Cybermutt (2002) (TV)

Director:

George Miller

Writers:

Kevin Commins (writer)
Gerald Sanford (writer)

Release Date:

26 May 2003 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

Part Dog. Part Machine. All Best Friend.

Plot:

When Rex, a good-natured Golden Retriever, is given bionic super powers by an eccentric scientist, he becomes the target of an evil genius determined to possess the new technology at any cost. |

Plot Keywords:

Dog | Kidnapping | Bully | Single Mother | Gun

Cast

Judd Nelson	...	Alex
Ryan Cooley	...	Nino
Michelle Nolden	...	Juliet
Paulina Mielech	...	Erica
Tonio Arango	...	Temple
Joe Pingue	...	Max
Pedro Salvín	...	Rubio
Khafre Armatrading	...	Kyle (as Kafre Armatrading)
Bryon Bully	...	Bully #1
Ian Bradley-Perrin	...	Bully #2
Maureen Kirkpatrick	...	Nurse
Marie Beath Badian	...	Policewoman
David Young	...	Policeman

Also Known As:

Rex: Le cyber chien (Canada: French title)

MPAA:

Rated PG for action/peril, some mild sensuality, language and thematic elements.

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

Canada | Germany | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:PG | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Grosvenor Park Productions

Trivia:

The scene with Rex crossing a concrete bridge with a railway trestle in the background should be familiar to many fans of the Canadian rock group The Stampeders, as the bridge is where they posed for their "Carryin' On" 1971 album cover. Exact location is unknown.

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): When Alex explains to Erica how Rex is going to catch the ball in the lab, he estimates the time, from when he hits the ball to when Rex catches it, is "5.2 seconds." It then takes almost twice that long for the experiment to take place.

Movie Connections:

References Cujo (1983)

The six million dollar canine? Yes, and this film is great for families!

Juliet's tweenager son, Nino, is having a difficult time dealing with the death of his father to cancer. Nino has no friends, except his beloved dog, Rex, and he is being bullied in school, too. One day, when Juliet and Nino are out in a park, walking Rex, they meet a doctor named Alex (Judd Nelson). Alex is testing a robotic contraption and Nino is fascinated. Unexpectedly, a car comes toward them all and Rex jumps to push Dr. Alex out of the way. Rex is very seriously hurt. Dr. Alex insists that he can keep Rex alive and make him better than new, if they take him to his laboratory. Rex, with the help of Alex and his fellow doctor-fiancé, does indeed make it. Nino's retriever now has the most superior powers of a bionic dog. Yet, trouble is brewing. There may be someone out to kidnap Rex. Will Rex be snatched away from the boy who loves him? This is a nice movie for families, especially those who are partial to animal flicks. Nelson is charming as the rumpled but golden-hearted scientist. The rest of the cast is also nice, with Michelle Nolden giving a sweet performance as Juliet. Rex is a lovable and talented dog who will melt hearts as he goes from near death to superdog. The production values and costumes are fine as well. For those who love films that embrace family values, while producing chuckles and excitement, this is a great choice. Children will love the boy and his dog theme while adults will appreciate the quiet love story that emerges, too.