Dog Gone (2008) User Reviews

Maybe the result of community service

[jmatheson25 · 4/10 · 22 June 2017]

I would be proud of my child if they wrote this screenplay in high school. The fact that somebody is supporting their career with this is genuinely disturbing. It's loaded with Sandler levels of sophomoric humor, which I could do without - though there are plenty who eat it up and that's fine.

And yes, I get that it's a kids movie. But come on, there's more mental sustenance in a happy meal. If movies were food this would be the equivalent of serving Crisco, baking soda, sugar, and eggs and calling it chocolate chip cookies. It's missing some key ingredients, is nauseating to many, and revered by few.

Not that bad

[itsabacus2009 · 5/10 · 8 December 2022]

Okay, I know that clearly this movie is aimed towards kids or whatever, but it's still a decent clean wholesome movie that's actually pretty funny, if you fast forward the annoying kid scenes; Kevin Farley and French Stewart shine in this movie. Clearly this movie wasn't meant to be taken seriously or watched in such a way. Frankly I wish they would have found a more likeable kid to play the main Star; make the movie almost unwatchable because of him, thus the reason why I give it 5 stars instead of the 10 stars that it clearly deserves. So, yes it has its moments and it's still a decent movie regardless. Just keep an open mind while watching it.

Heart-warming moments between Owen and the dog

[greenbudgie · 6/10 · 8 May 2022]

A dog leash hanging on a hook in a home without a dog immediately reveals the sadness a boy feels for the loss of the dog he has loved. Owen is not allowed to have a replacement dog because of his sister's allergy to dog fur. So his need to care for a dog is shown when he needs to save a dog being used to smuggle flawless stolen diamonds. The comic trio of crooks who want to secrete the diamonds enter the story. Although very discreet with the diamonds they have a conspicuous get-away car of pink and white with a backfiring exhaust. Then there is the mystique of a mad mountain man who we can't be too sure is just a figment of Own's imagination. We're yearning for the hermit's backstory but mention of him is kept to a minimum until his role in the story is revealed. A number of the characters in the film didn't really qualify as necessary and I could actually done without them. I say this because I was feeling fatigued towards the end of the film and would have welcomed a shorter running time. But it is a nice movie with some heart-warming moments between Owen and the dog which he names Diamond. The crooks have some funny moments, my first choice of which is the head of the gang Blackie disguised as a blind nun wearing lipstick.

Enjoyable only when under the influence of hallucinatory drugs.

[roryy-11344 · 1/10 · 4 June 2018]

This is one of the most stupid films I have ever seen.

Boring Thin Family Movie

[artpf · 2/10 · 5 October 2013]

The movie drags on and on and frankly the plot has been done way better before many times.

The story is written very thinly and the characters are very much uninteresting.

Adult acting is broad and silly. The movie don't really ever know if it wants to be a full fledged comedy or something else.

Also, the bad guys look like cartoons.

In all I'd say stay away.

It's hard for even kids to keep their interest watching this fiasco.

It's truly a boring movie. I can't even recommend it as background noise.

Awfully stupid

[aster812-995-102449 · 1/10 · 30 June 2014]

I didn't expect much, given that it's a kids movie and the DVD came free with instant tea, but this was just awful.

It's a retarded, poor cousin of Home Alone. The script is tragically stupid, the acting is horrible. In fact - the dog is the best actor on this thing. I am a kind of masochist not to turn it off before it ended. Every scene I wondered - could it be any dumber? And yes, it could. It just got worse and worse every minute.

I liked French Steward in 3rd Rock From The Sun. Here he just acts like a cartoon. Screaming like an idiot while chasing the kid... Plus - his two interchangeable sidekicks as cartoonish as he is.

Plus, a major plot hole: a Labrador lives for 10+ years. The kid is about 12? And he mourns his dog that passed away of old age. His sister is about 16. And she's allergic to dogs. So the parents tormented one of their children since she was 6 or so to fulfill their other child's request. Way to go, mum and dad!

Saying that the kids will like it is just wrong. Mark my words: treat your children like morons and they'll grow up to be morons.

This is definitely a fun family movie!

[flicker1000 · 8/10 · 24 April 2008]

I saw this when it screened at the Santa Barbara Film Festival. A fun, good-natured family movie that reminds me of those memorable Disney comedies I saw when I was a kid - The Apple Dumpling Gang, No Deposit No Return, Pete's Dragon. I really loved those! My kids love them too on DVD, and Diamond Dog is definitely something I would take them to when it opens in theaters. I haven't seen a release date yet - maybe this Summer. Plenty of gags, slapstick and even some cartoon squirrels that should please Alvin and the Chipmunks fans. Disney Channel favorite Luke Benward (who sings a great song over the end credits) and the adorable pooch keep things moving along at a steady pace, while Kevin Farley upholds the family tradition and provides plenty of laughs (he's Chris Farley's brother). But this movie belongs to French Stewart, who is hilarious as the villain!

The kids won't be disappointed with this one.

Fun family adventure

[vchimpanzee · 7 January 2014]

At first I was going to say this is a harmless film for kids. Still, it was rated TV-PG-V when I saw it. I thought this was overly cautious because I've seen far worse with the same rating and a different font (TV PG with one font seems to be less family-friendly than TV-PG with a different font). I was also going to say it is a family movie which is not offensive other than possibly making anyone over the age of twelve feel dumber after seeing it. But no, the last few minutes can be compared favorably with the classic "Home Alone". And Owen's scientific abilities exceed those of Macauley Culkin's character. Plus we have an amazing thrill ride and a touching conclusion.

Owen tries to help the dog but it is clear our heroes don't want him to, and the results are comically painful. Also, hiding the dog from Lilly creates some opportunities for comedy.

When the cops don't believe Owen, that's fine, because the movie would have been over way too soon. A lot of wacky adventures are still to come, and the wackiest are coming toward the end. With lots more gadgets and plenty of physical comedy. And it is revealed whether there is a Mad Man of the Mountain.

The squirrels are quite realistic but still look animated. Same for the hornets, Stinky the Skunk, and Bill Murray's nemesis from "Caddyshack".

Did I mention how stupid the villains are?)

I don't think anyone will be watching this movie for the acting, though the girl playing Lilly stands out, and of course French Stewart does what he does best, which is playing incompetent morons. And he's the smartest of the three. Anyone who likes watching moronic bad guys get what they deserve should be happy. And there are several really funny gags like one involving a hot waitress in shorts. On the other hand, Owen's mom is entirely too perky. But we don't see much of her. Garrett Morris of "2 Broke Girls" doesn't really impress here.

It's like I said. This is a kids' adventure. Very funny and lots of fun, and not really harmful.

French Stewart is funny funny; Benward and the darling dog will capture your heart

[inkblot11 · 8/10 · 2 February 2021]

Owen (Luke Benward) is just-about-a teenager and is a wizard at invention. He has perfected a way to catapault papers on his paper route right into the hands or the porches of his customers. In addition, he has a secret hideaway tree house in the woods nearby, with many booby traps set to keep unwanted visitors out. Rumor has it that there is a hermit in the woods but only Owen truly believes this. One day, the boy's parents go away to a convention and Owen's older sister Lily is in charge. The two siblings get along in most respects, although they trade barbs now and then. Meanwhile, three thieves have abducted some diamonds and hidden them somewhere in a dog's collar while they travel miles and miles to meet their "buyer". Leader Blackie (French Stewart) has dressed in an Nun's habit to be "incognito" while his co-horts rent a conspicuous pink and white 50's car for their travels. Naturally, these men pass through Owen territory. Owen guesses at once that the dog is dognapped and he manages to lure him away from the three dimwits. Now, the trio is after Owen but they are up for the fight of their lives! Remember, Owen has the inventions to make these guys suffer boings on the head and many, many mishaps. Who will end up with the dog? This adorable family film has high production qualities, an engaging cast and darling dog, wonderful sets near Cheney, Washington and more. Most of all, it has French Stewart who is one of the funniest actors on the planet and will delight audiences with his comic delivery. Anyone searching for the next family night happening with do well to chose Dog Gone.

Great for kids!

[karmap80 · 9/10 · 20 May 2015]

This is a terrific movie for kids ages 8 and under. My son is 6 years old and it's so hard to find a movie that isn't a cartoon, but is age appropriate (meaning that he can understand and follow the plot). We watched this for free with Amazon Prime! Both my kids loved it (ages 4 and 6). He is watching it for the second time right now. It has a great lesson in the end. Obviously, if you are an adult and you even look once at the cover, you know this is not going to be an intellectual movie with top acting, but most kids don't care or need that. The plot is good, funny, and I liked the ending. The kid in the movie is great and likable. I recommend for young children.

Strictly for kids

[Wizard-8 · 19 February 2014]

Whether you are a kid or the parent of a kid, chances are that when you watch "Dog Gone", you'll experience a severe case of deja-vu. Echoes of other movies - much better movies - will rear their heads throughout. The movie that it copies the most is "Home Alone", but this family movie also rips off "Caddyshack"! Maybe this rip-off could have worked, but unless you are a kid - a really REALLY little kid - this movie is tough to sit through. It's so broadly played by its cast that you can't get involved with the main protagonist and the dog that he cares about. It's also at times so badly directed and edited that it takes you a few seconds to realize what just happened. And I won't get into the bizarre casting of Garrett Morris as the town's police chief. As I said, maybe really little kids might like this movie, but come on parents, surely you can find something better to entertain your kids!

Brilliant family entertainment!

[iStone57 · 9/10 · 11 March 2019]

Although similar movies and storylines exist, this one brilliantly continues to capture the imagination through the duration of the movie. There are a few twists and turns in the plot, and enough comic relief to keep children of all ages giggling. This movie is wonderful, wholesome family entertainment. It's one of those films that I would (and will) watch again and again.