The Shaggy Dog may be silly, contrived and obvious, but it is wholesome, spirited family entertainment.
The Shaggy Dog (2006)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:102
Fresh:28
Rotten:74
Average Rating:4.5/10
Consensus: This Disney retread has neither inspiration nor originality, but may please moviegoers under the age of ten.
Theatrical Release:31-03-2006
Synopsis: Directed by Brian Robbins (VARSITY BLUES, THE PERFECT SCORE), this updated spin on THE SHAGGY DOG and THE SHAGGY D.A. features Tim Allen as Dave Douglas, a Deputy District Attorney who spends way... Directed by Brian Robbins (VARSITY BLUES, THE PERFECT SCORE), this updated spin on THE SHAGGY DOG and THE SHAGGY D.A. features Tim Allen as Dave Douglas, a Deputy District Attorney who spends way too much time at the office and way too little time with his family. His son, Joe (Spencer Breslin), feels completely misunderstood, and his wife, Rachel (Kristin Davis), feels like a single parent. To make matters worse, his teenage daughter, Carly (Zena Gray), considers Douglas the enemy because he is representing a pharmaceutical company, Grant and Strickland, in their case against her social studies teacher, who is accused of burning down their lab to protest animal testing. Douglas' life changes in an instant when animal-loving Carly brings home a friendly shaggy dog that bites the dog-disliking D.A. What Douglas doesn't know is that the dog has a secret. This Tibetan wonder dog is 300 years old, as smart as a human, and as playful as a pup. Soon, Douglas is exhibiting canine tendencies himself - a heightened sense of smell, a tendency to growl at opposing counsel in court, and an overwhelming urge to defend his front yard. His full transformation to a dog allows him rare insight into what his family really thinks and feels, and gives Douglas the opportunity to decide what is truly important. To further complicate matters, Grant and Strickland – the very company Douglas is representing – are certain that the dog that bit him holds the secret to the Fountain of Youth, and are determined to learn what it is. Robert Downey, Jr. stars as Dr. Kozak, Grant and Strickland's evil mastermind, and Philip Baker Hall plays head honcho Strickland. Jane Curtin and Danny Glover are also featured. [More]
Starring: Tim Allen, Kristin Davis, Zena Grey, Danny Glover
Starring: Tim Allen, Kristin Davis, Zena Grey, Danny Glover, Robert Downey, Spencer Breslin, Shawn Pyfrom, Joshua Leonard, Jarred Paul, Bess Wohl, Annabelle Gurwitch, Jane Curtin, Philip Baker Hall, Craig Kilborn, Laura Kightlinger, Coal
Director: Brian Robbins
Director: Brian Robbins
Composer: Alan Menken
Studio: Buena Vista Pictures
Reviews for The Shaggy Dog
Shaggy Dog is a subpar remake of a subpar movie that can only spawn subpar remakes.
Young ones will squeal for Allen's ear-scratching antics, but their parents with fond memories of the original will itch from beginning to end.
The Shaggy Dog is just what it wants to be -- wholesome, slapstick, family fun with nice animal rights and 'don't mess with mother nature' messages running beneath the surface.
More assembled than groomed, The Shaggy Dog should do enough tricks and act cute enough to amuse an audience that wants only to have its belly tickled.
The latest remake of the much-filmed Disney concept The Shaggy Dog tries to mine humor from animal testing, which should tell you everything you need to know about this one.
No one's going to argue with a movie that underscores the importance of paying attention to kids, but for me at least, the sight of [Tim] Allen running around on all fours failed to unleash howls of laughter.
The Shaggy Dog is a well-dispositioned but forgettable mutt without any new tricks.
It's a benignly bad creation, directed with one hand wrapped around the bullhorn and the other around a low-fat latte. The childhood affection we hold for vintage live-action Disney movies deserves better.
It's a pleasant surprise to find a movie that genuinely pitches itself at a child's level while also giving parents some real laughs.
Disney's remake of its 1959 flick The Shaggy Dog is pretty flea-bitten from the get-go.
...features an alarming number of serious actors trying to keep a straight face...
If the improv exercise was merely "Pretend you're a dog," Allen's got it down, but he never does anything unexpected.
Wait for iiittt...yes, there's Allen lifting his leg to pee. I checked my watch when the sound of Baja Men's "Who Let the Dogs Out?" surrounded me: fifty minutes in.
Just when you thought Disney had turned the corner on live action features ("Eight Below"), out comes this rather tired re-attempt at humor.
It's a silly story with over-the-top acting, and little to recommend.
at least it's not as excruciating as the commercials make it look. How's that for a glowing recommendation?
This Shaggy Dog merely slops on computer trickery and heartwarming message 101 plotting in the absence of creative screenwriting and inspired direction.
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