Good Boy! (2003)
Earth is going to the dogs
Starring: Molly Shannon, Matthew Broderick, Liam Aiken, Kevin Nealon, Brittany Murphy, Cheech Marin, Vanessa Redgrave, Carl Reiner, Brittany Moldowan, George Touliatos, Patti Allan, Hunter Elliott, Mikhael Speidel, Delta Burke, Donald Faison
Director: John Robert Hoffman
Running Time: 87 minutes
US MPAA rating: N/AUK BBFC rating: U
Action, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Science Fiction
Elf and Finding Nemo have both proven this year that fitting into the "family" bracket is no excuse for not coming up with the sort of material that can appeal to all ages. In fact, I personally think that those two movies are among the very best of 2003 in any genre. In comparison to such triumphs, lame doggy flick 'Good Boy' is a major disappointment.
Based on the book 'Dogs From Outer Space' by Zeke Richardson, the movie stars 13-year-old Liam Aiken as Owen, a socially shunned youngster who finds - and befriends - an intergalactic mutt called Hubble (voiced with a hint of boredom by Matthew Broderick). It soon emerges that all canines are, in fact, from the planet Dog Star - and unless Owen can help Hubble create the charade that woofers rule the Earth, they'll all be recalled home by the Vanessa Redgrave-voiced Great Dane in charge. Oh well, at least our pavements would be cleaner.
It's a flimsy premise in the first place, but the weak attempts at humour and seeming desperation to avoid all costly sci-fi special effects make for fairly humdrum viewing. It's main strength is its cuteness, and the heartwarming stuff works better than the comedy. But talking animals have been put in plenty of other movies over the past few years, with far greater effect. 'Babe', Cats and Dogs and the Dr Dolittle' films all spring instantly to mind, and all of those work on a much better level than this one.
It's all totally harmless of course, and there are a few mildly amusing moments - but even the youngest of cinema-goers aren't likely to be massively impressed by the bulk of it. All I can say to parents is, if you're after a trip to the pictures with the young 'uns this holiday season, choose the delightful Elf over this one. That way everybody will be happy.
It's Got: The requisite quota of fart jokes for a dog-based movie.
It Needs: To make better use of a decent cast.
Alternatives: Babe, Dr Dolittle, Cats and Dogs, Beethoven
Summary: An ever-so-slightly feeble fam-com to end the year on a bit of a dull note.
Review by Gary Panton
Review Date: 20th December 2003
External Links
Official Web Site
Good Boy! at the IMDB
