Tim Allen is a prosecutor who is going, as it were, to the dogs in this revisiting of the old Disney film, which is far livelier than its namesake.
The Shaggy Dog (2006)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
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
The witless, cliché-ridden script -- the effort of a total of five writers -- doesn't do [Allen] any favors.
The movie is just this side of terrible. It misses all the charm and fun of the original.
Devoid of cleverness or anything approaching reinvention, the film relies on special effects and its cast, human and animal, for its limited appeal. Hopefully, it will be limited enough to spare us Son of the Shaggy Dog.
There is an age above which this movie is unnecessary, and it may be in the low double digits.
The story is too silly to play to older kids. And there are more than a few moments that may give parents of younger ones pause.
At least it is not a beast as dull as Doogal or as piddling as The Pink Panther.
Just when you thought Doogal set the lowest bar possible for a dog comedy, here comes The Shaggy Dog, a pointless remake of the 1959 Disney classic.
Quintessential Disney cannibalization, with no wit or energy to justify its existence.
Like Curious George and a half-dozen other recent movies aimed at children, The Shaggy Dog sandwiches in themes that speak to adults, resulting in a weird, unsatisfying combination of slapstick and Chicken Soup for a Parent's Soul.
The lab experiments include CGI genetic cross-breeds like a dog-frog combo that exemplify this movie's own uneasy mixture of slapstick and sentiment.
Tim Allen is coasting on a lot of borrowed equity from his Home Improvement days.
Tim Allen wreaks hilarious havoc with an uncanny canine-like performance.
The film drags in the homestretch, as the filmmakers needlessly shuffle characters around the city.
Ranks as one of Disney's weakest theatrical releases in years. Woof, indeed.
A mongrel marriage of frantic physical farce and sub-standard CGI work that turns out vaguely creepy rather than cute.
A retread of the 1959 original, the comedy harkens back to a time when the studio was creative, rather than making any attempt to try something new itself. Talk about rolling over and playing dead.
Latest News for The Shaggy Dog
March 04, 2008:
Tim Allen to Make Directorial Debut
You may know him as Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor, or the star of comedies such as the Santa Clause films and that Shaggy Dog remake, but what Tim Allen really wants to do is direct. More...
March 22, 2007:
Box Office Guru Preview: Six New Films Try to Shoot Down Spartans From #1 Spot
A half-dozen new soldiers enter the marketplace this weekend trying to topple the kingdom of "300" which has reigned supreme at the box office for the past two weeks. More...
March 15, 2007:
Box Office Guru Preview: "Premonition" Leads New Pics into Battle Against "300"
Though a highly-paid and well-liked star, Sandra Bullock has never been a big pull on opening weekend for her films. Now the actress hopes to reach a career high with her new... More...
March 08, 2007:
Box Office Guru Preview: "300" Prepares to Conquer Multiplexes
For the first time in nearly a month, North America's most popular movie won't be about motorcycles. Warner Bros. goes back in time 2,500 years for the epic war saga... More...
More DVDs
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 15% 15% | The Ugly Truth |
| 98% 98% | Up |
| 36% 36% | G.I. Joe: The Rise of … |
| 52% 52% | The Taking of Pelham 1… |
| 45% 45% | Ice Age: Dawn of the D… |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 45% 45% | Shorts |
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Around The Network
- The Shaggy Dog at Rotten Tomatoes
- The Shaggy Dog at IGN
- The Shaggy Dog at AskMen
Fresh Links
Featured

Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.

Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.



Top Critic

