Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageUnderdog (2007)
Director: Frederik Du Chau
Movie review
From Time Out London
This live action version of the 1960s cartoon uses CGI to make its canine hero talk and fly, but that’s about the only modern touch in this plodding, old-fashioned caper. Misfit mutt Shoeshine (voiced by Jason Lee) gets a dose of a chemical formula that makes him ‘Underdog’ – so dubbed by his new human pal, insipid youngster Jack (Alex Neuberger).
Jack’s equally uninspiring father (Jim Belushi) gets dragged into the drama when evil scientist Dr Barsinister (Peter Dinklage) gets wind of Underdog’s conspicuous powers, which he’s using to help people, Lassie-style. Dr Barsinister, naturally, has other plans for his formula, involving a bomb plot on the city and general world domination.
A few amusing one-liners creep into the script – boosted in no small part by Lee’s delivery – but the plot’s too derivative to deliver. Children with a fondness for pooches and a lack of movie knowledge will be well enough served, but this isn’t one of those crossover comedies that’s going to get the parents chuckling.
Author: Anna Smith
Time Out London Issue 1954: Jan 30 to Feb 5
User reviews of this film
-
- oli said...
- Posted on Mar 02 2008 12:27 it was amazin not crap
- Report as inappropriate
-
- leeches said...
- Posted on Mar 01 2008 15:04 ITS A FILM WITH A DOG IN A CAPE, WHAT MORE COULD YOU WANT OUT OF LIFE?!?!?!?
- Report as inappropriate
-
- Will+Lucy said...
- Posted on Feb 21 2008 19:22 This film looks so good-going to see it 2morrow!!!THE REVIEW LOOKS COOL...join us........xxx
- Report as inappropriate
-
- yoyoyo said...
- Posted on Feb 20 2008 16:19 this film is phat yo! it is ultra in da death zone if ya know wat im saying sayin DO NOT SEE IT OTHERWISE YOU SHALL BE MAKING THE BIGGEST MISTAKE IN YOUR LIFE!!!!
- Report as inappropriate
-
- olli moz said...
- Posted on Feb 19 2008 20:59 goin watchin tomox=z snoggs and everythin
- Report as inappropriate
-
- robyn said...
- Posted on Feb 19 2008 08:31 i am rele excited cant cant wait to go and see it cause its my birthday today 9
- Report as inappropriate
-
- moorzy said...
- Posted on Feb 14 2008 20:45 goin 2 c this film my sisters are ganna luv it!!!
- Report as inappropriate
-
- poo said...
-
Posted on Feb 13 2008 08:51
it was rubbish
do not see it - Report as inappropriate
-
- esther richards said...
- Posted on Feb 11 2008 12:58 i really want to see this film but i am going to over her dead bodey
- Report as inappropriate
-
- Matthew Dulieu said...
-
Posted on Feb 05 2008 15:52
I Think it was a great film and the dog was so cool man,
this film rocks dude!!! - Report as inappropriate
-
- suzy said...
- Posted on Feb 03 2008 15:03 Not enough cats in it
- Report as inappropriate
-
- Lynda said...
- Posted on Feb 02 2008 20:42 What a great film for kids and adults alike! There were some really funny lines. My son, my dad and I found it very enjoyable.
- Report as inappropriate
-
- goody said...
- Posted on Feb 02 2008 16:14 i loved it al
- Report as inappropriate
-
- brinniboy tom said...
- Posted on Feb 01 2008 21:32 i fink it wos a fat film the dog is wicked man
- Report as inappropriate
-
- honeybee said...
- Posted on Jan 31 2008 14:03 Brilliant film both granddaughter and myself enjoyed voices belonging to animals perfect. Some really funny moments as well as thrills and ahh moments.
- Report as inappropriate
Cast & crew
Director: Frederik Du Chau
Cast: Peter Dinklage, James Belushi, Alex Neuberger, Jason Lee
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Time Out's 101 Films of the Decade
Ten years, thousands of movies and millions of dollars in international box office, and it all boils down to this
Martin Provost discusses 'Séraphine'
Trevor Johnston talks to the director of 'Séraphine' about bringing a little known French painter back to life
Our verdict on Peter Jackson's The Lovely Bones
Peter Jackson ends a triumphant decade with a sentimental misfire with this lush Alice Sebold adaptation
On the set of Ken Loach's 'Route Irish'
Dave Calhoun meets Ken Loach on the set of his forthcoming Iraq war movie
Stephen Poliakoff discusses 'Glorious 39'
Stephen Poliakoff’s ‘Glorious 39’ is his first film for cinema since ‘Food of Love’ in 1997. Dave Calhoun met him
Is 'Paranormal Activity' the new 'Blair Witch'?
How does a film go from DIY experiment to box-office smash? 'Paranormal Activity' director Oren Peli explains
Steven Soderbergh on 'The Informant!' and 'The Girlfriend Experience'
We talk to Steven Soderbergh about his two forthcoming films: one featuring a porn star, the other a chubby Matt Damon
A gateway to all things 'New Moon'
In anticipation of 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon', Time Out is offering the chance to pick up a limited edition pack with three exclusive magazines and a free poster.
The films that deserve a TV spin-off
With Roland Emmerich suggesting he'd like to make a '2012' TV spin-off, we propose some more movie-to-TV serialisations
Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam
In celebration of the release of Pixar's 'Up' and Wes Anderson's 'Fantastic Mr Fox', read our rundown of fifty classic feature length animations
What do you think?
Post your review now