Opening Day: 9 March 2006

Synopsis :

Tim Allen transforms from family dad to family dog and back again in this fresh update of the Disney comedy classic, THE SHAGGY DOG. It all begins when workaholic Deputy D.A. Dave Douglas (ALLEN) takes on a case involving an animal laboratory – one that will take him away yet again from his wife (KRISTIN DAVIS) and kids (ZENA GREY and SPENCER BRESLIN), who already yearn for his all-too-distracted attention. But when Dave is accidentally infected with a top-secret, genetic-mutation serum, everything he thought he knew about being himself and his family changes. Yet with his newly perked-up ears, and his front-row seat on the household carpet, Dave is able to gain a whole new perspective into his family’s secrets and dreams. Now, he wants nothing more than to stop fetching and return to fathering – only first he’ll have to stop the evil forces behind the serum . . . in an adventure that will bring the whole family together.

Movie Review:

Originally released in 1959, this 2006 remake has been adapted to suit our times. Equipped with a better storyline, along with a ton of CGI that has been aptly used, director Brian Robbins (executive producer of TV series "One Tree Hill") gets the comical Tim Allen (Christmas With The Kranks) to behave like a dog trapped in man's body.

The story begins somewhere in Tibet, where a 300 year old Tibetan sheepdog is sitting amongst monks praying. Evil bad guys from a pharmaceutical company have dog-napped it in attempt to find out the secret of it’s everlasting youth.

The movie then shifts back to America, where we are introduced to Dave Douglas (Tim Allen). Dave is a Los Angeles star district attorney prosecuting an animal-activist who also happens to be his daughter's (Zena Grey) favourite social studies teacher. The teacher is being accused of firebombing the pharmaceutical company because they experiment on animals. Amidst his involvement with the case, Dave is too busy to realize what is going on with his family. His wife, Rebecca (Kristen Davis of Sex and the City) feels neglected, his daughter treats him like the enemy and his son, Josh (Spencer Breslin last seen in Cat in the Hat) seems like he is hiding something from Dad.

The real action begins when Dave gets bitten by the sheepdog, now renamed Shaggy by his kids. Furry little dog-like blood cells flow into Dave’s bloodstream and infect him with an ancient serum that gradually transforms him into a furry dog.

From shaking like a dog after a bath, to growling at opposing counsel and judge in the courtroom right to the moment where he shape-shifts into a dog, it is hilarious to see Tim Allen slowing transforming into a canine as he takes on all sorts of doglike movements and behaviours.

The special effects go into high gear, as he grows a long floppy tongue, gain super sensitive hearing and the ability to run on all fours before turning into a sheepdog. Along with the wacky lab animals like a freakish dog-frog, a cobra-canine with a furry tail, and rabbits, monkeys and rats that bark, the whole thing is just very bizarre.

As Shaggy, Dave is able to gain an entirely different perspective into the various members of his family. Inspired by his new found knowledge, Dave wants nothing more than to go back to being a father so that he can set things right. But before he can do all that, he first has to stop the evil genius who started this whole fiasco, Dr. Kozak (Robert Downey Jr.).

This movie isn’t Oscar material, but it is fine as a light-hearted affair with it’s interesting plot and good actors. Like a PETA activist's fantasy, this is one for dog lovers and the family. Kids will enjoy this, and adults will find this rather amusing, if not entertaining.


Movie Rating:

(Not a fantastic movie, but not a bad one either – take the kids to watch and enjoy this family comedy.

Review by Jolene Tan