 The Shaggy Dog (2006)
I think that it is only right to start off this movie review of the remake of "The Shaggy Dog" starring Tim Allen by saying that I walked into this movie biased toward the movie's two main stars. The first star is of course Tim Allen himself. I started my life enjoying Tim Allen in movie roles. The problem is that Tim Allen apparently does not know when to stop when it comes to movie role dads. I am exhausted with Allen playing well meaning dysfunctional fathers. However, Allen's dog costar helps get the movie back on track by being a Bearded Collie. I have true love for this breed because are fun to look at and have funny and sweet personalities.
Allen plays Dave Douglas a busy attorney who is prosecuting the movie villain Dr. Kozak (Robert Downey Jr.). Dr. Kozak was running cruel tests on a 300 year old Bearded Collie from Tibet to find out its secrets of longevity. The canine escapes from Dr. Kozak. After being adopted by the Douglas family the Bearded Collie bites Dave. Through some strange Disney explanation of dog and man DNA Dave begins turning into a Bearded Collie himself and then at equally inconvenient times turns back into a man. Allen does try to act in this movie but the problem with " The Shaggy Dog" is the script itself. It is a comedy that just isn't that funny. Allen lifting his leg to pee on a hydrant while in human form just isn't that funny. The same can be said of Allen doing chores while in dog form.
The movie also tries to do too much within the 98 minutes of film. There are other actors in the movie but the screen time is either too short or not very compelling to add to the overall story. The film is also not sure where it wasn't to go in terms of overall theme. Is this supposed to be a film about a neglectful father who learns to value his family? Is it supposed to be a voice for stopping animal testing? Is it supposed to be a satire about how we humans act? In the end the film becomes nothing but confusing. I think that Allen worked hard with the limited material and script he was offered. I also think that the Bearded Collie(s) that were in this movie performed their tricks beautifully, but no amount of charm could stop this film from whimpering. I give this movie a Case of Fleas.
Tadashi Rubright
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