Neither memorable nor innovative, Firehouse Dog ekes out success by executing a familiar family film formula faithfully.
Firehouse Dog (2007)
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Reviews Counted:79
Fresh:31
Rotten:48
Average Rating:4.9/10
Consensus: Firehouse Dog’s cute premise is ruined with endless fart and poop jokes, and an overlong run time.
Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for sequences of action peril, some mild crude humor and language
Runtime: 1 hr 51 mins
Genre: Childrens
Theatrical Release:Apr 4, 2007 Wide
Box Office: $13,881,654
Synopsis: Rex, Hollywood's top-grossing canine, is known for his extreme athletic abilities and diva-like demeanor. His perks package, rivaling that of any A-list celebrity, includes Kobe beef, a poodle... Rex, Hollywood's top-grossing canine, is known for his extreme athletic abilities and diva-like demeanor. His perks package, rivaling that of any A-list celebrity, includes Kobe beef, a poodle harem, and a diamond collar. Rex’s luck – and Hollywood high life – runs out while shooting a commercial; an aerial stunt goes awry, leading Rex’s handlers to presume he’s dead. But Rex is merely lost – alone, filthy and unrecognizable in an unfamiliar city. Chased by animal control, he takes refuge in grubby abandoned lofts, a far cry from his former luxurious lifestyle. Shane Fahey (Josh Hutcherson), a bright but rebellious 12-year-old, has exasperated his father Connor (Bruce Greenwood) for the umpteenth time. A single parent and captain of the rundown inner city fire station known as Dogpatch, Connor is charged with inspiring the sad-sack company: veteran and firehouse cook Joe Musto (Bill Nunn), the super-fit and strong-willed mother hen Pepita “Pep” Clemente (Mayte Garcia), the exhausted family-man Lionel Bradford (Scotch Ellis Loring), and the calendar-worthy rookie Terence Kahn (Teddy Sears). The team is still coping with the recent loss of their former captain, Connor’s brother. Shane is also troubled by his uncle’s death, and he’s been acting out by ditching school. As Connor reprimands Shane for his unruly behavior, Dogpatch gets a call to put out a blaze tearing through the lofts where Rex has been hiding Trapped on the loft’s burning roof, Rex makes a death-defying leap and is rescued by Connor. Once they are safe on the ground, Shane is tasked with finding the mutt’s owner. The pompous, fastidious Rex and the troubled, messy Shane immediately clash. Unaware of Rex’s true identity, Shane becomes his reluctant new master. But his attitude changes when he discovers Rex’s spectacular skills, which the firefighters put to use during rescue calls. Inspired by the dog’s talent and courage, Dogpatch makes Rex its mascot. It’s just the boost the company needs – and what Shane and Connor need to help bring them together. But Rex’s fame has drawn the attention of his Hollywood handlers who want him back – while father and son face a deadly challenge from an unexpected source. -- © 20th Century Fox [More]
Starring: Josh Hutcherson, Bruce Greenwood, Bree Turner, Dash Mihok
Starring: Josh Hutcherson, Bruce Greenwood, Bree Turner, Dash Mihok, Steven Culp, Mayte Garcia, Bill Nunn
Director: Todd Holland
Director: Todd Holland
Screenwriter: Mike Werb, Claire-Lee Lim, Michael Colleary
Producer: Michael Colleary, Mike Werb
Composer: Jeff Cardoni
Studio: 20th Century Fox
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Release:
Mar 17, 2009
Reviews for Firehouse Dog
The real question is: How does it go from setup A to inevitable payoff B? Answer: with humor, humanity and production values a cut above your average boy-and-his-dog movie.
Perhaps the lesson to be learned is that just because we can use computer technology to give dogs goofy faces, that doesn’t mean we should.
The innocuous family film Firehouse Dog runs 111 minutes, which puts it a solid 21 minutes over what should be the legal limit for this sort of thing.
Firehouse Dog isn't quite the equivalent of the 1999 talking-infant bomb Baby Geniuses, but at times it's close enough for discomfort.
Is it impossible to make an exciting, warm-hearted live-action movie for kids that doesn't insult the taste and intelligence of adults who take them to theaters?
It's aimed squarely at primary schoolers, but they'll probably get fidgety before its 111 minutes elapse.
Like a loyal pet, Firehouse Dog ends up being a fun family experience all ages will enjoy.
Once it figures out it's more drama than comedy, Firehouse Dog does the job.
Concentrates on plot, lots and lots of plot, a butt-numbing 111 minutes of plot with at least six subplots. Unless your child has the patience of a saint, I'd suggest proceeding with caution.
The dog is as cute as you’d expect, while Hutcherson gives a characteristically believable performance. Adults may not be quite as enamoured, but Firehouse Dog should keep them awake to the end
It may sound like cute family entertainment, but the dog's no good - he's unappealing and looks depressed.
Even when the dog is real, he has about as much charisma as a wet sack
Firehouse Dog is credited to three writers, but not one of them seems to have a solitary spark of an idea.
OK, Letters from Iwo Jima it's not. Firehouse Dog, though, serves a purpose, and it's a purpose you'd know quite well if you had a 6-year-old.
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