From Deseret News archives:
The Shaggy Dog
Shaggy Dog, The
Film review
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.
Not only is this comic fantasy clueless about what a bad idea it is to make fun of such a decidedly unfunny concept, it's also desperately low-brow, much more so than any of the previous incarnations.
In fact, about the only thing it doesn't stoop to thankfully is dog-doo jokes. They probably just forgot.
The film also finds several talented performers slumming, led by Tim Allen, who stars as Dave Douglas, a workaholic deputy district attorney.
He's supposed to prosecute a popular high school teacher (Joshua Leonard) who is accused of setting a fire in a research lab. That's put Dave at odds with his teenage daughter, Carly (Zena Grey), who supports her instructor and even helped rescue one of the test animals, a sheepdog. She brings the pooch home, not knowing that it is actually a nearly immortal Tibetan.
This dim-witted, uninspired material offers little for the appealing supporting cast. Kristin Davis, who plays Dave's neglected wife, serves as straight man to several unfunny Allen gags, and it's unclear why Danny Glover is even in the film, beyond picking up a paycheck.
Allen's one memorable contribution to the film comes toward the end, when he utters his infamous "To infinity and beyond!" catch phrase from the "Toy Story" movies. However, all that does is remind us of how much better and more inspired the "Toy Story" films are and how much we'd rather be watching them.
"The Shaggy Dog" is rated PG for crude humor and gags relating to animal behavior and bodily functions, supposedly comic violence (some slapstick, animal shenanigans and some automotive mayhem), some drug content (use of hypodermic needles, mostly), and scattered use of mild profanity (religiously based). Running time: 99 minutes.
E-mail: jeff@desnews.com
Comments
Cast: Tim Allen, Robert Downey Jr., Kristin Davis
Find a Movie Theater
- Alta's Ohai is Ms. Soccer 2009 4:37 p.m.
- Senators want food tax restored 4:35 p.m.
- 2 more in GOP may challenge Bennett 4:04 p.m.
- Miles, Saban back SEC officials 3:46 p.m.
- Baby sitter charged in infant death 3:45 p.m.
- Hockey HOF class gets its rings 3:03 p.m.
- Phelps to test old suits at World Cup 3:03 p.m.
- Flyers get QB back for semifinal tilt 3:02 p.m.
- Former DPS head pleads guilty 2:46 p.m.
- Hasan's lawyer to meet with him 2:45 p.m.
- TCU showdown has big implications
- Seniors helped BYU regroup
- Hope for single moms
- Lambert surprisingly tops news
- Bystanders framed for child porn
- Korver and Miles to be evaluated
- Utah Jazz Extra: Whose hot/not
- Newhouse Hotel, an explosive end
- TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
- 12 high schools ready for 'The Turf'
- Gay advocates trek to LDS office
260 - House passes health care bill
221 - Lobo suspended
176 - TCU showdown has big implications
164 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
153 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
130 - Thousands protest health bill
110 - Provo company innovating engines
108 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
108 - RSL rallies to advance
103
You ought to actually look at the facts before spouting off. Max was good...
i do not like byu
So if I'm paying for my own private insurance that means I don't have to pay...
Re: 4:05 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009 - The problem with your argument is that it...
Obviously "Anonymous" has never had an addiction nor known anyone with one....
Im not too worried after watching the Grand game. But I bet South summit is...
Oh we'll pay for the gall bladder later. When the poor girl is in severe pain...
You are missing the point. Did McVeigh and Nichols chant religious slogans...
killemall, You are one sick pup! Karma is a mother that is all I can say and...
Ok, everybody who has been at their jobs for more than 15 years - it's time...





You can be the first to comment on this story.