Rating: Summary: Fantastic entertainment, great acting, great DVD! Review: I put a 4-star review up here for the theatrical version. For the DVD, I'm lifting it to a 5-star review. I think any film that entertains and moves a person as this film does, EVEN WITH THE FIFTH VIEWING, deserves special recognition. Yes, I picked up the DVD the first day it hit the stores, after having seen the film 4 times at the theater. The only drawback to the DVD is that it doesn't use the original widescreen format past the opening credits. Everything else about the film and disc deserves praise, praise, praise. First, the film itself is a delight. No matter what my mood to start with, after the first 20 minutes or so I always get completely into the film and by the end of it I am always feeling great about people and the world (and dogs!!) Second, Liam Aiken (Stepmom, Sweet November, I Dreamed of Africa, Road to Perdition, The Rising Place, Law and Order) is the star of the film and gives a PERFECT performance in both comedic and dramatic ways. He has such a wide range and the character is a round, fully realized, interesting, and sympathetic one. Third, if you forget for a moment any other films with similar themes, you should perceive that the director did a very fine job here. The film's pacing is good. It's loaded with gags and details to savor both on initial and later viewings, and even if not all the gags work for some audiences, I don't think there are any missteps so serious that they would actually diminish the enjoyment of the film. Fourth, the script is compassionate and very moving and heartwarming and basically recalled to me what it is about really good films that makes me love the cinema. Fifth, the DVD is loaded with great extras. There are 6 minutes of deleted scenes that are absolutely great! There is audio commentary available during both the deleted scenes, and during the full feature film (with director John Hoffman, star Liam Aiken, and co-star Molly Shannon). There are documentaries about the making of the film, about dog training, bonus features and gags about the dogs. There are even two HIDDEN features to be found on the second "Special Features" menu screen. Clicking to the very top reveals a new option called "Bark!" that when selected shows us an absolutely riveting film clip from Liam's audition in which he gives an all-out tearjerking version of the "Please keep the dogs on earth" plea. Surely there is an Oscar in this actor's future!! Then, clicking to the left of the menu reveals a "Woof!" selection showing Liam receiving a surprise gift dog from the "Good Boy!" crew during a staged scene they set up for him. This is a delightful film and the DVD provides so much material for viewing and re-viewing. Buy it now!!
Rating: Summary: Can I have a cookie? Review: I thought this movie was average. I was hoping it would be a lot more funny than it was. I would have to say that it was more cute than funny. I love the animals they casted, especially the little grayhound. This has been done before, but I thought it was more tastefully done here simply because all the voices fit so well with the dogs. I was also happy to find that there were extras on this DVD. There's a behind the scenes, a place where you can find out the type of dog each one is plus a little bit about them, a dog trainer showing how you can train your dog, and a few other things. You can see the people behind the voices of the dogs in this section as well. It was interesting to learn the information they had here. Overall, I would definately suggest renting this. Although I thought it was average, I might consider buying it since it was a cute story.
Rating: Summary: Great for all dog lovers! Review: I was so pleasantly surprised by this movie. I'll admit, though, that I had low expectations because most kids' movies are ridiculous. I hadn't expected to sit and watch it with my child, but I found myself pulled in through this whole movie from the beginning all the way through till the very last great line of the movie. It may seem like a copy of other movies in certain ways, but it is so well done, funny, sweet and poignant. And the little boy who stars in it does a wonderful job. A great "feel good" movie for dog lovers especially!
Rating: Summary: Great family entertainment, even for cat lovers! Review: I wasn't expecting much from this DVD, but when I sat down to watch it with the kids, I couldn't help but smile! The *plot* of the movie is quite clever and the everyday references to dog owners are fantastic. For example, you think you are walking the dog, well...the dog is walking you, etc. Just fantastic. It's nice to know there is a great movie out there that the entire family can watch, even if you have a cat in your lap! A definite must watch.
Rating: Summary: Really Funny and cute Review: I would reguralerily give this movie 4 stars, but because of the awesome special features and the cuteness of the film. Once you see it, you learn to find that this movie is irresistable, if you're a dog lover. If you are a dog lover, you want to see this, no matter what. Alot of people that voice the movie and people that do the movie you probably know, like Molly Shannon, Kevin Nealon (Both from SNL), Brittany Murphy and Donald Faison do voices, and what's weird is they both starred in Uptown Girls together, another great movie, but the weird thing is that both movies have been distributed by MGM, both are released in August-October. Also, Matthew Broderick, Delta Burke,and alot of notable people. It's very cute
Rating: Summary: Good Boy is just okay Review: Maybe okay is too positive of a review. This movie wasn't bad, it wasn't good, it was just there. Not a whole lot of humor in this story about canines from outer space, but it's still a nice, wholesome, family film. There are definitely some good scenes that children will enjoy, and the animals are definitely cute, but I can't recommend this film. It just did nothing for me.
Rating: Summary: Half way from good and bad Review: Now I know that Ebert & Roeper both hated this movie, they set this was a "very bad family film", or at least Ebert. But it seemed to go half way from a bad and good film for me, and I am going to give it 3 stars. Mostly I guess this might be for some young kids, and though it is rated for mild crude humor, though I don't know what really is supposed to be funny about this film. The best idea, is to rent this film once, wach it once, and then return to the video store, even really early, if you hated it that much. But if your kids like this film, buy it. As the movie begins it is exact 3 months to the day, that Owen Baker (Liam Aiken) became a dog walker, and he wants a dog, and his Mom ((Molly Shannon) and his Dad (Kevin Nealon) promsied him, he can half one on that date, and he spents his morning walking his neighbor's dogs, wich on the way, comes across a dog on the loose, that helps the dog catcher, catch. At at the pound, Owen finds the dog again, and adopts the dog. Even though she tries to get Owen to wait until they move into thier new home.
Rating: Summary: A worthwhile, enjoyable film Review: Often, after seeing a movie, I wish I had spent my time more wisely. Not so with this film! My 7 and a half year old son both enjoyed this film. It has lots of laughs, a good-hearted responsible child as its hero, an adequate storyline, and features -- drumroll, please -- involved parents. Wow! Make more of these, Hollywood. And if you're wondering why there weren't more box office revenues from the film, look at the Marketing budget you allocated to Good Boy vs. Spider Man.
Rating: Summary: I actually give it 3.5! Review: Okay, so I went to the video store to rent a movie, but I couldn't find anything that I wanted to see, so I rented good boy! I know it's rated PG, but why PG, I mean it doesn't seem like a PG movie, more like G, because it's a kids movie. Anyways, I like the movie, but it's not one of the movies I'd buy right away!
Rating: Summary: Charming Movie for Families to Enjoy Review: Owen (Liam Aiken) has always loved dogs. He has a hard time making friends with children of his own age, so he spends his time with the neighborhood dogs and earns money as a dog walker. His mom and dad are into refurbishing homes so Owen moves a lot and has never been able to get a dog of his own, but he is finally able to wear them down. At the pound Owen chose a cute little dog that he named Hubble (voiced by Matthew Broderick) who refused to act like a normal dog. Owen found out why when he followed Hubble to his crashed spaceship where a freak electronic pulse enabled Owen to understand what dogs were saying. From there, Owen's life just gets weirder as Hubble explains that dogs were sent here from outer space to rule the planet, not to be pets for humans. What is even worse is that the Greater Dane, the ruler of all dogs, will be coming to Earth soon to see what progress the dogs have made. Hubble does his best to train the neighborhood dogs to act as rulers of the planet, but he fears that he is too late. When a series of events lead to a disastrous meeting with the Greater Dane, Owen must try and prevent a catastrophe from happening - for the Greater Dane has called for planet recall and is going to take all the Earth dogs back to the Dog Star... This was a charming, slightly silly children's movie that can be enjoyed by the whole family (adults included!). There is nothing particularly original about the plot, but Liam Aiken is charming as Owen and the dogs are hilarious as they try to act like rulers of the planet and teach Hubble how to catch a ball. The movie is simple, but it goes by very quickly and you never feel like the time is dragging. If your children love dogs or you are a dog lover yourself, you should not pass up the chance to see this great movie!
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