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Hotel for Dogs (2009)

Director: Thor Freudenthal

Time Out rating

Average user rating

62 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

Strictly half-term fodder it may be, but this amiable kiddie flick delivers on its promises: you get lots of dogs doing cute stuff. The set-up has a brother and sister (Emma Roberts, Jake T Austin, Identi-Kit moppets) struggling to keep their pet Jack Russell terrier a secret from their pernickety foster parent (Lisa Kudrow, a game meanie). An abandoned downtown hotel provides an ideal bolt-hole and, they begin to plot, could offer kinder accommodation for the city’s unwanted canines than the municipal pound. With a couple of pet shop assistants facilitating transport and product-placement doggie treats, the dream becomes reality, thanks muchly to little bro’s Heath Robinson-esque contraptions keeping massed pooches fed and watered while the authorities try to work out where all the strays are.

True, there’s only the merest suggestion of an education system for these juveniles, but credibility’s secondary when you’ve got lots of dogs doing cute stuff. There’s a treadmill for automated walkies, a canine-operated ball thrower, while bodily functions are catered for by production-line poop-scooping. A whole spectrum of breeds, shapes and sizes supply the aww-factor (pugs with aerobics headbands), but there’s some welcome emotional underpinning too, since the foster kids need a good home as much as their four-legged friends. Enter Don Cheadle as a kindly social services officer: when they start giving actors awards for films they’d rather leave off their CVs, he’ll be up there on the podium.

Author: Trevor Johnston 2009-02-10 11:24:17

Time Out London Issue 2008, 12 -18 February, 2008

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User reviews of this film

Sandie said...

Posted on Feb 21 2009 18:07 Fab film for all you dog lovers out there! Suitable for all ages.

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lauren yeah man said...

Posted on Feb 21 2009 11:16 going today to watch it how sad am I 18 and going to watch hotel for dogs ha but looks good whoop
im going to watch it today taking my little brothers it best be good if I'm sat all he way threw a cartoon film they do my head in but I have heard this Is ment to be funny so I have booked the tickets

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Jennifer said...

Posted on Feb 21 2009 11:04 i going to see it today lol

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rachel said...

Posted on Feb 20 2009 21:20 its dead dead goooooood!
i loved it and so did my mum & sister.
id watch it again and again like.
id advise anyone to go and see it to be honest.
its fabbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb,
if anyone posts a bad comment about it.
there just pure not telling the truth.
sooo yer its legend,
and bolt's a good film to!

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Carmen said...

Posted on Feb 20 2009 15:57 Its one of the best film about dogs! LOVE IT AND ITS SO FUNNY! Have to watch it! WOULD DEFINITELY RECORDMEND THIS TO EVERYONE!!!!!

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Tavnaya said...

Posted on Feb 20 2009 03:06 I've Seen The Preview Nd Me And My Lil Cousin An dBest Fwend Are Goin To Watch It Today..

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Laura said...

Posted on Feb 19 2009 12:59 I Might Be Going To See This Today With My Best Mate, I've Seen The Advertising For It And It Looks Really Good! What Do You Think Is The Most Appropriate Age For This Film? Comment Bak. xx

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hannah said...

Posted on Feb 19 2009 10:18 it looks really gd im goin to see it today hehe.xxxxxxxxxxxx.

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emma said...

Posted on Feb 19 2009 09:38 goin to see today it looks really good an funny

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hopeyxx said...

Posted on Feb 17 2009 19:21 omg u guys go with ure mum lol im goin on a doulbe date me nd my bf charlie nd my m8 rachel nd her bf harry nd this film look wiked cant wait too seee itt!!!!!

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dantheman said...

Posted on Feb 17 2009 17:39 is pink panther 2 better

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Francesca xxx said...

Posted on Feb 17 2009 17:17 have'nt seen this film but i might see it tomorow from wot ive read it also looks funny and great for children

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georgiia said...

Posted on Feb 17 2009 13:35 cnt wayt to see it 2moraa wiid me mum iitt lukss well aicce dnt iit wooohooo lol lmaoo xoxoxoxoxx

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Scarlett Shaw said...

Posted on Feb 16 2009 17:59 Not seen the film yet but lil cuz says that it os brill
cant wait to see it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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KATIE 'N' ELLIE said...

Posted on Feb 16 2009 14:57 Its gdgd

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