Underdog (2007)

Director:

Frederik Du Chau

Writers (WGA):

Adam Rifkin (screenplay) and
Joe Piscatella (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

3 August 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Family | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

One Nation, Under Dog.

Plot:

A lab accident gives a hound named Shoeshine some serious superpowers -- a secret that the dog eventually shares with the young boy who becomes his owner and friend.

Plot Keywords:

Dog | Mad Scientist | Security Guard | Widower | Superhero

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

Jason Lee	...	Underdog (voice)
Peter Dinklage	...	Dr. Simon Barsinister
James Belushi	...	Dan Unger (as Jim Belushi)
Patrick Warburton	...	Cad
Alex Neuberger	...	Jack
Taylor Momsen	...	Molly
John Slattery	...	Mayor
Amy Adams	...	Polly (voice)
Brad Garrett	...	Riff Raff (voice)
Samantha Bee	...	Principal
Timothy Crowe	...	Police Chief
Larry Vigus	...	Security Guard
Mario Mariani	...	Police Officer
Bates Wilder	...	Cop
Alexander 'Alex' Garde	...	Small Boy

MPAA:

Rated PG for rude humor, mild language and action.

Runtime:

USA:84 min | Argentina:84 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Singapore:PG | Hong Kong:I | Argentina:Atp | South Korea:All | Ireland:PG | UK:U | Germany:6 | Canada:G (all jurisdictions) | USA:PG (certificate #43454) | South Africa:PG | Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Providence, Rhode Island, USA

Company:

Have No Fear Productions

Trivia:

References to the original cartoon series include: - Secret identity as "humble and lovable Shoeshine Boy" - love interest "Sweet Polly Purebread" - speaking in rhyme - causing significant property damage during rescues - pill as source of super powers - changing into costume in exploding phone booth - explaining to crowd that he is "not plane, nor bird, nor even frog, just little old me: Underdog".

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: Early in the movie, when the mailman is taunting Shoeshine, he is seen driving an older style jeep DJ5. All post offices now use a Grumman LLV which was put into service in 1987.

Quotes:

Small Boy: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird.
Woman: It's a plane.
Man: It's a frog.
Crowd: A frog?
Shoeshine Boy: It's not a bird, or a plane, or even frog. It's just little old me, Underdog.

Movie Connections:

Edited from "Underdog" (1964)

Soundtrack:

Underdog Theme

Film Tribute to a Humble Hero

I enjoyed this movie. Laughed, and yes, nearly cried. Wonderful to see the existential hero of a great film, "The Station Agent", playing Simon Bar Sinister to the hilt. Good acting. Human actors stood up well against the dog actors, who are known to upstage humans mercilessly. Also, one notable cat actor. Adequately plotted script, with hilarious dialogue. This movie is about a dog--a special dog. As if beagles weren't special enough without genetic enhancement, this beagle (voiced by Jason Lee with absolute sincerity, wit and insouciance) is burdened with super-hero gifts and responsibilities. Jim Belushi is the good dad, playing it straight and steady amidst general mayhem. Also nice examples of sensitive community police-work in this movie.

Probably the most memorable thing for me this viewing (oh yeah, I'm going to see it again!!) is the special puff-of-smoke pattern, true to the original cartoon, that Underdog generates when he accelerates into full flight after hovering in the sky.