Beverly Hills Chihuahua

Chloe (Drew Barrymore) is a typical LA princess, lounging by the pool, having her hair done and patronising the help. But Chloe is also a dog: the beloved Chihuahua of Viv (Jamie Lee Curtis), who entrusts Chloe to her niece Rachel (Piper Perabo) while she’s away. One girls’ trip to Mexico later and Chloe is in the hands of dognappers. At this stage, most adults will be happy to leave the bitch there, but the plot demands that Chloe begins the long trip to home and wisdom (ie, don’t be rude to Mexicans because they’re poor).

So: lazy script, annoying heroines, cultural stereotypes… this should be a one-star family comedy. But there’s absurd appeal in a big musical number: a choreographed Chihuahua dance in Mayan ruins. When it acknowledges its naffness, this has the potential to be an ironic cult hit. But the sappy half of this mixed-up movie is strictly for kids.