50
Metascore
14 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 75RogerEbert.comTomris LafflyRogerEbert.comTomris LafflyThis may all sound too shameless and syrupy, but to its credit, A Dog’s Way Home scratches the surface of something I, as a pit bull obsessive, have never seen a “dog movie” do.
- 63The Associated PressLindsey BahrThe Associated PressLindsey BahrAlthough it might be a stretch to categorize this as a movie, A Dog’s Way Home is harmless enough and a nice little adventure that’s fit for the whole family. But you might want to have the tissues ready.
- 60The Hollywood ReporterFrank ScheckThe Hollywood ReporterFrank ScheckThe film pretty much packs every canine cliché imaginable into its running time, but one look into the soulful eyes of its four-legged star will melt all but the coldest of hearts.
- 60VarietyCourtney HowardVarietyCourtney HowardFor every shameless trick the filmmakers employ to pluck our heartstrings, resonant chords are struck elsewhere, teaching audiences about family, the power of unconditional love, and the ripple effects of compassion.
- 50The A.V. ClubKatie RifeThe A.V. ClubKatie RifeThis year’s entry into the winter animal-movie canon, A Dog’s Way Home, comes this close to just being a simple, cute animal movie, until the humans complicate things.
- 50The New York TimesGlenn KennyThe New York TimesGlenn KennyAs ridiculous as it gets, and that’s plenty, A Dog’s Way Home manages to serve up a one- to two-hankie finale, depending on the extent of your dog-person-ness.
- 50Chicago TribuneKatie WalshChicago TribuneKatie WalshEven the cute factor of A Dog's Way Home can't obscure its narrative weaknesses.
- 50Movie NationRoger MooreMovie NationRoger MooreDog’s Way Home is aimed at the very young, so don’t expect anything challenging. It moves along but felt limp and kind of lifeless, for all the sentimentality Smith & Co. serve up.
- 38TheWrapYolanda MachadoTheWrapYolanda MachadoPutting a dog in crisis might seem like an easy way to create a great story, but in a family film, featuring a helpless canine in constant peril plays as emotionally manipulative and, frankly, slightly traumatizing. A Dog’s Way Home is a joyless jaunt that offers an adorable canine star and not much else.