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Herald Rating: ***
School holidays are upon us and that's about the single reason for sitting through this pleasant but underwhelming family flick.
This is a lazy effort from Disney. It has all the elements you would think they need to make a success of this doggy tale - cute dogs lined up doing all manner of tricks and stunts, clever animation which makes it look totally believable that dogs are talking, great comic talent such as James Belushi, Patrick Warburton and Jason Lee as the voice of Underdog, and the Superman story as inspiration. Unfortunately, the result is a schmaltzy, soppy, and predictable family drama.
Underdog is a normal, unassuming beagle who is kicked out of the police for being unable to spot the difference between a ham and a bomb.
Not the smartest puppy on the block, he's captured by an evil scientist and when he later attempts to escape the scientist's lab, a mysterious DNA serum is spilt on him, turning him into a flying, talking superdog with amazing strength and abilities.
Once out on the street, our beagle is hit by a car belonging to ex-cop turned security guard Dan Unger (Belushi), who takes the beagle home to his son Jack (Neuberger) hoping it might just be a catalyst for father and son bonding.
Initially Jack isn't really interested in this dog they call Shoeshine, until he reveals his special abilities.
A reluctant superhero, Shoeshine suffers from a lack of self-confidence but with Jack's encouragement, and the desire to impress a certain poodle called Polly (voiced by Amy Adams), he starts making a name for himself in Capitol City, under the pseudonym Underdog - and dressed in a cape and shrunken sweatshirt.
Back in the 60s Underdog was a classic cartoon created by General Mills' advertising agency to help sell their products (their cereals can be seen on the Unger kitchen table in this film).
I can't say how those who remember and enjoyed the cartoon will relate to this new version, but I can tell you that it is aimed at those young enough not to have heard of the original.
Cast: Alex Neuberger, James Belushi, Peter Dinklage, Jason Lee, Patrick Warburton, Amy Adams Director: Frederik Du Chau Running time: 81 mins Rating: PG, violence Screening: SkyCity, Berkeley, Hoyts Verdict: The catchphrase "There's no need to fear, Underdog is here" isn't as reassuring as it should be.
