Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageThe Shaggy Dog (2006)
Director: Brian Robbins
Movie review
From Time Out London
Like a scrubbed-up werewolf film for kids, this remake of the 1959 family feature sees dog-hating Deputy DA Dave Douglas (Tim Allen) turning into a shaggy mutt at regular intervals. Scratching his ears, growling and chasing after cats may be a tad inconvenient when it comes to his court appearances, but Dave’s newfound canine status does give him a unique insight into the evil plans of Dr Kozak (Robert Downey Jr), who’s performing experiments on animals in an attempt to find the secret of eternal life. So goes the protracted plot of this comedy (the reasons for Dave’s transformation are equally pointless and best left undescribed here). Allen’s broad physical comedy is very occasionally amusing – let’s face it, kids will laugh at anyone acting like a dog – but while Downey’s greedy scientist has potential, the film’s targeting of a young audience prevents any indulgence of the darker possibilities of its conspiracy plot. The result is mediocre and unnecessarily complicated.Author: Anna Smith
Time Out London Issue 1858: March 29-April 5 2006
Cast & crew
Director: Brian Robbins
Producer: Tim Allen
Cast: Tim Allen, Kristin Davis, Zena Grey, Spencer Breslin, Jane Curtin, Shawn Pyfrom, Robert Downey Jr, Danny Glover, Philip Baker Hall, Craig Kilborn full cast
Genre(s): Action/Adventure, Children's, Comedy
Rated: U
Duration: 98 mins
UK Release: Mar 31 2006
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Has David Cronenberg turned tame?
Has director David Cronenberg veered too far from his radical and bloody roots with new film 'A Dangerous Method'?
The 10 worst date movies
Just in time for Valentine's Day, we present ten of the least romantic films ever made
Where to watch this year's Oscar-nominated films
Find out where to watch 2012's Oscar-nominated films in London cinemas
10 unlikely badboy biopics
Featuring Phil Collins, Jeremy Clarkson, Nick Clegg, David Starkey and a host of other unlikely subjects
Interview: Sean Durkin on 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'
The first-time director of the brilliant new thriller discusses religious cults and robot boxing
Pop-up cinema for Valentine's Day
Side-step romantic clichés with some alternative Valentine’s viewing
What do you think?
Post your review now