of 1 people found the following review helpful General Goofyness Makes ROBO-DOG Sit For A Few Laughs By Edward L Zimmerman TOP 1000 REVIEWER on January 10, 2016 Format: DVD All the way back in 1979, I was one of the lucky few who saw the flick C.H.O.M.P.S. theatrically. Basically, this was the story of a promising inventor who fashioned together the world's first bionic dog ('bionics' were all the rage at that time), and he had to do all he could to keep it out of the hands of those greedy corporate interests. It was largely a forgettable film, but what I can recall about it is more personal; the humor was largely kiddie stuff, and I – on the cusp of manhood – really saw much of the jokes beneath me. Still, I loved the concept, so I'm not surprised Hollywood has found it again, this time in the form of ROBO-DOG.
(NOTE: The following review will contain minor spoilers necessary solely for the discussion of plot and/or characters. If you're the type of reader who prefers a review entirely spoiler-free, then I'd encourage you to skip down to the last three paragraphs for my final assessment. If, however, you're accepting of a few modest hints at 'things to come,' then read on )
From the product packaging: "He sits, plays fetch, and he can run at super speed, bark at incredible volume, and speak like a human being! He's Robo-dog, the most amazing mechanical mutt ever invented "
There's a lot more (isn't there always), but the straight skinny is that ROBO-DOG owes quite a bit of its plot line to 1979's C.H.O.M.P.S. Granted, this modern version is much centered around 'the family unit' (kid Tyler loses his lovable pooch, Dog, in the opening segment, so inventor/dad Tom decides to build him a canine replacement), but the comparison's still valid: greedy corporate interests hope to seize the dog (or its power supply) in order to exploit the tech for personal gain. Because even the children in today's audiences expect a bit more, Robo-dog is far much closer to 'Inspector Gadget' than he is man's best friend, and all of it plays well to the picture's overall goofiness. (There isn't a serious bone in its body, with the exception of a few scenes dealing with the death of the family pet.)
Thankfully, DOG is full of familiar faces, giving it the feel of a family event. STARSHIP TROOPERS' Patrick Muldoon plays dear ol' dad with his tongue firmly planted in his cheek. The lovely Olivia D'Abo will have the adult males in the crowd wondering where she's been all of collective lives. (Hubba hubba!) And STAR TREK's Wallace Shawn plays the real-life incarnation of THE SIMPSONS' Mr. Burns in only the way Wallace Shawn can.
Now, this isn't to say that DOG is a great picture. Really, it isn't. What it is is essentially 90 minutes of wholesome, kiddie fun. In that respect, there's absolutely nothing wrong with it, and methinks the young ones in your house might have a great time with this shtick and the bad guys' antics. For the adults? Well, like I said: it does have Olivia to ogle, and I suspect some of the adult ladies might not have any problem studying Muldoon's good looks for the duration.
ROBO-DOG (2015) is produced by Consolidated Media Holdings, In The Dark Entertainment, and Prism Pictures. DVD distribution is being handled by the reliable RLJ Entertainment. As for the technical specifications? Meh. It's all shot and produced with about TV-grade craftsmanship – think of this as a Disney Channel wannabe – with some modestly laughable CGI at times but its robo-heart is always in the right place. Lastly, there are no special features.
RECOMMENDED. This Dove-approved ROBO-DOG is probably just what little tykes like in their SciFi-lite entertainment. Outside of the obvious robot dog, it has goofily conceived bad guys, broad inoffensive humor, and an easy-to-follow plot. (Mind you, adults may find themselves rolling their eyes, but such is the nature of family entertainment occasionally, no?) It may prompt some unfortunate conversation about the life and death of the family pet, but all of it is handled here with a seriousness kids can find easy to grasp.
In the interests of fairness, I'm pleased to disclose that the fine folks at RLJ Entertainment provided me with a DVD of ROBO-DOG by request for the expressed purposes of completing this review; and their contribution to me in no way, shape, or form influenced my opinion of it.
(NOTE: The following review will contain minor spoilers necessary solely for the discussion of plot and/or characters. If you're the type of reader who prefers a review entirely spoiler-free, then I'd encourage you to skip down to the last three paragraphs for my final assessment. If, however, you're accepting of a few modest hints at 'things to come,' then read on )
From the product packaging: "He sits, plays fetch, and he can run at super speed, bark at incredible volume, and speak like a human being! He's Robo-dog, the most amazing mechanical mutt ever invented "
There's a lot more (isn't there always), but the straight skinny is that ROBO-DOG owes quite a bit of its plot line to 1979's C.H.O.M.P.S. Granted, this modern version is much centered around 'the family unit' (kid Tyler loses his lovable pooch, Dog, in the opening segment, so inventor/dad Tom decides to build him a canine replacement), but the comparison's still valid: greedy corporate interests hope to seize the dog (or its power supply) in order to exploit the tech for personal gain. Because even the children in today's audiences expect a bit more, Robo-dog is far much closer to 'Inspector Gadget' than he is man's best friend, and all of it plays well to the picture's overall goofiness. (There isn't a serious bone in its body, with the exception of a few scenes dealing with the death of the family pet.)
Thankfully, DOG is full of familiar faces, giving it the feel of a family event. STARSHIP TROOPERS' Patrick Muldoon plays dear ol' dad with his tongue firmly planted in his cheek. The lovely Olivia D'Abo will have the adult males in the crowd wondering where she's been all of collective lives. (Hubba hubba!) And STAR TREK's Wallace Shawn plays the real-life incarnation of THE SIMPSONS' Mr. Burns in only the way Wallace Shawn can.
Now, this isn't to say that DOG is a great picture. Really, it isn't. What it is is essentially 90 minutes of wholesome, kiddie fun. In that respect, there's absolutely nothing wrong with it, and methinks the young ones in your house might have a great time with this shtick and the bad guys' antics. For the adults? Well, like I said: it does have Olivia to ogle, and I suspect some of the adult ladies might not have any problem studying Muldoon's good looks for the duration.
ROBO-DOG (2015) is produced by Consolidated Media Holdings, In The Dark Entertainment, and Prism Pictures. DVD distribution is being handled by the reliable RLJ Entertainment. As for the technical specifications? Meh. It's all shot and produced with about TV-grade craftsmanship – think of this as a Disney Channel wannabe – with some modestly laughable CGI at times but its robo-heart is always in the right place. Lastly, there are no special features.
RECOMMENDED. This Dove-approved ROBO-DOG is probably just what little tykes like in their SciFi-lite entertainment. Outside of the obvious robot dog, it has goofily conceived bad guys, broad inoffensive humor, and an easy-to-follow plot. (Mind you, adults may find themselves rolling their eyes, but such is the nature of family entertainment occasionally, no?) It may prompt some unfortunate conversation about the life and death of the family pet, but all of it is handled here with a seriousness kids can find easy to grasp.
In the interests of fairness, I'm pleased to disclose that the fine folks at RLJ Entertainment provided me with a DVD of ROBO-DOG by request for the expressed purposes of completing this review; and their contribution to me in no way, shape, or form influenced my opinion of it.