325. Clifford The Big Red Dog; movie review

 

 

CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG

Cert PG

96 mins

BBFC advice: Contains mild bad language, violence

Sunday afternoon in the winter and watching a traditional family film took me back to my childhood and then, in later life, watching movies with our kids.

Clifford The Big Red Dog is harmless, cutesy entertainment.

It won't stretch minds but neither does it intend to. But I suspect that dog-lovers will love the tiny Labrador pup-turned-giant.

Walt Becker's picture is based on the successful series of children's books by Norman Bridwell who is actually portrayed in the film by John Cleese.

His mysterious tent for rescued animals sets up opposite to the apartment block of Emily (Darby Camp) and her stressed mum (Sienna Guillory).

Emily faces the double-whammy of anxiety over starting a new school and being handed over to her hopeless uncle (Jack Whitehall) while her mum is away for a couple of days.

She pleads with him to visit the rescue animals and falls for the gorgeous red puppy who stows away in her schoolbag.

This would be problematic enough but chaos ensues after he has grown into the size of a hippo by the next morning.

Camp is an endearing and energetic lead and Whitehall is a suitably eccentric foil.

Meanwhile, the pantomime needs a villain and he emerges as the boss of a genetics firm, played with requisite dean pan delivery by Tony Hale.

The computer-animation is rather juddery but it doesn't detract too much from the fun of the film which children will enjoy and will remind parents of movies of their youth.

I guess the word I am looking for is wholesome.

Reasons to watch: Easygoing family entertainment

Reasons to avoid: Jarring computer animation

Laughs: One

Jumps: None

Vomit: Yes

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 6/10

Did you know? Norman Bridwell was told over and over again that he was never going to make it as an illustrator; his pictures of dogs were too ordinary and boring. 

The final word. John Cleese: "My [thoughts on the] script was, if this comes from Jordan Kerner, then I have to read it. I like him hugely and I think he produces most delightful films -- classy family films, which is an interesting combination. So I read it, and I thought, 'this would be lovely to play.'" Comic Book

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