Benji

Rating:
Summary: Great movie but very hard to find!
Review: I think Benji is a great film. I use to watch it a lot when I was lil but the state where I live doesn't even have Benji available anywhere. I wonder why it doesn't. Probably because some people got tired of watching Benji or it's not in stock at all anymore. It also doesn't even come on TV that much as it use to. I remember when it use to come on The Disney Channel a bunch and I just kept on watching it and watching it. I never got tried of it. I also like the latest recent movie Benji the Hunted that was great too not as good as Benji though but it's still enjoyable to watch.

Rating:
Summary: Canine Cleverness
Review: It was a beautiful film. I love that little dog. He's one of my favorite actors. And Christopher Walken was okay, too. But, Peter Breck really steals the show. He's even better than he was as Nick Barkley in the Big Valley. I wonder why he never won the oscar for that role? John Mellancamp really outdid himself when he directed this one. He's an even better directer than he is a singer. Lasse even makes a little cameo appearance in it that's bound to please the little ones. It's a great film for the whole family, even the old people. What a gem!

Rating:
Summary: A Benji Fanatic
Review: Ive been a major fan of Benji when i was a child growing up in the 80's and i was so into this movie that it was the only movie i always wanted to watch. this movie is PERFECT for boys and guys cause its a dog movie and its also perfect for kids to enjoy because its a movie thats seen from a animals point of view. Benji is THE most popular dog in the ENTIRE wold. He outstrips Lassie and Rin Tin Tin even Beethoven. Id totally recomend that EVERYONE buy this DVD and any other Benji movie for each one is filled with memorable and enjoyable scenes. youll fall madly in love with this dog ^_^

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Movie!!
Review: Joe Camp's "Benji" (1974) is a classic in the truest sense of the word. Starring one of the most incredibly expressive canine actors of all time, "Benji" is a wonderful family film for kids (and adults) of all ages. In fact, it is hard to imagine anyone not liking this timeless film.

The Benji of the title is a stray dog who has seemingly been adopted by everyone in the small town in which he resides. In the extended opening sequence, Benji makes his morning rounds, where he greets all his human friends, each of whom have a different name for him. But it is obvious his heart belongs to the Chapman children, Paul and Cindy (Allen Fiuzat and Cynthia Smith), and their housekeeper Mary (Patsy Garrett). Unfortunately, their father, Dr. Chapman (Peter Breck), won't allow them to keep him. Still, Benji has a full and carefree life with all his friends, and even takes care of and romances a lost female pooch he finds one day. Then things take a turn for the worse when kidnappers show up in the old, abandoned house he calls home. And who should they have kidnapped, but Benji's beloved Paul and Cindy, and it's not long before Benji realizes it's up to him to save the day.

What makes "Benji" work so well is that the dog who plays Benji (Higgins) is so expressive he is seemingly able to convey thought, so there is no need for any corny voice over work for the audience to understand exactly what Benji is up to at any time during the movie. Also, Camp films the vast majority of the film from Benji's viewpoint, so the audience actually sees and understands everything as Benji would. It doesn't hurt that the darned dog is so adorable and easy to root for. He is given able support by his human costars, whose performances are uneven but perfectly suitable for the proceedings.

But then again, it's useless to even discuss performance or production values in a film like this. The important thing is will it entertain children and the answer is a resounding "yes!" Better yet, unlike much of the dreck that passes as children's fare these days (with the exception of the "Shrek" films and the Pixar stuff) adults will be as entertained as their children. And even though things take a sinister turn and one of the kidnappers is a sadistic, dog-kicking creep, there is nothing here that is unsuitable for even the youngest child, and parents can rest assured that everything ends happily.

If ever a film deserved a possessive credit, then it's Joe Camp's "Benji," since Camp wrote, produced, directed and practically released it on his own since in 1974 no studio in Hollywood would release it. Therefore, Camp deserves all the credit for creating one of the best family films of the past thirty years, with an invaluable assist by Higgins' trainer, the remarkable Frank Inn. Both men became minor celebrities after the release of "Benji," and followed it up with a less successful, but still entertaining, sequel named "For the Love of Benji" that takes place in Greece. And "Benji" even can be called an "Academy Award Nominee" in that it's bouncy theme song, "I Feel Love", sung by Charlie Rich, was nominated for a Best Song Oscar.

In all, you cannot go wrong with "Benji." It appears to have been re-released on DVD thanks to the new "Benji" movie that opened a couple of weeks ago. This is good news since it is very hard to find, so snatch it up while you have a chance. Even though there are no extras and only fullscreen versions available (why oh why?), its picture and sound quality are stellar and it ranks as a good buy regardless. Your kids will love you for it. **** (out of *****)

Rating:
Summary: Conservative Parent Review
Review: My 7 year old son and I just finishing watching "Benji". Benji running endlessly thru the city streets to 1970's music is rather long. But parents should be aware, part of the plot shows small children being kidnapped, with their mouths gagged, being held for ransom. The kidnappers are shown with handguns, and it appears the kidnapper kicks a small dog.

Benji and his girlfriend, Tiffany, are extremely well trained dogs. But the story may be too much for some small children. My suggestion is to have the parent watch the movie, before your child does. If I would have done this, my son would not have watched the movie.

Rating:
Summary: Not Good
Review: Though cute, I found this movie to be very boring. Not much happened the first hour or so of the movie, and the only exciting part was at the end. The scenes where Benji ran from place to place were way too long, and the music was far from being very entertaining. The only reason I watched this movie all the way through was because my friend wanted to watch it. Hopefully, the new Benji movie will be way better then this movie was! Not that I plan to see it.

Rating:
Summary: FANTASTIC
Review: What a triumph! They don't make 'em like this anymore! Kids, parents, adults without kids -- who can resist this flick! It's got action, it's got heart -- it's got it all!