I have seen too many dogs dropped off by people that weren't ready or didn't do enough research.
Any movie that is family friendly and can keep my kids sitting the whole time gets 5 stars in my book. And I will face the (tickling) wrath of 2 kids if I don't rate this movie 5 stars for the cute dogs. (Especially the pug and poodle since we are owners of both!)"